Manufacturing Engineer – Soldering & Wave (THT Assembly)

Variosystems Inc•Southlake, TX

3h•Onsite

About The Position

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining soldering processes in electronic assembly, with a focus on through-hole technology (THT), wave soldering, and manual soldering operations. This role ensures high-quality, cost-effective, and reliable production while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and compliance with industry standards.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering or Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3–7+ years in electronics manufacturing engineering
Strong experience with: Wave soldering (critical), Through-hole (THT) processes, Manual / selective soldering
Experience in high-mix, low-to-medium volume manufacturing preferred
Deep knowledge of: IPC standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001), Solder alloys: lead-free, SnPb, HMP, Flux types and thermal profiling
Ability to use: Statistical tools (SPC, DOE, Minitab), Failure analysis tools (microscopy, X-ray, cross-sectioning)
Familiarity with MES/ERP systems and process documentation tools
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
Excellent communication across production, quality, and engineering teams
Ability to lead cross-functional improvement efforts
Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and compliance

Nice To Haves

IPC certification (CIT or CIS)
Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt or higher)
Experience with selective soldering and conformal coating processes
Familiarity with automated inspection (AOI, AXI)

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and maintain wave soldering processes, including fluxing, preheat, and solder pot parameters
Establish and optimize manual and selective soldering processes
Assist creation of process documentation (work instructions, control plans, PFMEA)
Define and control critical process parameters (temperature profiles, conveyor speed, dwell time, flux density)
Lead process validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ)
Ensure compliance with IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and internal quality standards
Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions (8D, PFMEA updates) for solder defects such as: Bridges, Voids, Insufficient fill, Cold solder joints
Monitor yield, scrap, and rework metrics; implement improvements
Support customer audits and internal quality audits
Specify and qualify wave solder machines and related equipment
Support preventive maintenance programs for soldering equipment
Select and validate fixtures, pallets, carriers, and masking tools
Work with suppliers on solder alloys (lead-free, SnPb, HMP) and flux chemistries
Lead process improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen)
Reduce defects, improve first-pass yield, and lower operational costs
Optimize thermal profiles and minimize solder consumption
Implement automation or semi-automation where applicable
Define soldering strategies for new products
Conduct trial builds and process validation
Ensure compliance with RoHS, REACH, and environmental regulations
Maintain safe handling of solder materials, fluxes, and chemicals
Enforce ESD and safety protocols in production areas