NPI Engineer

SMTC is hiring for an NPI Engineer!

SMTC Corporation was founded in 1985. SMTC is a mid-size provider of end-to-end electronics manufacturing services (EMS) including PCBA production, systems integration and comprehensive testing services, enclosure fabrication, as well as product design, sustaining engineering and supply chain management services. SMTC has facilities in the United States, Mexico, China and Canada. Services extend over the entire electronic product life cycle from the development and introduction of new products through to the growth, maturity and end-of-life phases.

Benefits Highlights:

*401K with company match

*PTO, Paid Holidays

*Tuition Reimbursement

*Medical HRA Plan

*Short term/Long term Disability Insurance, etc.

Summary:

The NPI Engineer supports the technical evaluation, planning, coordination, and implementation of new products from Request for Quote (RFQ) through New Product Introduction (NPI) and transition to sustained production. This role evaluates product designs, Bills of Material (BOMs), components, manufacturing requirements, and technical risks to support accurate quoting, manufacturability, and production readiness.

Working collaboratively with Product Engineering from the initial RFQ stage, the NPI Engineer coordinates with Process Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Test Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure technical requirements, manufacturing assumptions, and production needs are addressed throughout the product introduction process.

Essential Functions:

• Review customer RFQ packages, including BOMs, drawings, specifications, Gerber/ODB++ data, schematics, assembly requirements, and other technical documentation to determine manufacturing requirements and technical feasibility.
• Provide engineering input to quotations by identifying required manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, fixtures, inspection and test requirements, special processes, technical risks, and other considerations that may impact cost or lead time.
• Identify manufacturing constraints, missing technical information, assumptions, and risks during the quoting process and coordinate with Program Management, Supply Chain, Engineering, Operations as appropriate to support quote completion.
• Support technical discussions with prospective and existing customers to clarify product requirements, manufacturing assumptions, design considerations, and technical requirements.
• Review BOMs, component specifications, packaging, moisture sensitivity, storage and handling requirements, lifecycle status, and other component characteristics to identify manufacturability, availability, obsolescence, quality, or special-handling risks.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Engineering to evaluate component alternates and substitutions for technical suitability and manufacturing compatibility and coordinate resolution of identified component risks prior to production release.
• Partner with DFM resources to review Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Test (DFT), and other Design for Excellence (DFx) requirements for new and prospective products.
• Evaluate PCB/PCBA designs for component placement, assembly accessibility, penalization, tooling, inspection, testability, process capability, and other manufacturing considerations, engaging internal technical resources as required.
• Develop and communicate recommendations to the product engineer and internal teams to improve manufacturability, quality, reliability, cost, and production efficiency while identifying design or manufacturing risks that could affect yield, capacity, cycle time, cost, or successful product launch.
• Serve as the front-end engineering lead for assigned products from RFQ through manufacturing readiness and NPI launch.
• Coordinate with the product engineer to determine flow-down requirements within customer specifications and technical documentation and translate customer requirements and quoted manufacturing assumptions into defined requirements for NPI execution.
• Coordinate with Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Test Engineering, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure technical and manufacturing readiness prior to production.
• Support prototype, pilot, and initial production builds; identify technical issues and readiness gaps, document lessons learned, and coordinate actions with other engineering disciplines through resolution.
• Verify that required manufacturing processes, tooling, equipment, materials, documentation, inspection and test requirements, and technical controls are established prior to production release.
• Coordinate cross-functional engineering and operational activities with Product Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality Engineering, Test Engineering, Manufacturing, Program Management, and Supply Chain to ensure NPI readiness, successful product launch, and transition to sustained production.

Competencies:

• NPI & Manufacturing Readiness: Ability to evaluate technical and manufacturing requirements and coordinate activities necessary to successfully transition new products from RFQ through production readiness and launch.
• Technical Quoting & Feasibility: Ability to evaluate customer technical packages, manufacturing requirements, process needs, risks, and assumptions to support accurate and technically sound quotations.
• Component Engineering: Ability to evaluate electronic components, specifications, alternates, lifecycle considerations, handling requirements, and associated manufacturing risks.
• DFx & Manufacturability: Ability to evaluate product designs and manufacturing requirements and identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, testability, quality, reliability, efficiency, and cost.
• Electronics Manufacturing Knowledge: Working knowledge of PCBA manufacturing processes, equipment, materials, inspection, test, and production requirements within an electronics manufacturing environment.
• Technical Risk & Problem Solving: Ability to identify technical, component, design, and manufacturing risks; analyze available information; and coordinate effective solutions before production release.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Test Engineering, Supply Chain, Program Management, customers, and other stakeholders to achieve NPI objectives.
• Technical Communication: Ability to communicate complex technical requirements, risks, assumptions, and recommendations clearly with internal teams while supporting business and customer requirements.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related technical discipline, required.
• Certifications:
  • Lean Manufacturing Certification preferred
  • Six Sigma Green Belt or higher preferred
  • IPC certifications preferred
• Experience:
  • Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of engineering experience in electronics manufacturing, preferably within an EMS, contract manufacturing, or high-reliability environment.
  • Experience supporting technical quoting, RFQ evaluation, New Product Introduction (NPI), manufacturing readiness, and prototype or pilot builds through transition to production.
  • Experience reviewing customer technical documentation, including BOMs, drawings, specifications, Gerber/ODB++ data, schematics, and related engineering requirements.
  • Working knowledge of DFM, DFA, DFT, and related DFx methodologies, including the ability to evaluate manufacturing feasibility, process requirements, tooling, inspection, and test needs.
  • Working knowledge of electronic components, including specifications, alternates, lifecycle and obsolescence considerations, moisture sensitivity, packaging, and manufacturing-related risks.
  • Working knowledge of PCBA manufacturing processes and technologies, including SMT, Through-Hole Assembly, soldering, rework, thermal profiling, AOI, and X-Ray Inspection.
  • Knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, RoHS, and other applicable electronics manufacturing standards and customer requirements.
  • Strong analytical, technical problem-solving, project coordination, and communication skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate effectively with customers and cross-functional teams.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit for extended periods while performing computer-based work.
• Ability to use a computer, keyboard, mouse, telephone, and other office equipment for prolonged periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication methods.
• Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and lift office materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to visually review documents, reports, spreadsheets, and computer displays with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to move throughout office and production areas as business needs require.

Mental Requirements:

• The employee is required to exercise sound judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a professional business environment.
• The role requires the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities, manage competing deadlines, interpret and analyze information, and make decisions consistent with organizational objectives.
• Employees must effectively communicate with internal and external stakeholders, maintain confidentiality where appropriate, and adapt to changing business needs.
• The position requires sustained concentration, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently while maintaining productivity and accuracy.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a combination of professional office, electronics manufacturing, remote, and travel-based environments. Responsibilities may require regular interaction with production areas, exposing employees to moderate noise levels, fluctuating temperatures, production equipment, soldering operations, automated machinery, and general manufacturing activity. Duties may involve extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, bending, computer-based work, and occasional lifting or movement of materials consistent with job responsibilities. Employees entering production or controlled areas are required to follow all environmental, safety, ESD, quality, and equipment-handling procedures, including the use of SMTC-provided ESD-safe items where applicable. The role also requires travel between company locations, customer sites, or other business-related destinations as needed, as well as the ability to maintain a safe and secure remote workspace with reliable internet access when working remotely. Employees must remain attentive and compliant with all operational, safety, quality, confidentiality, and company policy requirements across all work environments.

Travel: 0-10% of the time based on business needs.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SMTC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or other protected status.

If you require assistance completing this application due to a disability, please contact Human Resources to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.