Etched
SMT Line Lead
San Jose · Contract
Sponsorship not specified$250k-$350kDetected 14 days ago
Agentic AISupply ChainLogisticsProcurementResearchLeadership
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odds of building a lasting career here
59Sponsors, lottery-bound
Cap-exempt (no lottery)0
Sponsors this role80
Entry-level history0
PERM / green-card track0
Lottery odds (Level IV)94
Fits your clock70
Sponsors, but it's cap-subject — you still face the weighted lottery (~61% per draw at Level IV). Good if you win; have a cap-exempt backup on your list.
Lottery odds assume a STEM candidate.
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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
- The SMT Line Lead runs and operates Etched's in-house SMT line, from incoming material to finished, inspected modules.
- You'll build and lead the line's operations team (incoming quality, material handling and logistics, quality and test, machine operators, and rework), and turn a newly installed line into a reliable, high-yield operation.
- You'll work closely with our process engineering, DFM, equipment, and procurement teams, who own process setup, equipment, and sourcing.
Responsibilities
- Line operations: Own day-to-day operation of a US-based SMT line assembling Etched's modules, for both NPI and mass production.
- Team leadership: Hire, lead, and develop the line's operations team: incoming quality (IQC), material handlers, quality and test technicians, machine operators, and rework technicians.
- Training: Build training and certification programs (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, ESD, MSD handling) and keep a skills matrix so every station has trained backups.
- Build scheduling: Turn program priorities into a daily and weekly build schedule, coordinate changeovers, and resequence quickly when parts or priorities change.
- Material flow: Own the flow from receiving to finished goods: incoming inspection, kitting, feeder setup and staging, line-side inventory, WIP, and finished-goods packing and storage.
- Inventory and traceability: Work with our supply chain and procurement teams to ensure we can meet build targets. Collaborate with our inventory team to ensure material availability and quality.
- Quality and yield: Run the inspection flow (IQC, SPI, AOI, AXI, test) and the rework operation, including ASIC rework. Partner with process engineering to debug yield issues and close out corrective actions.
- Scaling: Collaborate with the engineering and capital projects teams to bring up future lines on world-class timelines as Etched scales to gigawatts worth of modules.
- Lead the way in integrating frontier AI technology into SMT operations.
- Relocation support for those moving to San Jose (Santana Row)
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or comparable experience.
- Minimum of five years of experience in electronics manufacturing (PCBA/SMT), with at least two years leading production teams.
- Experience managing mixed teams of full-time employees and contractors across shifts.
- Working knowledge of SMT inspection and quality (SPI, AOI, X-ray), IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001, and MSD handling.
Nice to have
- Experience leading an SMT line at a fast-growing hardware startup.
- Experience with complex, high-value assemblies (large BGAs, server or accelerator boards) and BGA rework.
- Experience with MES, traceability, or inventory systems.
Compensation
- $250,000 - $350,000 with significant equity.
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
- Compensation Range: $250,000 - $350,000 with significant equity.
- shift schedules and coverage for full-time employees and contractors, including overtime, cross-training, and backfill.
- Reporting: Report line status, schedule attainment, yield, scrap, and inventory health daily, and raise risks early.
Company info
- We are a fully in-person team in San Jose (Santana Row), and the SMT line is located in nearby Milpitas.
This listing is sourced directly from Etched's careers page and normalized into a canonical job model.