Lead SMT Process Engineer

Northwood Space•Los Angeles, CA

7d•$100,000 - $175,000•Onsite

About The Position

Northwood is a modern space infrastructure company bringing the benefits of space to the masses through advanced communications technology. We are building a global network of phased array ground stations that enable real-time, reliable communication for satellite missions such as national security, global connectivity, and disaster response. With a vertically integrated approach, Northwood designs, builds, and rapidly deploys scalable systems that power the next generation of space missions. If you like solving complex challenges and seeing your work deployed around the world with real impact, Northwood is the place to do it. We are seeking a Lead SMT Process Engineer to build and scale our in-house PCB assembly capability. This person will be responsible for developing the full board assembly process, defining assembly standards, standing up the PCB assembly area, and building the team required to execute it. You will work cross-functionally with Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Production to ensure our electronics manufacturing capability is robust, scalable, and tightly integrated into overall factory operations and systems. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can move fluidly between process development, factory buildout, equipment selection, production readiness, and team building.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
6+ years of experience in PCB assembly, SMT process engineering, electronics manufacturing, or related manufacturing roles
Experience developing and scaling SMT or PCB assembly processes in a production environment
Experience with PCB assembly equipment, inspection methods, and rework processes
Experience creating manufacturing documentation, standards, and process controls
Experience working cross-functionally with design engineering on DFM for electronics assemblies
Strong understanding of ESD controls, electronics manufacturing quality requirements, and operator workflow design

Nice To Haves

Experience standing up a new PCB assembly line or manufacturing area from scratch
Experience selecting and implementing SMT production equipment and supporting infrastructure
Experience integrating manufacturing processes with MES/MRP systems such as Manufacturo
Familiarity with IPC standards such as IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and related electronics manufacturing requirements
Experience hiring, training, and leading technicians, supervisors, and manufacturing engineers
Strong problem-solving skills with experience in yield improvement, defect reduction, and root cause analysis
Comfortable in a fast-paced environment where processes, products, and factory systems are being built in parallel

Responsibilities

Develop and own the in-house SMT and PCB assembly manufacturing process from prototype through production
Define process standards for board assembly, inspection, rework, traceability, quality control, and workmanship
Establish how PCB assembly workflows, quality data, and production tracking integrate with Manufacturo and broader manufacturing systems
Lead the design and buildout of the PCB assembly area, including layout, material flow, operator flow, and future production scaling considerations
Specify, source, and implement equipment and infrastructure required for PCB assembly, including: SMT line equipment, Inspection tools, Rework tools, ESD/anti-static controls, Benches, tooling, fixtures, and storage, Power, cooling, compressed air, and other facility needs
Develop manufacturing processes for solder paste printing, pick-and-place, reflow, inspection, hand assembly, rework, and repair
Create process documentation including work instructions, process flows, training materials, control plans, and acceptance criteria
Define quality standards and inspection methodologies for assembled boards
Partner with Electrical Engineers to drive DFM/DFT for PCBAs, improving manufacturability, yield, reliability, and testability
Identify and resolve process issues, yield losses, and quality escapes through structured root cause analysis and continuous improvement
Build and lead the PCB assembly organization, including hiring and developing manufacturing engineers, production supervisors, and technicians
Establish training systems and production readiness standards for PCB assembly operators and technicians
Drive ramp readiness for new products and ongoing improvements for cost, throughput, and quality