Pre Production Engineer Jobs in Oregon (NOW HIRING)

Do you enjoy catching issues before they become production problems? Are you detail-oriented, technical, and energized by work that directly impacts quality, cost, and customer satisfaction?

At Milwaukee Electronics, our NPI Technicians are a key part of launching jobs successfully. In this role, you will review incoming customer data, evaluate technical feasibility, support New Product Introduction activities, and help ensure each order is ready for a smooth transition into production.

You will work with industry-leading DFM tools such as Valor, partner closely with Customer Service, Engineering, and production teams, and serve as a technical resource for tooling, manufacturability, and defect reduction.

If you enjoy solving problems early, digging into details, and helping teams build products right the first time, this could be a great fit.

SCHEDULE
Regular Hours: Monday - Friday, 1:00 PM - 9:30 PM (2nd Shift)
Training Period: For approximately the first two months, training will take place on the day shift, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, before transitioning to the regular 2nd-shift schedule.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Perform front-end technical reviews on incoming quotes
• Evaluate customer drawings and data files for manufacturability and cost impact
• Partner with the Customer Service team to answer technical questions and resolve issues
• Order and maintain SMT tooling including stencils and SMT carriers; modify tooling as needed
• Develop penalization and tooling recommendations for production teams
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities including BOM loads and tooling orders
• Research past builds and generate defect reports to drive continuous improvement
• Use Valor and similar DFM software to produce technical reviews and customer-facing DFM reports
• Participate in cross-departmental meetings as an SME focused on DFM and defect reduction
• Create and deliver training materials for Front End Technical Supporters locally and globally
• Promote Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement

WHAT YOU NEED

• Associate's degree OR 2+ years of hands-on experience with SMT equipment or machine programming (equivalent combinations considered)
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and customer-provided data files
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Strong communication skills - able to translate technical findings clearly for non-technical teammates
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment

BONUS POINTS

• Experience with Valor or similar DFM software
• Familiarity with IPC standards
• Background supporting NPI or new product launch processes

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is a fully on-site role. The position requires regular use of hands and arms, frequent standing and sitting, and occasional lifting up to 40 lbs. Close vision, color vision, and depth perception are required.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role is performed primarily on the production floor within an electronics manufacturing environment. Exposure to moving mechanical equipment, soldering fumes, or chemicals may occur. Noise levels are typically moderate to high depending on the production area.

Appropriate PPE is required and provided.

MILWAUKEE ELECTRONICS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 414-228-5000 or hr@milwaukeeelectronics.com.

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov). 

Because this job has access to controlled technology, we must comply with ITAR. Any job offers will be contingent on verification that the candidate is a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent resident, or individual granted asylum/refugee status in the U.S.) or can otherwise satisfy ITAR compliance requirements. If applicable, if an individual is not a U.S. person, our policy is to not take the extra step of seeking approval from the federal government for that person to work in this position.

Upon hire, the successful candidate must present acceptable proof of identity and current authorization to work in the U.S., as required on Form I-9. We do not provide sponsorship support for employment-based visas such as H-1B.