SMT Mechanical Design Engineer

Role Summary

• The SMT Mechanical Designer is responsible for the mechanical design, development, and validation of production tools and equipment required to support SMT manufacturing in new projects.
• This role focuses on enabling reliable processing of small-format PCBs and double-sided flexible or rigid-flex PCBAs by designing custom tooling, carriers, fixtures, and equipment modifications that ensure stability, repeatability, and quality throughout the SMT process.

1. Tooling & Equipment Design

• The SMT mechanical design engineer designs in Solid Works, resulting with 2d drawings which are sent later to equipment makers (e.g. internal or external tool shops). The basic knowledge is needed on basic metal working technologies (milling, turning, grinding, EDM).
• Also, there is a requirement on practical knowledge on dimensioning and tolerances.
• Design SMT production tooling for new and existing products, including:

- PCB carriers, Magazines and pallets, Reflow and wave solder fixtures

- Printing, placement, and inspection supports

- Transport frames for small and flexible PCBAs

• Develop mechanical solutions to support double-sided SMT assemblies, including second side reflow and handling.
• Design fixtures to ensure flatness, positional accuracy, and repeatability during printing, placement, and reflow.

2. New Project & NPI Support

• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) by defining tooling concepts early in the project lifecycle.
• Support Industrialization department in collecting information needed for upgrades/ redesigns/retrofitting of existing machines by comparing the documentation with the actual machine status and participating in FMEA and design reviews
• Collaborate with Product Design, SMT Process Engineering, and Equipment Engineering to define tooling requirements.
• Participate in design reviews to assess mechanical manufacturability and handling risks.
• Prototype, test, and validate tooling solutions before production release.

3. Flexible & Small PCB Handling

• Develop tooling to safely handle flexible, rigid-flex, and ultra-small PCBs.
• Address challenges such as warpage, shrinkage, thermal expansion, and alignment.
• Design solutions for vacuum support, clamping, or magnetic retention where applicable.

4. Equipment Adaptation & Improvement

• Design mechanical adaptations or upgrades for existing SMT equipment to accommodate new product requirements.
• Support integration of new SMT equipment by defining mechanical interfaces and tooling needs.
• Troubleshoot mechanical issues impacting yield, alignment, or equipment uptime.

5. Documentation & Standardization

• Create detailed mechanical drawings, 3D models, and bills of materials for all tooling.
• Maintain tooling documentation, revision control, and validation records.
• Contribute to internal standards for SMT tooling and mechanical design best practices.

6. Supplier & Manufacturing Interface

• Work with external tooling suppliers and machine vendors.
• Support tooling fabrication, qualification, and acceptance.
• Define tolerances, materials, and surface treatments suitable for SMT environments.

7. The SMT Mechanical Designer is authorized to:

• Define and approve mechanical tooling concepts for SMT production.
• Involvement in Equipment Design Concept Ø Proposing the solution which is optimal technical and cost wise
• Specify materials, tolerances, and manufacturing methods for SMT tooling.
• Approve tooling designs for fabrication and production use.
• Selecting suppliers for designed parts (out of the list of approved suppliers)
• Stop or delay production if tooling presents a risk to product quality or equipment safety.
• Request design changes to PCB or panelization to improve mechanical manufacturability.
• Recommend capital investment for specialized tooling or equipment modifications.

1. Education: University, major in electronics, electrical, mechanic engineering. 

2. Professional knowledge of: Based on competencies requirement in the table below (*)

3. Knowledge of computer servicing: Microsoft Office, Dynamics, 3D CAD Software (Ex: SolidWorks), Gerber and ODB++ files

4. English: communicative: C level or equal

5. Other: 

• PCB & Electronic Data Interface:

Ability to interpret PCB design data for mechanical tooling purposes, Gerber and ODB++ files

• Basic familiarity with PCB CAD tools (Ex: Altium, Cadence, Mentor)
• Knowledge of rapid prototyping techniques for tooling validation (3D Printing)
• Familiarity with materials used in SMT tooling (aluminum, stainless steel, composites, high-temperature plastics) Experience with tolerance stack-up analysis

- Deformation and flatness analysis

- Thermal expansion and warpage estimation

- Load and clamping force validation

• Open mind, ability to fast learn
• Willingness to travel (NL)