Contract Process Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summary:

The Process Engineer plays a critical role in driving continuous improvement and supporting high-mix, high-reliability PCB assembly at Omega EMS. This position is responsible for optimizing manufacturing processes, reducing downtime, and ensuring consistent product quality across SMT, through-hole, and secondary operations. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong problem solving skills, collaborating closely with production, quality, and program management teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet customer requirements. As a key member of the engineering team, the Process Engineer helps shape world-class manufacturing systems that serve Silicon Valley’s most demanding technology companies.

Job Responsibilities – Process Engineer

• Provide engineering support to the production floor, reducing downtime by resolving programming, tooling, and process-related issues across SMT, through-hole, and secondary operations.
• Develop, review, and maintain Manufacturing Process Instructions (MPI), routings, and job packages to ensure accurate, efficient, and repeatable builds.
• Conduct first article setups and validations (stencil printer, reflow, wave solder, etc.), verifying process stability and quality before releasing to full production.
• Lead New Product Introduction activities including process development, trial builds, first-pass yield improvement, and ramp-to-volume support.
• Perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews, identifying potential issues, communicating with program managers, and recommending solutions to improve yield and efficiency.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions, using quality data and inspection results to drive defect reduction and continuous improvement.
• Conduct failure analysis using 2-D and 3-D x-ray, and other FA tools.
• Design, order, and validate tooling, stencils, and fixtures, ensuring availability and accuracy for production builds.
• Provide training and guidance to operators and technicians on new processes, ensuring process discipline and knowledge transfer.
• Collaborate with quality, program management, and customer teams to support ECOs, special requests, and failure analysis.
• Maintain authority to stop the line when repeated defects occur, protecting product quality and customer commitments.
• Participate in ISO and QMS activities, including audits, process improvements, and documentation updates.
• Support and contribute to a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and customer satisfaction within the engineering team.

Job Requirements – Process Engineer

• Experience & Technical Skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in process engineering for PCB assembly (SMT, through-hole, and secondary operations).
  • Strong understanding of PCBA manufacturing processes, including DFM, MPI, reflow profiling, wave solder, press-fit, and inspection methods.
  • Knowledge of soldering processes, alloys, and materials science.
  • Proficiency with troubleshooting tools, root cause analysis, and data-driven corrective actions.
  • Ability to design, specify, and validate tooling, stencils, and fixtures to support production.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MES systems and comfort working with data collection, analysis tools and design tools.
• Quality & Compliance
  • Experience working in ISO 9001 and/or AS9100 regulated environments.
  • Strong knowledge of quality systems, defect reduction methodologies, and continuous improvement practices.
  • Ability to lead and document corrective/preventive actions and support audits.
• Communication & Leadership
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to interface directly with operators, technicians, managers, and customers.
  • Comfortable leading training, presenting findings, and collaborating cross-functionally.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced, high-mix EMS environment.
• Work Style & Mindset
  • Hands-on, detail-oriented, and results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership.
  • Adaptable and resourceful problem solver, able to innovate practical solutions under tight timelines.
  • Commitment to customer satisfaction, on-time delivery, and product quality.

The Ideal Candidate

At Omega EMS, we believe engineering is at the heart of world-class manufacturing. The ideal Process Engineer is not only technically skilled but also passionate about continuous improvement and teamwork. This individual takes pride in solving complex problems, enabling on-time delivery, and ensuring product quality that meets or exceeds customer expectations. Beyond technical expertise, the ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, high-mix EMS environment and is motivated by the opportunity to support Silicon Valley’s most innovative companies with reliable, flexible, and customer-focused manufacturing solutions.