Title: Manufacturing Process Control Engineer (SMT)
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Schedule: Hybrid Flexibility
Pay: $75,000-$95,000+ bonus, benefits, 401(k) match, etc.
Type: Direct Hire/Permanent
Industry: Electronics/PCBA manufacturing, SMT Manufacturing
Position Summary
The Manufacturing Process Control Engineer is responsible for defining, sustaining, and improving manufacturing processes to ensure consistent execution, process stability, and product quality across SMT production operations. This role emphasizes process discipline, standardization, and statistical process control (SPC) to monitor performance, identify variation, and drive timely corrective action.
This is a highly hands-on role operating on the floor directly within the SMT production environment. The engineer will work closely with operators, technicians, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to establish clear process expectations, maintain control and reaction plans, and ensure processes remain stable, repeatable, and compliant over time. Success in this role requires a strong floor presence and active engagement in day-to-day manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Process Ownership
- Own and sustain manufacturing processes to ensure consistent execution across shifts and product lines
- Develop, document, and maintain standard work instructions, process flows, and operating parameters
- Ensure production teams clearly understand and consistently follow defined manufacturing processes
- Monitor real-time process execution on the production floor and address adherence gaps or process deviations
- Maintain a continuous presence on the SMT production line to support operators and rapidly respond to process variation or non-conformance
Process Control & Stability
- Develop and maintain process control plans and reaction plans for critical manufacturing operations
- Define and monitor Key Process Parameters (KPPs) and Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) characteristics
- Utilize SPC and other monitoring tools to evaluate process capability, stability, and performance
- Lead containment, troubleshooting, and corrective actions when processes fall outside defined control limits
SPC & Data Analysis
- Implement and sustain SPC methodologies to enable early detection of process variation
- Select appropriate control chart methodologies and sampling strategies
- Analyze SPC and production data to identify trends, special-cause variation, and improvement opportunities
- Drive timely corrective action based on data analysis and process monitoring results
Continuous Improvement & Problem Solving
- Lead root cause analysis activities related to process variation, defects, and quality escapes
- Drive initiatives focused on variation reduction, yield improvement, and defect prevention
- Support process validation, qualification activities, and manufacturing change implementation
- Validate process improvements using measurable process metrics and statistical analysis
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Floor Support
- Partner directly with operators, technicians, supervisors, Manufacturing Engineering, and Quality teams within the SMT production environment
- Provide hands-on coaching and training related to process discipline, control methods, and standard work
- Support new product introductions (NPI), process transfers, and production ramp activities by establishing stable and repeatable processes
- Communicate process risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities clearly to leadership and stakeholders
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure manufacturing processes comply with ISO, AS, IPC, customer, and internal quality requirements
- Support audits, CAPA activities, and customer investigations related to process performance
- Maintain accurate and controlled manufacturing process documentation
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- 4–6 years of experience in SPC, process control, quality engineering, or manufacturing engineering
- Experience in SMT manufacturing
- Experience working within a manufacturing environment
- Experience in electronics or regulated manufacturing environments preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Statistics, or a related technical field
- Experience in high-reliability or regulated manufacturing industries
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Advanced understanding of statistical process control (SPC) and process capability analysis
- Experience with control charts, reaction plans, PFMEA, and process validation methodologies
- Proficiency with statistical analysis tools such as Minitab and Excel
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation
- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving capabilities
- Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to work independently and influence teams within a fast-paced manufacturing environment