SMT Programmer

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. (CME) is seeking an experienced SMT Programmer to support our aerospace and defense electronics manufacturing operations.

CME manufactures high-reliability printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), electrical and electronic assemblies, cable and wire harnesses, test equipment, and sensor-based products for aerospace, defense, and other demanding applications.

The SMT Programmer will be responsible for programming, setting up, optimizing, and troubleshooting CME's Europlacer and DDM Novastar SMT equipment and supporting PCB assembly from new product introduction through production.

Responsibilities

• Create, modify, debug, and optimize programs for Europlacer and DDM Novastar pick-and-place equipment.
• Program and support Europlacer equipment using applicable Europlacer programming software, including offline programming capabilities.
• Program and support DDM Novastar automated placement equipment, including SMTrue Run-Optimize or applicable Novastar software.
• Generate machine programs from BOMs, Gerber files, CAD data, centroid/XY placement files, assembly drawings, and customer documentation.
• Use Siemens Valor Process Preparation or similar software to prepare manufacturing data and support SMT programming.
• Create and maintain component libraries, package definitions, feeder setups, nozzle assignments, fiducials, placement coordinates, and component orientation/polarity.
• Set up and support SMT production equipment, including pick-and-place machines, solder paste/stencil printing, reflow, and inspection equipment.
• Perform program verification and first-article builds to confirm component placement, orientation, polarity, and assembly accuracy.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and transition new PCB assemblies into production.
• Troubleshoot placement errors, machine vision issues, feeder problems, component recognition issues, and other SMT process problems.
• Optimize machine programs, feeder arrangements, and production setups to improve quality, efficiency, throughput, and changeover time.
• Work directly with Engineering, Quality, and Production to resolve manufacturing defects and process issues.
• Support root-cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement activities.
• Implement engineering changes and maintain accurate program revisions, setup documentation, and manufacturing instructions.
• Follow applicable ESD, FOD, quality, safety, and workmanship requirements.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience programming and operating automated SMT pick-and-place equipment.
• Experience with Europlacer and/or DDM Novastar equipment strongly preferred.
• Experience creating SMT programs from BOM, Gerber, CAD, and XY/centroid data.
• Strong understanding of the SMT manufacturing process, including solder paste printing, component placement, reflow, and inspection.
• Knowledge of electronic components, package types, polarity/orientation, feeders, nozzles, fiducials, and machine vision systems.
• Ability to read and interpret assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, component datasheets, and manufacturing documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Engineering, Quality, and Production personnel.

Preferred Experience

• Europlacer programming software / ii-RC
• DDM Novastar SMTrue Run-Optimize
• Siemens Valor Process Preparation
• Aerospace or defense electronics manufacturing
• High-mix/low-volume PCB assembly
• AOI and/or SPI programming
• SMT process development and reflow profiling
• IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001
• AS9100 or ISO 9001 manufacturing environments
• Fine-pitch components, BGAs, QFNs, and other complex SMT packages
• NPI and First Article Inspection
• Root-cause analysis and corrective action

Position Details

Job Type: Full-Time Department: Manufacturing / Engineering Work Location: On-site

The successful candidate will be a hands-on SMT professional capable of taking engineering and customer data and turning it into accurate, production-ready programs for CME's Europlacer and DDM Novastar equipment, while troubleshooting production issues and supporting the manufacture of high-reliability aerospace and defense electronics.

Custom Manufacturing & Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.