Electrical Manufacturing Engineer

Electrical Manufacturing Engineer

This role focuses on driving robust, efficient, and high-quality electronics manufacturing processes from design review through full production. The Electrical Manufacturing Engineer reviews customer designs for manufacturability, develops and optimizes SMT processes, leads new product introductions, and ensures that all assemblies meet industry workmanship standards. The engineer works closely with production, quality, test, and supply chain teams, spending significant time on the production floor to troubleshoot issues, improve yields, and maintain accurate process documentation.

• Own design-for-manufacturing (DFM) and design-for-assembly (DFA) reviews of incoming customer designs, including gerber files, bills of materials (BOMs), and assembly drawings, to identify and resolve issues before production release.
• Develop, optimize, and maintain SMT process parameters such as stencil design, solder paste printing settings, reflow oven profiles, and pick-and-place programming to ensure consistent, high-quality builds.
• Convert engineering bills of materials (EBOMs) into manufacturing BOMs, including the creation and maintenance of detailed work instructions, routers, and traveler documentation.
• Lead New Product Introduction (NPI) builds from first article through production ramp, ensuring smooth transitions into stable, repeatable manufacturing processes.
• Set up, program, and maintain automated optical inspection (AOI) and solder paste inspection (SPI) systems, and use inspection data to drive first-pass-yield improvements.
• Troubleshoot SMT and assembly line issues in real time, including component placement defects, solder joint failures, and test escapes, to minimize downtime and scrap.
• Support test engineering activities by assisting with in-circuit test (ICT) and functional test fixture bring-up, debug, and process integration.
• Perform structured root cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for quality escapes, customer returns, and recurring process issues.
• Ensure all manufacturing processes and assemblies comply with applicable IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 workmanship standards.
• Coordinate with quality, purchasing, and production planning teams to address component sourcing challenges, obsolescence, substitutions, and related process impacts.
• Maintain, update, and improve process documentation, work instructions, control plans, and related manufacturing records to reflect current best practices.
• Support scheduling and execution of equipment calibration and preventive maintenance for SMT lines and electronic test equipment to maintain process stability and compliance.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or an equivalent technical discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience in a related field.
• At least 3 years of manufacturing engineering experience in a PCB assembly or electronics contract manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting electronic schematics, gerber files, BOMs, and assembly drawings.
• Working knowledge of SMT equipment, including pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, automated optical inspection (AOI), and solder paste inspection (SPI) systems.
• Familiarity with IPC standards, specifically IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, and their application to electronics manufacturing processes.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve component placement issues, solder defects, and test-related problems on the production floor.
• Demonstrated root-cause problem-solving ability, including use of structured methods for analysis and corrective action.
• Comfort working directly on the production floor as well as in an office setting, with flexibility to split time between hands-on process work and documentation or analysis.

• Experience in a low-to-mid volume, high-mix electronics contract manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to ERP or MRP systems for BOM management, work order routing, and manufacturing data control.
• Test fixture design or debug experience, including in-circuit test (ICT) and functional test systems.
• Familiarity with wave soldering and selective soldering processes and their associated process controls.
• Exposure to lean manufacturing principles or Six Sigma methodologies for continuous improvement.
• IPC certifications such as Certified IPC Trainer (CIT) or Certified Interconnect Designer (CID) are a plus.

The role follows a daytime schedule, typically working either 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., providing some flexibility within standard business hours. The position involves a balanced mix of production floor and desk-based work, with approximately half of the time spent on the manufacturing floor and, at times, up to about 60% dedicated to hands-on floor activities.

The engineer regularly interacts with SMT lines, including pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, AOI and SPI systems, as well as…