SMT ENGINEERING MANAGER

Houston, TEXAS

JOB

REFERENCE ID

26-02158

JOB TYPE:

Direct Placement

LOCATION

Houston, TEXAS

PAY RATE:

$130000 - $140000

POST DATE:

September 10, 2026

: SMT Engineering Manager

Location:

Houston, TX, fully on-site

Status:

Full-time direct hire

Compensation:

$130,000 to $140,000 per year

Experience:

Bachelor's in Engineering or related field, 8+ years of experience

SUMMARY:

The SMT Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Engineering team in a high-volume, high-mix electronics manufacturing environment. This role oversees SMT process development, equipment optimization, new product introduction (NPI), yield improvement, quality enhancement, and continuous improvement initiatives. The SMT Engineering Manager works closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Product Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to ensure efficient, reliable, and cost-effective production while meeting customer quality and delivery requirements.

Requirements:

• Engineering Leadership
• Lead, develop, and mentor a team of SMT Process Engineers, Equipment Engineers, and Engineering Technicians.
• Establish departmental goals, performance metrics, and development plans aligned with business objectives.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Manage engineering resources, priorities, and project execution.
• SMT Process Management.

Own and optimize all SMT manufacturing processes including:

o Solder paste printing

o SPI (Solder Paste Inspection)

o Component placement

o Reflow soldering

o AOI (Automated Optical Inspection)

o X-ray inspection

o Selective soldering (where applicable)

Develop and implement robust process controls to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Monitor and improve key process indicators including FPY, DPMO, OEE, cycle time, throughput, and scrap rates.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Lead SMT process readiness activities for new product launches.

Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews.

Develop SMT process flows, machine programs, tooling, and process qualifications.

Support prototype, pilot, and production ramp activities.

Equipment and Automation

Ensure optimal performance and utilization of SMT equipment.

Develop preventive maintenance strategies in collaboration with Maintenance teams.

Drive equipment upgrades, automation projects, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Evaluate and implement new manufacturing technologies to improve productivity and quality.

Quality and Yield Improvement

Lead root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.

Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for process-related issues.

Utilize statistical analysis and SPC techniques to improve process capability.

Support customer audits, internal audits, and regulatory compliance requirements.

Continuous Improvement

Lead Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma projects focused on:

Yield improvement

Cost reduction

Productivity enhancement

Cycle time reduction

Waste elimination

Establish best practices and standardization across SMT operations.

Develop and monitor engineering KPIs and improvement roadmaps.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner with Operations to meet production schedules and capacity requirements.

Collaborate with Quality Engineering to improve product reliability and customer satisfaction.

Support Product Engineering in product transfers and sustaining engineering activities.

Work with Supply Chain and Procurement to qualify materials and suppliers.

Budget and Resource Management

Develop and manage departmental budgets.

Justify and execute capital expenditure projects.

Optimize engineering resources and equipment investments to maximize ROI.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.

Master's degree preferred.

8+ years of experience in SMT manufacturing engineering within electronics manufacturing.

3+ years of leadership or management experience.

Experience supporting high-volume electronics manufacturing environments.

Experience with NPI, process development, and production ramp activities.

Technical Skills

Strong knowledge of SMT manufacturing processes and equipment.

Experience with leading SMT equipment suppliers such as Fuji, ASM/SIPLACE, Client, ERSA, DEK, Yamaha, Juki, Koh Young, CyberOptics, Heller, or Vitronics Soltec.

Knowledge of IPC standards including IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and

IPC-7711/7721.

Proficiency in statistical analysis, SPC, DOE, PFMEA, and process capability studies.

Familiarity with MES, ERP, and manufacturing data analytics systems.

Understanding of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

Leadership Competencies

Strong people leadership and coaching skills.

Excellent project management and organizational abilities.

Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.

Data-driven decision-making and problem-solving capability.

Ability to lead multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Six Sigma Green Belt, Black Belt, or equivalent certification.

IPC Certification.

Experience in high-reliability products, networking equipment, servers, telecommunications, industrial electronics, IoT, or automotive electronics manufacturing.

Experience with smart factory and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Benefits

PEAK's benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Savings Account (DCA), and 401K plan. PEAK believes that taking care of our team is essential for success and we are proud to provide benefits that enhance both your well-being and your future. Additionally, our associates may be eligible for Paid Sick Leave as required by Federal, State, or local laws. Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) PEAK Technical Staffing is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. PEAK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We encourage all individuals to apply. Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) The physical and mental requirements described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.