SMT Process Engineer
Posted
Description
Job Title: SMT Process Engineer
Location: On-Site in Windber, PA
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
About Us
For over 40 years, Kitron Group has been leading the way in manufacturing and assembly of electronics for daily use around the world. Our focus on the values of Commitment, Innovation, and Engagement has enabled us to become a leading global electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company. Our U.S.-based facility, Kitron Technologies, is continuing to expand and add to our team.
Why Work for Us?
At Kitron, we have a team of highly-skilled and trained colleagues. Working for us means you get access to ongoing learning and development opportunities, as well as our industry-leading benefits offerings, such as:
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employee-Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-paid life insurance, short term disability, and long term disability
- 401(k) with company match
- 9/80 work schedule
- Additional voluntary benefits
Hear from a Kitron Employee
Check out the link below to learn directly from one of Kitron's tenured employees about her experience working for the company.
Hint: She talks directly to candidates near the end of the video! Click here or copy and paste into your browser:
About the Role
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES/ FUNCTIONS
New Product Introduction
· Lead manufacturing readiness activities for new customer programs from quotation through production launch.
· Conduct DFM, DFA, DFT, and broader DFX reviews to identify manufacturing risks and optimization opportunities.
· Review Gerber, ODB++, IPC-2581, CAD, BOM, fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, and customer specifications.
· Develop manufacturing process flows, equipment strategies, and production plans for new assemblies.
· Participate in customer design reviews and provide technical manufacturing recommendations.
· Lead prototype, first article, pilot, and pre-production builds.
· Drive successful transfer of products from development into full-rate manufacturing
SMT Process Engineering
· Own SMT manufacturing processes including solder paste printing, SPI, placement, reflow, AOI, AXI, and post-reflow inspection.
· Develop and optimize process parameters to improve yield, throughput, quality, and operational efficiency.
· Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions for process, quality, and equipment issues.
· Support stencil design, solder paste optimization, component placement strategies, and reflow process development.
· Perform and analyze thermal profiling to ensure robust soldering processes.
· Establish process controls, validation plans, and manufacturing standards.
SMT Programming and Equipment Optimization
· Develop, optimize, and maintain programs for SMT production equipment.
· Support Fuji, Universal Instruments, and related SMT platforms.
· Improve line balancing, placement efficiency, utilization, and throughput performance.
· Support integration of new equipment, software, automation technologies, and inspection systems.
· Develop best practices for machine programming and setup reduction.
Manufacturing Systems and Data Analysis
· Utilize MES, ERP, and manufacturing systems to drive process improvements.
· Support Aegis FactoryLogix and equipment communication systems.
· Analyze manufacturing data and KPIs to identify opportunities for quality, productivity, and cost improvements.
· Develop reports, dashboards, and performance metrics to guide operational decision-making.
· Partner with IT and manufacturing teams to improve equipment connectivity and data collection capabilities.
Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
· Lead Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
· Drive reductions in defects, scrap, downtime, and cycle time.
· Implement mistake-proofing, process controls, and best manufacturing practices.
· Support capacity planning, labor efficiency improvements, and automation projects.
· Champion a culture of data-driven problem solving and operational excellence.
Cross-Functional Leadership
· Serve as the technical liaison between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Customers.
· Support customer audits, technical reviews, and escalations.
· Mentor technicians, operators, and junior engineers.
· Provide technical leadership during product launches and manufacturing challenges.
· Support strategic growth initiatives and manufacturing scalability efforts.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
· Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent combination of education and relevant SMT manufacturing experience.
· 7+ years of SMT manufacturing experience with increasing levels of technical responsibility.
· Demonstrated experience leading NPI activities in an EMS or electronics manufacturing environment.
· Strong knowledge of SMT processes including printing, placement, reflow, AOI, SPI, AXI, and process validation.
· Experience with SMT machine programming and optimization.
· Strong understanding of PCB fabrication, assembly documentation, and manufacturing data.
· Proven problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
· Ability to work independently and lead cross-functional projects.
Preferred Qualifications
· Fuji and/or Universal Instruments programming expertise.
· PARMI and/or Saki inspection experience.
· Aegis FactoryLogix MES experience.
· IPC-A-610, IPC-7711/7721, IPC-CID, or related certifications.
· Experience supporting aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments.
· Lean Six Sigma certification.
· Experience implementing automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
· Customer-facing engineering experience.
· Valid U.S. Passport.
Typical working conditions at Kitron are indoors, safe, well lit, temperature controlled, low exposure to noxious fumes or offensive odors, clean and sanitary conditions with average light industrial noise. Production areas have machinery with moving parts. Static dissipative smock, and shoes are required. Offices with locking doors, meeting rooms, and common printing areas are well lit, clean, low noise, and temperature controlled with no exposure to noxious fumes or offensive odors.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stand
- Walk
- Sit
- Climb
- Stoop/Kneel
- Crouch/Crawl
- Talk/Hear/Comprehend English
- Vision -- Near Far Color
- Dexterity -- Fingers Manual
- Lift/Carry without assistance
- Arm/Hand Steadiness
Pre-Employment Requirements
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screening. These screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and help us maintain a safe and secure workplace.
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and pre-employment drug screening. These screenings are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and help us maintain a safe and secure workplace.
Statements
Kitron is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). EEO policies cover all employees and employment programs, management practices and decisions to include recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, training and career development, benefits, and separation. All employees and applicants for employment shall be given fair treatment and equal employment opportunity regardless of their race, color, religion, age (40 and over), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or other prohibited non-merit factors.
Kitron Technologies is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Kitron will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 814-467-9779.
The employee must be able to perform the essential job duties/functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Kitron is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). EEO policies cover all employees and employment programs, management practices and decisions to include recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, training and career development, benefits, and separation. All employees and applicants for employment shall be given fair treatment and equal employment opportunity regardless of their race, color, religion, age (40 and over), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or other prohibited non-merit factors.
Kitron Technologies is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Kitron will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources at 814-467-9779.
The employee must be able to perform the essential job duties/functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.