Sr Principal Process Development Engineer (SMT)

Location: Livermore, California, United States; regular day shift

Salary: $136,200–$178,815 per year

Company

hirify.global provides semiconductor test and measurement technologies supporting device characterization, reliability, design debugging, qualification, and production testing.

What you will do

• Develop, qualify, maintain, and optimize SMT processes for high-density probe card PCBs.
• Own solder paste selection and application, reflow profiling, placement parameters, recipes, and inspection processes.
• Provide daily engineering support for stencil printers, pick-and-place machines, reflow ovens, and SPI systems.
• Lead equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, preventive maintenance planning, calibration, and spare-parts strategies.
• Analyze yield, defect Pareto charts, and SPC trends while driving corrective actions for soldering and assembly defects.
• Support prototype builds, new product introductions, production deviations, operator training, documentation, and Lean/6σ improvement projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, materials science, or a related field, with at least 8 years of related experience; alternatively, 6 years with a master’s degree, 3 years with a PhD, or equivalent experience.
• 3–7 years of SMT or PCB assembly experience, with semiconductor, PCBA, or electronics assembly experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of solder paste behavior, reflow principles, component placement, defect mechanisms, and high-density or fine-pitch assembly.
• Hands-on experience with SMT equipment and inspection systems, including SPI and AOI.
• Experience with SPC, FMEA, DOE, structured root cause analysis, CAM/EDA data, and stencil or paste-aperture optimization.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with plating, photolithography, mechanical assembly, electrical test, supply chain, quality, and production teams.

Nice to have

• Experience with probe cards, semiconductor test hardware, or high-precision PCB manufacturing.
• Lean/6σ Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• Experience with MES systems and factory automation.

Culture & Benefits

• Day-shift schedule in an in-person manufacturing environment.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• 401(k) with company match, employee stock purchase plan, paid time off, and flexible spending or savings accounts.
• Quarterly profit-sharing bonuses.
• Work environment centered on customer focus, ownership, respectful communication, and continuous improvement.