Etched
SMT Process Engineer (Greenfield Factory)
San Jose · Senior
Sponsorship not specifiedDetected 14 days ago
NLPPCB DesignResearchLeadership
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odds of building a lasting career here
37Risky
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role80
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds40
Fits your clock70
Thin sponsorship signal and lottery-bound. A low-probability bet with your clock running. Prioritize cap-exempt roles and proven entry-level sponsors first.
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from this employer's Department of Labor filings
Files H-1B transfers
4 transfer filings in the last year, covering 4 workers. Median labor-condition decision: 8 days. An employer that already files transfers is one that can take over an existing H-1B.
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About the role
- Etched is seeking an SMT Process Engineer to help establish our first PCB assembly (PCBA) manufacturing facility.
- You will be part of the core team selecting, installing, qualifying, and launching our first SMT production line, with hands-on ownership of manufacturing readiness from initial setup through volume production.
Responsibilities
- Launch our first SMT line: Support equipment selection, define technical specifications and acceptance criteria, and coordinate installation with vendors and facilities teams.
- Qualify equipment for production: Support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and develop and execute equipment startup, validation, and qualification plans.
- Own SMT programming and process development: Develop and optimize programs for solder paste printers, SPI, pick-and-place, AOI, AXI where applicable, and depanelization equipment. Maintain component libraries, machine databases, and standard setup procedures.
- Establish tooling readiness: Define, procure, and qualify stencils, PCB support tooling, carrier pallets, vacuum fixtures, and depanelization and rework fixtures ahead of engineering builds.
- Support builds from prototype through production: Lead SMT support for prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, and production builds. Troubleshoot process and programming issues, support engineering changes and product transfers, and minimize downtime.
- Develop manufacturing standards: Create equipment operating procedures, standard work instructions, and process controls. Support facility readiness, including utilities, ESD controls, and traceability.
- Train and certify operators: Develop training materials and train operators and technicians on equipment operation, feeder setup, program selection, changeovers, basic troubleshooting, and process controls.
- Provide technical leadership: Coach and prioritize work for one SMT Engineering Technician covering preventive maintenance, calibration, spare parts, vendor service, equipment qualification, and engineering lab support.
- Ensure process and lab readiness: Guide reflow profile verification, process characterization, and sample preparation for failure analysis to support engineering and production needs.
- Drive continuous improvement: Improve first-pass yield (FPY), throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Reduce setup and changeover time, optimize placement strategies, and standardize best practices across SMT operations.
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent practical experience.
- 10+ years of SMT manufacturing engineering experience.
- Experience with equipment acceptance testing, qualification, and production ramp-up.
- Demonstrated experience supporting SMT line installation, commissioning, or factory startup.
- Hands-on experience programming and optimizing SMT equipment.
- Experience supporting PCBA manufacturing from prototype builds through high-volume production.
Nice to have
- Leading technicians or small technical teams.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision packages with generous premium coverage.
- $500 per month credit for waiving medical benefits.
- Various wellness benefits covering fitness, mental health, and more.
Company info
- We are the first inference-focused frontier AI system, betting early on transformer and transformer-like architectures and on increasing model sizes.
- We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row) and greatly value engineering skills.
This listing is sourced directly from Etched's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.