Manager - Manufacturing Process Engineering (SMT Electronics)

Job Summary

JOB LOCATION: WALKER, MICHIGAN

INTERNAL JOB TITLE: MANAGER - PROCESS ENGINEERING

Reason for opening: Newly created, full-time position

Position Summary

We are seeking a dynamic engineering leader to drive manufacturing excellence within our high-volume SMT electronics manufacturing operation. This role will lead a team of Process Engineers and Technicians responsible for developing, optimizing, and sustaining world-class manufacturing processes that deliver exceptional quality, productivity, cost performance, and customer satisfaction.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical expertise in SMT manufacturing with proven people leadership capabilities to build engineering talent, improve manufacturing performance, and support business growth through continuous improvement, automation, and operational excellence initiatives.

This position partners closely with Operations, Quality, Product Engineering, NPI, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Customer teams to ensure manufacturing processes consistently meet quality, delivery, capacity, and cost objectives.

What You'll Do

Lead Engineering Excellence

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Process Engineers and Engineering Technicians supporting SMT manufacturing operations.
• Establish performance goals, succession plans, and professional development programs to build a high-performing engineering organization.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Drive Operational Performance

• Improve manufacturing capability, throughput, capacity utilization, first-pass yield, quality, and cost performance.
• Lead initiatives focused on reducing defects, scrap, rework, downtime, and process variation.
• Develop and monitor KPIs including:
  • OEE
  • First Pass Yield
  • Scrap
  • Rework
  • Throughput
  • Capacity Utilization
  • Equipment Performance

Optimize SMT Manufacturing Processes

Provide technical leadership across:

• Solder Paste Printing
• SPI
• Pick-and-Place Systems
• Reflow Processes
• AOI
• X-Ray Inspection
• Selective Soldering
• Back-End SMT Operations

Lead Continuous Improvement Initiatives

Apply advanced engineering methodologies including:

• Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Design of Experiments (DOE)
• PFMEA
• Control Plans
• Root Cause Analysis
• CAPA
• Six Sigma
• Lean Manufacturing

Support New Product Introduction

• Partner with NPI and Product Engineering to ensure successful product launches.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and process readiness activities.
• Develop robust manufacturing processes that support quality and scalability objectives.

Strategic Leadership

• Identify and justify engineering investments, automation opportunities, and process improvement projects.
• Develop business cases for capital equipment, productivity improvements, and capacity expansion programs.
• Communicate project status, risks, resource requirements, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of manufacturing engineering experience.
• 3+ years of engineering leadership or people management experience.
• Experience supporting high-volume SMT electronics manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • SMT Process Engineering
  • Reflow Optimization
  • AOI and X-Ray Technologies
  • Process Capability Analysis
  • SPC and DOE
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Continuous Improvement Methodologies

Preferred

• Master's Degree or MBA.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience in EMS, automotive electronics, medical devices, industrial electronics, or consumer electronics manufacturing.
• Experience deploying automation and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

What Makes You Successful

• Proven ability to lead and develop engineering talent.
• Strong business acumen with understanding of manufacturing economics and ROI.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive organizational change.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to present technical and business recommendations to executive leadership.
• Passion for building high-performing teams and delivering measurable operational results.

JT05

AA01

MS14

CC11

What you'll receive for the great work you provide:

• Full range of medical, dental, and vision plans
• Life Insurance
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Matching 401(k) Contributions
• Vacation and Paid Sick Time
• Tuition Reimbursement

Application Deadline:

Applications for this job position will be accepted for at least five days following the job posting start date below and continuing until the end date below or until the position is filled. This posting may close sooner due to application volume.

Job Category

Is Sponsorship Available?