SMT / PCBA Assembly Technologist

We are looking for an experienced SMT / PCBA Assembly Technologist to support the manufacturing and assembly of complex electronic boards through external assembly contractors.

This role is intended for a candidate with strong hands-on knowledge of PCBA assembly processes, SMT manufacturing, soldering quality, process controls, inspection methods, and production documentation. The company does not operate an internal SMT line, so the technologist will act as the technical authority and interface between engineering, quality, supply chain, and the external PCBA assembly contractor.

The position requires practical manufacturing experience, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to identify assembly risks before and during production.

Main Responsibilities

Contractor Manufacturing Support

• Serve as the company’s technical focal point for PCBA assembly at external manufacturing contractors.
• Review and approve contractor assembly processes, work instructions, tooling, inspection methods, and process controls.
• Support NPI builds, prototype assemblies, engineering builds, and production runs.
• Be present at contractor sites during critical builds, process setup, first articles, and issue resolution.
• Ensure assembly processes are aligned with product requirements, quality expectations, and applicable standards.

SMT / PCBA Process Engineering

• Provide technical support for SMT, through-hole, selective soldering, hand soldering, rework, cleaning, coating, and mechanical assembly processes.
• Review PCB and assembly design for manufacturability, including solderability, component placement, spacing, thermal relief, stencil design, and rework accessibility.
• Identify assembly risks related to fine-pitch parts, BGAs, LGAs, QFNs, large thermal pads, high-mass components, connectors, and sensitive components.
• Support stencil design review, solder paste selection, reflow profile review, and process parameter validation.
• Evaluate assembly defects and drive corrective actions with the contractor.

Quality, Inspection and Standards

• Define and review inspection requirements for PCBA builds.
• Support first article inspection, in-process inspection, and final inspection activities.
• Analyze SMT defects such as solder bridges, opens, tombstoning, insufficient solder, voiding, non-wetting, lifted leads, skewed components, and contamination.
• Support X-ray, AOI, visual inspection, ionic contamination testing, and cross-section analysis when required.
• Ensure workmanship quality according to relevant standards such as IPC-A-610, IPC-J-STD-001, IPC-7711/7721, and internal requirements.

Documentation and Technical Reviews

• Review and release manufacturing documentation packages, including:
• Assembly drawings
• BOMs
• Pick-and-place files
• Work instructions
• Inspection criteria
• Special process requirements
• Support ECO implementation at the contractor.
• Define assembly-related notes and requirements for drawings and manufacturing packages.
• Document lessons learned, recurring issues, process deviations, and corrective actions.

Failure Analysis and Corrective Actions

• Lead technical investigations of assembly-related failures.
• Work with design, component engineering, quality, and contractors to determine root cause.
• Define containment actions, rework options, and long-term corrective actions.
• Review and approve contractor NCRs, MRBs, concessions, and process deviations when relevant.

Required Experience

• Proven experience in SMT / PCBA assembly manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of the full PCBA assembly flow, from bare PCB and kit preparation through SMT, reflow, inspection, cleaning, coating, rework, and final acceptance.
• Experience working with external EMS / PCBA contractors.
• Good understanding of IPC workmanship and assembly standards.
• Ability to read and review PCB fabrication drawings, assembly drawings, BOMs, and manufacturing files.
• Practical experience with common SMT defects, root-cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Experience supporting NPI builds and transferring products from engineering to production.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with contractors, engineers, buyers, and quality teams.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with high-reliability, aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, or other regulated electronics.
• Familiarity with IPC Class 3 requirements.
• Experience with conformal coating, underfill, staking, bonding, cleaning validation, and contamination control.
• Experience with BGA/QFN/LGA assembly inspection and X-ray review.
• Knowledge of PCB fabrication constraints and DFM/DFT principles.
• Experience writing manufacturing requirements, assembly notes, and process specifications.
• Experience participating in audits or supplier qualification activities.

Required Skills

• Strong technical judgment and attention to detail.
• Hands-on, practical approach to manufacturing problems.
• Ability to challenge contractor processes professionally and constructively.
• Ability to distinguish between acceptable workmanship, cosmetic findings, and real reliability risks.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple builds or suppliers in parallel