SMT (Surface Mount Technology) Engineering Specialist

About the role

Hadrian - Manufacturing the Future Hadrian is building autonomous factories that help aerospace and defense companies manufacture rockets, satellites, jets, and ships up to 10x faster and up to 2x cheaper. By combining advanced software, robotics, and full-stack manufacturing, we are reinventing how America produces its most critical parts. We’re accelerating our mission with the launch of Factory 3 in Mesa, Arizona, a 290,000-square-foot facility creating 350 new jobs. We are expanding rapidly to support thousands of future hires, launching Hadrian Maritime to expand into naval production, and introducing a Factory-as-a-Service model that delivers complete systems instead of individual parts. Hadrian is backed by leading investors including T. Rowe Price, Lux Capital, Founders Fund, and Andreessen Horowitz, our fast-growing team is united around reindustrializing American manufacturing for the 21st century and beyond. Join Us in Advancing Electronics Assembly We are building high-performance electronics assembly systems by integrating precision equipment, process control, and inspection technologies across the full SMT lifecycle from solder paste deposition through placement, reflow, inspection, and test. We treat SMT as a tightly coupled thermo-mechanical and materials process, where stencil design, component placement accuracy, and reflow thermal profiles directly determine joint reliability, yield, and throughput.We are solving complex challenges in high-density assembly, defect reduction, and production scale-up. This requires engineers with deep expertise in SMT processes and manufacturing systems. This is a general opportunity to engage SMT engineers with specialized experience across key process areas. Core Specialty Areas Solder Paste Deposition: Screen printing, stencil design, paste selection, print process optimization Component Placement: Pick and place systems, feeder optimization, placement accuracy and speed Thermal Processing: Reflow soldering, thermal profiling, defect mitigation (tombstoning, voiding, bridging) Cleaning & Surface Prep: Board cleaning, flux removal, contamination control Inspection & Validation: AOI, X-ray inspection, functional testing, PCBA inspection Test, Rework & Repair: Debug, rework processes, failure analysis What You’ll Do Develop, qualify, and optimize SMT assembly processes for yield, reliability, and throughput Define and control critical parameters (paste volume, placement accuracy, reflow profile, etc.) Partner with manufacturing, quality, and test teams to ensure stable production systems Lead root cause analysis for assembly defects and yield loss Create and maintain process documentation, control plans, and standard work What We’re Looking For Degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience Demonstrated expertise in SMT assembly processes or equipment Strong understanding of solder joint formation, materials, and failure mechanisms Ability to interpret schematics, assembly drawings, and BOMs Experience working in production environments with a focus on yield and process control What Will Set You Apart Experience with high-density or fine-pitch SMT (e.g., BGAs, QFNs, microelectronics) Familiarity with automated inspection systems (AOI, AXI) and data-driven quality systems Experience scaling SMT lines or optimizing for high-volume production Background in aerospace, defense, or high-reliability electronics manufacturing Benefits Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans for employees 401k Relocation support may be provided for certain situations, based on business need. Flexible vacation policy ITAR Requirements To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here . Hadrian Is An Equal Opportunity Employer It is the Company’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. The Company does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race inclusive of traits historically associated with race (including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks and twists), color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, national origin (including, in California, possession of a drivers license), ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, height or weight, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, exercise of reproductive rights, any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws, or any combination of the above characteristics. When necessary, the Company also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled candidates and employees, including for candidates or employees who are disabled by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.