Sr. SMT Engineer – Starship Avionics Production

Sr. SMT Engineer – Starship Avionics Production

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering field
• 2+ years of professional experience working in SMT or PCBA process engineering

Responsibilities

• Optimize and configure processes and equipment for building surface mount electronics assemblies
• Perform design of experiments (DOE) to optimize SMT process yield
• Specify equipment requirements for new PCBA build processes and develop design for manufacturability (DFM) guidelines for PCBA designs
• In close conjunction with the responsible engineer, make design updates to flight hardware which enable it to be manufactured easily
• Execute qualification campaigns to ensure DFM improvements do not sacrifice flight capability
• Provide solutions to streamline space-grade circuit board assembly and test processes which may include flying probe, automated optical inspection (AOI), functional testing, reflow soldering, selective soldering, and conformal coating
• Resolve production issues on the spot while ensuring design integrity allowing us to stay on schedule
• Facilitate a close relationship with the engineering team during design, build, and test to provide design feedback; provide clear communication between the design engineering team and the production floor
• Lead efforts to uncover root-cause and develop a permanent resolution on issues found during production
• Develop a robust set of test machinery that includes critical spares for ensuring complete uptime
• Determine schedule impacts for unforeseen design or process changes in production
• Utilize lean manufacturing tools; recommend improvements in production methods, standards, tooling, equipment, layout, procedures, product designs, and employee efficiency
• Support the transition of products from development to volume production and identify continuous improvement opportunities for yield, performance, and cost
• Work with the design team in response to manufacturing problems, parts obsolescence, and minor requirement changes
• Prepare and maintain documentation required to ensure efficient production. Participate in design reviews to conduct DFM and DFT recommendations with innovative and cost-effective solutions

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of direct experience working in SMT or PCBA process engineering
• Hands on experience with optimizing SMT pick and place, reflow oven, conformal coating, or through hole soldering systems
• Passion for advancing the commercial space industry and human spaceflight
• Strong work ethic and drive to succeed
• Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding start-up atmosphere
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal