PCBA DFM Engineer

Etched is building hardware for frontier intelligence. We co-design chips, racks, software, and manufacturing to deliver best-in-class throughput and latency across both prefill and decode workloads. Our first products are heavily focused on inference. Backed by hundreds of millions from top-tier investors and staffed by leading engineers, Etched is redefining the infrastructure layer for the fastest growing industry in history.

We are seeking a PCBA Design for Manufacturing (DFM) Engineer to ensure our next generation of hardware is designed for reliable, scalable manufacturing. You will bring manufacturing expertise into the design process, resolve risks before boards are released, and establish the design rules, documentation, and review practices that support successful production ramps.

You will work closely with Electrical Engineering, PCB Layout, Mechanical, Thermal, Power, Test, and Manufacturing teams to prepare products for production across our internal SMT operation and external manufacturing partners. The ideal candidate combines strong PCBA manufacturing knowledge with disciplined documentation, clear technical communication, and practical experience using AI tools to improve engineering workflows.

• Own PCBA DFM reviews: Lead manufacturability reviews from early design through production release, evaluating component placement, footprints, spacing, solderability, assembly access, inspection coverage, and rework feasibility.

• Drive manufacturing risks to closure: Translate review findings into actionable design changes, establish owners and deadlines, and verify implementation before builds and production release.

• Establish manufacturing guidelines: Develop and maintain DFM rules, checklists, and review milestones that reflect the capabilities of internal SMT operations and external manufacturing partners.

• Maintain engineering documentation: Keep review records, issue trackers, design decisions, manufacturing requirements, and lessons learned accurate, version-controlled, and easy to retrieve.

• Support manufacturing readiness: Partner with design and process engineering teams to identify assembly challenges early, distinguish design limitations from process development needs, and prepare products for repeatable production at volume.

• Collaborate with manufacturing partners: Evaluate supplier DFM feedback, resolve technical questions, and align manufacturing requirements across internal operations and contract manufacturers.

• Support prototype and NPI builds: Investigate design-related assembly issues and incorporate findings into subsequent board revisions, manufacturing guidelines, and future products.

• Improve yield and manufacturing cost: Use build results, inspection data, and failure analysis to reduce recurring defects, late design changes, board respins, scrap, and rework.

• Improve testability and inspection coverage: Partner with Test Engineering to address test access, design-for-test requirements, and inspection limitations before production release.

• Apply AI and automation to engineering workflows: Use AI tools to develop technical reports, summarize DFM and build findings, and create lightweight applications for documentation, issue tracking, and data analysis. Validate outputs for technical accuracy and protect sensitive engineering information.

• A degree in electrical, mechanical, manufacturing, or materials engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

• Experience in PCBA DFM, manufacturing engineering, or hardware NPI, with direct involvement in moving complex electronics from design into production.

• Strong understanding of SMT assembly processes, including stencil design, solder paste printing, component placement, reflow, inspection, and rework.

• Experience reviewing PCB layouts, component footprints, assembly drawings, bills of materials, and manufacturing release packages.

• Knowledge of manufacturability challenges associated with high-density assemblies, fine-pitch components, and large BGA packages.

• The ability to distinguish issues that require design changes from those that can be addressed through manufacturing process development.

• Strong documentation and organizational skills, including managing revision history, tracking reviews and action items through closure, and producing clear technical reports for engineering and business stakeholders.

• Practical experience using AI tools for technical…