Lead SMT Process Engineer

About the role

You will own the end to end development of Northwood's in house printed circuit board assembly capability, translating high level system requirements into a repeatable, scalable manufacturing process. This role requires you to define the complete SMT process architecture, from solder paste printing through final inspection, while establishing the standards, documentation, and controls that ensure consistent quality. You will act as the primary process authority for all board level assembly, driving decisions that impact manufacturability, reliability, and production throughput. You will partner closely with Electrical Engineering to embed design for manufacturing principles into the hardware definition, ensuring that each design is optimized for assembly and test. In this hands on leadership position, you will move fluidly between equipment selection, factory layout, process validation, and team development to deliver a production ready PCB assembly operation. Your work will directly determine how quickly Northwood can iterate, scale, and deliver critical communication infrastructure to customers in the aerospace, defense, and connectivity sectors. If you thrive on building complex manufacturing systems from the ground up and seeing your processes power real space missions, this role offers the opportunity to have immediate and visible impact.

Key facts

What you'll do

Define the end to end SMT and PCB assembly process for prototype, qualification, and production volumes, ensuring alignment with program schedules and quality targets.

Develop detailed work instructions, process flows, control plans, and training materials that standardize assembly activities across multiple shifts and operators.

Establish data capture and traceability practices so that every board lot can be tracked through inspection, test, and field performance using systems such as Manufacturo.

Lead the design and implementation of the physical PCB assembly area, optimizing layout for material flow, operator ergonomics, and future production scalability.

Specify, evaluate, and install SMT line equipment, including pick and place machines, solder paste printers, reflow ovens, and inline inspection systems.

Select and integrate inspection and test equipment, such as automated optical inspection, X-ray inspection, and functional test fixtures, to ensure defect detection at the appropriate process step.

Define and implement ESD/anti static control programs, including workstation setup, grounding verification, and handling procedures for sensitive components.

Create processes for solder paste printing, component placement, reflow soldering, post soldering inspection, hand assembly, rework, and repair that balance speed with first time quality.

Partner with Supply Chain to qualify and approve incoming materials, ensuring that bare boards, components, and consumables meet defined specifications and traceability requirements.

Drive root cause analysis for yield losses, quality escapes, and process deviations, implementing corrective and preventive actions to sustain high throughput and reliability.

Establish production readiness criteria and conduct formal reviews before launching new products, verifying that equipment, materials, personnel, and documentation are in place.

Lead the hiring, training, and development of manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, and technicians, fostering a culture of safety, precision, and continuous improvement.

Integrate manufacturing requirements with MRP and MES platforms to synchronize production schedules, material availability, and process data across teams.

Champion continuous improvement initiatives that reduce assembly cycle time, improve first pass yield, and enhance long term process capability and robustness.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a closely related technical field.

Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in PCB assembly, SMT process engineering, or electronics manufacturing roles with increasing responsibility.

Demonstrated history of developing and scaling SMT or PCB assembly processes in a production environment, from initial capability ramp to mature operations.

Hands on experience with a range of PCB assembly equipment, including pick and place systems, solder paste printers, reflow ovens, and bench tools.

Proven ability to create detailed manufacturing documentation, including standards, work instructions, process maps, and acceptance criteria for assembly operations.

Track record of collaborating with cross functional teams, especially Electrical Engineering, to enable design for manufacturing, DFM, and production yield improvements.

Strong understanding of ESD control programs, electronics manufacturing quality requirements, and operator workflow design to ensure safe and efficient production.

Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as required to meet production milestones and support program delivery.

Ability to perform hands on work in a manufacturing setting while simultaneously leading process development and team activities.

Nice to have

Prior experience standing up a new PCB assembly line or manufacturing area from scratch, including site preparation and workflow definition.

Demonstrated success selecting, specifying, and implementing SMT production equipment and associated infrastructure such as handling, cooling, and compressed air systems.

Experience integrating manufacturing processes with MES or MRP systems such as Manufacturo, ensuring that production data, traceability, and quality records are synchronized in real time.

Working knowledge of IPC standards such as IPC A 610 and J STD 001, and familiarity with related electronics manufacturing requirements and acceptance criteria.

History of hiring, training, and leading technicians, supervisors, and manufacturing engineers in a fast paced, mission critical environment.

Strong expertise in yield improvement, defect reduction, and structured root cause analysis techniques such as eight disciplines or similar methodologies.

Comfort operating in a dynamic setting where processes, products, factory systems, and team structures are being built in parallel while supporting ongoing production.

Practical notes

This role requires being on site 5 days per week.

Extended hours and weekend work may be required during critical production ramp periods and program milestones.