NPI Manufacturing Engineer - AI Compute Hardware

MatX•Mountain View, CA

5d•$160,000 - $600,000•Hybrid

About The Position

MatX is building next-generation AI compute infrastructure for large-scale LLM training and inference. We’re looking for an experienced, hands-on NPI Manufacturing Engineer to lead our AI chip, compute tray, and rack-scale platform into manufacturing including owning process development, factory readiness, and production ramp. You’ll work closely with hardware, mechanical, product engineering, quality, supply chain, test, and JDM/ODM partners to build robust manufacturing processes that scale repeatably and efficiently at high volume.

Requirements

5+ years of NPI or manufacturing engineering experience (PCB, server, AI compute, networking, or electronics hardware), with a proven track record taking complex products through EVT, DVT, PVT, and production ramp
Strong hands-on understanding of electronics manufacturing and SMT processes, including stencil design, solder paste, reflow, placement, soldering, SPI, AOI, and X-ray inspection
Experience developing and qualifying manufacturing processes for complex, high-layer-count PCB assemblies, with strong understanding of DFM, DFA, and DFT from a manufacturing perspective
Experience developing and implementing manufacturing test processes, fixtures, and production test stations
Experience with manufacturing yield analysis and root cause methodologies (defect tracking, 8D, FMEA, fishbone), plus SPC, process capability analysis, and Cpk
Hands-on experience working with JDM/ODM/CM manufacturing partners (process reviews, first article builds, qualification), strong understanding of manufacturing BOMs, ECO implementation, and AVL/component changes, and familiarity with PLM/MES tools (Arena, Agile, or equivalent)
Experience with ESD, packaging, handling, and cleanliness requirements for sensitive electronics, and strong cross-functional collaboration skills across product engineering, hardware, mechanical, supply chain, quality, test, and manufacturing teams

Nice To Haves

Experience with high-power AI accelerator or GPU server manufacturing, including high-current/high-power PCB assemblies
Familiarity with liquid cooling assembly, leak testing, and coolant handling
Experience with OCP Open Rack or rack-scale system manufacturing, including system-level rack integration and production testing
Familiarity with JTAG/boundary scan production testing and experience with automated manufacturing test systems
Experience with high-volume production ramp and factory capacity planning
Knowledge of IPC-A-610, IPC-6012, IPC-7711/7721, or related manufacturing standards
Experience implementing SPC and automated manufacturing data collection

Responsibilities

Own manufacturing NPI from EVT through DVT and PVT, driving manufacturing readiness at each stage gate, and lead manufacturing first article builds and process qualification with JDM/ODM partners
Develop and maintain manufacturing process flows, assembly procedures, work instructions, travelers, and production documentation, partnering with product and hardware engineering to resolve manufacturing-related DFM/DFT/DFA issues
Lead SMT process development and optimization (stencil design, solder paste, reflow profile, placement validation, solder quality), and develop/qualify manufacturing processes for complex PCB, compute tray, and rack-level assemblies
Define and implement production tooling, fixtures, assembly equipment, and manufacturing test fixtures, and develop/optimize manufacturing test processes (ICT, functional test, boundary scan, system-level production test) with test and diagnostics engineering
Own manufacturing process yield and continuous improvement — defect tracking, Pareto analysis, process capability, root cause analysis, corrective actions — and establish/monitor SPC and process controls for critical operations to reduce scrap, rework, and cycle time
Manage manufacturing implementation of ECOs and BOM changes, work with supply chain and manufacturing partners on alternate component qualification and production continuity, and define manufacturing requirements for ESD, packaging, handling, cleanliness, and material control
Support manufacturing capacity planning and production ramp (line capacity, tooling, labor, process capability), maintain manufacturing/NPI documentation (specs, travelers, test procedures, quality records), and drive the transition from NPI to mass production, ensuring processes are stable, capable, and scalable with yield and capacity targets met