Sr. Process / Manufacturing Engineer (SMT)

J.W. Speaker•Germantown, WI

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. SMT Process / Manufacturing Engineer serves as a technical leader within our electronics manufacturing operation, partnering closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Supply Chain to bring new products from concept through production. This role is responsible for ensuring designs are manufacturable, scalable, and capable of meeting safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives. In addition to supporting new product development (NPD), you'll lead process optimization initiatives across our SMT operation, analyzing performance data, reducing defects and scrap, improving cycle times, and evaluating new technologies that enhance manufacturing capability. This position combines strategic project leadership with hands-on engineering work, making it ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges while influencing the future direction of manufacturing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
8+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably SMT
Strong background in new product introduction
Strong background in Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
Strong background in process optimization
Strong background in continuous improvement
Ability to identify opportunities to improve quality, throughput, and cost
Experience with SMT manufacturing processes and equipment
Understanding of solder paste printing, component placement, reflow, inspection, and process controls
Data-driven problem solver
Ability to influence cross-functional teams
Ability to drive improvements
Ability to support decisions related to process changes, capital equipment, and new technologies

Nice To Haves

Experience in SMT manufacturing

Responsibilities

Collaborating, leading, defining, and implementing design for manufacturing principles on new and current product initiatives cross-functionally to improve Safety, Quality, Delivery, or Cost.
Defining equipment, tooling, and fixturing scope leading internal and/or external suppliers to ensure success on new and current product.
Addressing product and process design gaps through Engineering Change Notifications (ECNs), Deviations (DEVs), and Process Change Notifications (PCNs) to promote quality, continuous improvement, and countermeasures.
Defining, developing, and implementing critical quality controls using PFMEA thinking and verification techniques to support current and new product development (NPD).
Actively participating in the NPD process representing SMT as a core team member.
Researching, testing, and implementing the latest manufacturing technologies to improve safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Coaching or leading PDCA problem-solving to drive zone improvement in safety, quality, delivery, and cost.
Spearheading the development and implementation of Lean manufacturing strategies to improve efficiency and flow in the zone.
Coaching and leading process improvement teams on analysis and implementation while maintaining documentation to eliminate non-value-added processes.
Defining critical project criteria and plans to recommend process improvements with payback justifications.
Working with zones to support improvements from the top down; mentoring associates driving improvements from the bottom up.
Directing and assisting technicians with setup, modification, programming, and validation of process equipment and production lines to support current and new product.
Ensuring product and process designs promote a sustainable quality output within a safe working environment that meets delivery expectations.
Developing technical competency in areas of specialization.
Sharing knowledge and supporting other engineers and technicians on more complex problems or improvements.
Working with the entire team to standardize and share J.W.S. and industry best practices.