The Engineering Manager leads the SMT engineering team, oversees production processes, drives continuous improvement, and manages cross-functional collaboration to achieve high-quality PCB assembly operations.
Job Title: Engineering Manager (bilingual Mandarin)
Department: Manufacturing / Engineering
Reports To: Director of NPI Engineering
Location: San Jose, CaliforniaPosition Summary:
The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) engineering team to ensure efficient, high-quality PCB assembly operations. This role oversees process development, equipment optimization, new product introduction (NPI), and continuous improvement activities to achieve production goals in quality, cost, and delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong problem-solving skills, deep SMT process knowledge, and proven experience managing cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment.Key Responsibilities:
Education:
Department: Manufacturing / Engineering
Reports To: Director of NPI Engineering
Location: San Jose, CaliforniaPosition Summary:
The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) engineering team to ensure efficient, high-quality PCB assembly operations. This role oversees process development, equipment optimization, new product introduction (NPI), and continuous improvement activities to achieve production goals in quality, cost, and delivery. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technical leader with strong problem-solving skills, deep SMT process knowledge, and proven experience managing cross-functional engineering teams in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment.Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, coach, and develop the SMT engineering team to achieve departmental and company objectives.
- Oversee day-to-day SMT production engineering activities, ensuring process stability, efficiency, and high yield.
- Manage and optimize SMT equipment, including stencil printers, placement machines, reflow ovens, and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives in process capability, cycle time reduction, and defect prevention.
- Lead new product introduction (NPI) for SMT lines, ensuring successful prototype builds and seamless production transition.
- Collaborate with Quality, Production, and Supply Chain teams to resolve process issues and improve manufacturability.
- Define and maintain SMT process standards, documentation, and equipment maintenance plans.
- Analyze process data (Statistical Process Control (SPC), Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), yield, downtime) and implement corrective actions to achieve performance targets.
- Participate in capacity planning, line balancing, and layout optimization for future scalability.
- Manage engineering projects, including capital equipment justification and implementation.
- Ensure compliance with ESD, IPC, and ISO standards and support audits as required.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (Master’s preferred).
- Minimum 10+ years of SMT process or manufacturing engineering experience in electronics assembly.
- At least 3 years in a supervisory or management role leading engineering or production teams.
- Strong knowledge of SMT equipment.
- Proven experience with NPI, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), and continuous improvement methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma).
- Strong leadership, communication, and team development abilities.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills using data-driven approaches.
- Proficiency in statistical process control (SPC) and quality tools.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and drive results under tight timelines.
- Knowledge of ERP/MES systems and familiarity with IPC standards.
- Experience with automotive, medical device, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing.
- Certification in Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt.
- Office and manufacturing floor environment.
- May require occasional travel to suppliers or other company sites.
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Cloud • Information Technology • Automation
The Engineering Manager leads the SMT engineering team to optimize PCB assembly operations, manage process development, and drive continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring quality and production goals are met.
Top Skills:
Automated Optical Inspection (Aoi)ErpLeanMesOverall Equipment Effectiveness (Oee)Six SigmaStatistical Process Control (Spc)Surface Mount Technology (Smt)
Hardware • Information Technology • Robotics • Manufacturing
The Engineering Manager leads the SMT engineering team to enhance PCB assembly operations, drive continuous improvement, manage equipment, and oversee new product introduction.
Top Skills:
LeanOverall Equipment Effectiveness (Oee)Pcb AssemblySix SigmaStatistical Process Control (Spc)Surface Mount Technology (Smt)
Hardware • Information Technology • Robotics • Manufacturing
The Engineering Manager leads the SMT engineering team, overseeing production engineering, process development, and continuous improvement to achieve quality and efficiency goals.
Top Skills:
Automated Optical Inspection (Aoi)ErpMesStatistical Process Control (Spc)Surface Mount Technology (Smt)
What you need to know about the San Francisco Tech Scene
San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area attracts more startup funding than any other region in the world. Home to Stanford University and UC Berkeley, leading VC firms and several of the world’s most valuable companies, the Bay Area is the place to go for anyone looking to make it big in the tech industry. That said, San Francisco has a lot to offer beyond technology thanks to a thriving art and music scene, excellent food and a short drive to several of the country’s most beautiful recreational areas.
Key Facts About San Francisco Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 365,500; 13.9% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: Google, Apple, Salesforce, Meta
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, cloud computing, fintech, consumer technology, software
- Funding Landscape: $50.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Bessemer Venture Partners, Greylock Partners, Khosla Ventures, Kleiner Perkins
- Research Centers and Universities: Stanford University; University of California, Berkeley; University of San Francisco; Santa Clara University; Ames Research Center; Center for AI Safety; California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
