R&D Engineer USA

Job Title: R&D Engineer - USA

Location: Mountain View CA 94043

Duration: 85 days

Summary of Job:

The Manufacturing Engineer owns establishing the manufacturing processes and practices deployed to manufacture HAV hardware products with desired quality and lead time. The Manufacturing Engineer partners with supplier/Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) (Contract Manufacturers) to define qualify and document assembly processes assembly tools and aids while driving cost and quality improvements. During NPI the ME drives DFx with the supplier/Contract manufacturer through resolution with R&D and other appropriate stakeholders for highly complex electro mechanical assemblies.

Must-have/Required skills:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline
• 7 years of experience in manufacturing engineering with deep expertise in PCBA and electromechanical system assembly
• Strong background in networking hardware test equipment or similar high-reliability electronic systems
• Proven experience leading complex NPIs from early development through high-volume manufacturing
• Solid understanding of manufacturing systems automation quality assurance and cost optimization techniques
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting manufacturing and reliability issues at both PCBA and system levels
• Experience working with global EMS and system integration partners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence across disciplines and leadership levels
• Willingness and ability to 35% travel
• Strong knowledge of PCBA manufacturing including SMT/THT processes
• Experience with DFx (DFM/DFA/DFT/DFS/DFR) reviews
• Root cause analysis and corrective actions experience
• Experience with manufacturing process development PFMEAs control plans and work instructions
• Ability to lead cross-functional collaboration with R&D Test Quality Engineering and EMS partners

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with highly dense and complex PCBA and electromechanical FATP
• Some experience with opto electronics and optical cabling
• Knowledge of IPC ISO and industry quality and reliability standards
• Experience with manufacturing automation fixtures and precision assembly tooling
• Lean Six Sigma certification or equivalent
• Background in EDA telecom Semiconductor/test instrumentation or industrial systems
• Experience in CAD software
• Innovative and solutions-oriented mindset
• Commitment to automation documentation ergonomics and scalable solutions

Key responsibilities and duties:

• Manufacturing Process Ownership & Technical Leadership
  • Function as a manufacturing technical lead for PCBA and electromechanical assembly across NPI and sustaining
  • Define and industrialize end-to-end manufacturing processes for complex electronic products including PCBA and FATP
  • Lead DFx reviews with Hardware R&D Test and Quality Engineering teams and supplier/contract manufacturers
  • Establish manufacturing standards process flows PFMEAs control plans and work instructions
  • Define and improve manufacturing efficiency with EMS including workflow cell layout staffing training equipment power and network requirements
  • Drive yield improvement defect reduction reliability performance and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Lead troubleshooting of manufacturing defects and reliability issues and establish corrective actions
• PCBA Manufacturing EDA HAV Focus
  • Lead manufacturing process development for high-complexity PCBA including high-layer-count boards fine-pitch BGAs high-speed signal designs and power electronics
  • Qualify and optimize SMT/THT processes including stencil design solder paste selection reflow and soldering profiles
  • Conduct analytical studies of PCBA reliability using destructive and nondestructive methods
• Electromechanical & System Assembly
  • Architect and optimize FATP processes for EDA HAV systems
  • Define document and train EMS Engineers on product/process requirements
  • Validate operator certification programs
  • Champion FATP automation and advanced tooling to optimize assembly handling ergonomics cycle time and cost
  • Establish budgets for automated equipment/process development and track spend
  • Drive solution selection negotiate cost and project schedule via EMS
• New Product Introduction (NPI) & Production Ramp
  • Track DFx issues to closure cross-functionally within EMS partners
  • Support prototype and early production builds manufacturing risk reviews and readiness assessments
  • Identify manufacturing risks and mitigation strategies
  • Lead manufacturing readiness through mass production
• Supplier & Contract Manufacturer (EMS) Engagement
  • Serve as the primary manufacturing technical interface with EMS partners
  • Drive cost reduction yield and reliability enhancement initiatives
  • Manage project deliverables from EMS partners to product schedule
• Sustaining Engineering & Continuous Improvement
  • Develop and revise assembly and test standard times from NPI to production
  • Drive periodic review of standard times with costing team
  • Own Bill of Materials from Prototype to Production
  • Drive product structure review and definition with R&D Operations and EMS partners
  • Author Engineering Change Orders (ECO) with R&D team
  • Track and validate implementation at EMS
  • Document manufacturing process and packaging requirements/specifications for EMS Engineers
• Technical Leadership & Influence
  • Stay abreast of industry technological advancements and qualify processes and assembly equipment
  • Mentor and technically guide manufacturing engineers across PCBA and FATP
  • Influence product and manufacturing strategy through technical judgment and collaboration
  • Act as a trusted advisor to engineering operations and leadership teams

Impact of the Role:

• Accelerate time-to-market for new products
• Enable reliable repeatable scalable and cost-effective manufacturing
• Enhance yield reduce defects improve product quality and customer satisfaction and lower cost
• Support seamless transitions from design to mass production through EMS partners
• Support leadership through cross-functional innovation