DFM and SMT Engineer

Summary

At Celestica, we don’t just manufacture high-complexity technology—we design, engineer, and optimize the hardware powering the future. As a global leader in design, engineering, and manufacturing services, our teams partner with world-changing brands across cloud infrastructure, aerospace, defense, healthtech, and advanced electronics. Located in Richardson, TX, our site offers a collaborative, fast-paced environment where your technical voice directly impacts the physical products shaping tomorrow’s technology landscape.

The DFM and SMT Engineer runs the Design for Manufacturability (DFM) screen during the design phase. Rather than tossing reports "over the wall," this role engages directly with hardware layout designers to review PCB/PCBA packages against established DFM rules, log findings with concrete evidence, and drive issue dispositions. Operating at the intersection of Hardware Design, PCB Fabrication, and Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Assembly, this position acts as a technical gatekeeper ensuring design packages are optimized for seamless manufacturing, while directly supporting site-specific SMT process questions.

Note: This position focuses strictly on manufacturability evidenced against a rule set and is not a general design reviewer or site drawing checker.

Detailed Description

• Pre-DFM Screening: Run pre-DFM analysis on assigned packages using automated toolsets (e.g., Valor) and issue formal reports before release within agreed turnaround times.

• Finding Logging & Evidence: Log every DFM finding in the central register, specifying severity level, routing paths, and the technical evidence supporting the rule.

• Direct Issue Disposition: Partner directly with layout engineers to resolve findings—driving design changes where appropriate or negotiating process/supplier mitigations when layout adjustments are not feasible.

• Verification & Closure: Verify closure of dispositioned issues on subsequent build revisions and document closure evidence.

• Site SMT Support: Serve as the subject matter expert supporting site-level DFM, PCB fabrication, and SMT process questions for assigned programs.

• Continuous Improvement & Tool Maintenance: Propose rule changes when findings recur across platforms, and actively maintain/update Valor check encodings for all rules within scope.

• Ownership & Performance: Own key deliverables—including pre-DFM reports, register finding entries with closure evidence, Valor rule encodings, and rule change proposals. Performance is measured on pre-DFM coverage, review turnaround times, the percentage of findings successfully closed, and the elimination of repeat findings.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Deep technical expertise in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), PCB fabrication, and SMT assembly processes for high-density, complex electronic assemblies.

• High proficiency with DFM automated analysis tools (specifically Siemens Valor NPI/Valor MSS) including rule encoding and setup.

• Solid familiarity with IPC standards (e.g., IPC-A-610, IPC-2221/2222, IPC-7351) regarding PCB design, land patterns, component clearances, and solderability.

• Hands-on understanding of SMT manufacturing parameters, stencil design, reflow profiling, and PCB fabrication tolerances.

• Strong cross-functional communication and direct collaborative skills to partner with hardware layout engineers, Manufacturing Test Leads (MTLs), and site SMT process teams.

Physical Demands

• Duties of this position are performed in a normal office environment.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data. 
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Typical Experience

• 4 to 8 years of experience in DFM, PCB fabrication engineering, or SMT process engineering within high-complexity electronics manufacturing.

Typical Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical discipline.

Educational Requirements may vary by Geography

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.