Principal SMT Process Engineer

Date Posted: 2026-07-15 | Country: United States | Location: McKinney, TX (2501 W University Dr, Wing A) | Role Type: Onsite | U.S. citizenship required | Security Clearance: None required

About the role

The Advanced Products Center (APC) Manufacturing Engineering organization is seeking a Principal SMT Process Engineer for the CCA Process Engineering team. This hands‑on position operates in a fast‑paced, collaborative ISO Class 8 cleanroom environment supporting RF microelectronic packaging and surface‑mount technology (SMT) within a state‑of‑the‑art Microwave Automated Factory. The engineer will install and qualify new equipment, improve existing processes, and lead process‑improvement projects while working closely with product, quality, reliability, tooling, industrial, and operations engineers.

Responsibilities

• Provide on‑site support for high‑volume, high‑mix production, addressing equipment, processes, materials, and product challenges.
• Work with product, quality, reliability, and manufacturing engineers on product manufacturing.
• Develop and implement materials, processes, and improvements using statistical process control, experimental design, material analysis, mechanical design analysis, and root‑cause analysis.
• Evaluate, qualify, and accept test equipment; develop specifications and interface with internal and external suppliers to resolve technical issues.
• Lead development, optimization, and control of SMT processes including paste deposition, dispensing, pick‑and‑place, reflow, and inspection (SPI, AOI, X‑ray).
• Drive yield‑improvement initiatives using data analysis, Design of Experiments (DOE), and root‑cause methodologies.
• Collaborate with design and product engineers to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM) feedback.
• Support new product builds using automated equipment and develop innovative solutions for next‑generation designs.
• Lead process‑improvement projects to enhance productivity by integrating new technologies, qualifying new materials, and optimizing workflows.
• Select, evaluate, and integrate capital equipment to meet current and future production demands.
• Communicate technical information across cross‑functional teams to ensure alignment and successful execution.
• Mentor and coach junior engineers and technicians; act as a subject‑matter expert (SME).
• Spend up to 6 + hours per day in a cleanroom, adhering to cleanroom protocols and ESD procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math (STEM).
• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in SMT manufacturing/process engineering.
• Experience in high‑reliability manufacturing environments (aerospace, defense, medical, automotive).
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification (preferred).
• Proficiency in Statistical Process Control (SPC), statistical data analysis, DOE, and RCCA.
• Strong problem‑solving skills using data‑driven approaches to identify and resolve issues.
• Technical writing expertise for operator instructions, qualification reports, and vendor statements of work.
• Proven ability to lead projects, direct activities, and drive results.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability.
• 401(k) match.
• Flexible spending accounts.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Employee assistance program and Employee Scholar Program.
• Parental leave.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Eligibility for annual short‑term and/or long‑term incentive compensation (subject to performance and business factors).

Pay

Salary range: $107,500 – $204,500 USD (estimate based on experience, role, location, education, and key skills).

Schedule

• Day‑shift work, start time between 6 AM and 9 AM.
• Potential 9/80 schedule (nine days over two weeks).
• Up to 6 + hours per day spent in a cleanroom environment.