CHIRP is looking for an SMT Manufacturing Engineer to take ownership of our PCB production line and grow with us as we scale. This is a production environment; you will be the person who owns how the line runs day to day.

This is not a hands-off, purely supervisory role. You will start by learning and running a single SMT line yourself, including stencil printing, pick-and-place operation, solder reflow, quality analysis, and rework if needed. As we grow, this role will expand to overseeing multiple lines and building out a team of technicians underneath you.

This role is a great fit for someone reliable, hands-on, detail-oriented, and interested in modern electronics manufacturing. Some days may involve basic line setup and troubleshooting, but the broader responsibility is keeping SMT production running smoothly, efficiently, and at high quality as we scale.

The ideal candidate is not just looking to babysit a line and call it a day. We are looking for someone who wants to understand the process end-to-end, catch problems before they become bigger issues, and help improve how the line and eventually the whole floor operates.

There is plenty of room to grow for someone who wants to do more. As we expand from one line to multiple lines, this role will grow into leading process, quality, and a team of technicians who report to you.

• Set up and run the SMT line, including stencil printing, pick-and-place, reflow, and additional machines as we grow.
• Develop and adjust process parameters (reflow profiles, print settings, placement programs) for new and existing builds
• Monitor line performance and respond to defects, alarms, and stoppages
• Inspect parts using AOI and manual methods to ensure quality standards are met
• Diagnose and correct common SMT defects (bridging, tombstoning, insufficient wetting, shifted components, etc.)
• Maintain documentation such as work instructions, process travelers, and line setup sheets
• Manage part inventories, including purchasing BOMs and organizing stored parts
• Track and report yield, throughput, and quality metrics
• Keep the work area clean, organized, and safe
• Communicate issues, tooling problems, quality concerns, or process improvements to the team
• Perform basic maintenance and upkeep on SMT equipment and supporting tools
• Set up and qualify additional SMT lines and hire technicians to aid in the manufacturing process

• Experience with SMT manufacturing, electronics assembly, or production work
• Working knowledge of SMT equipment such as pick-and-place, stencil printers, reflow ovens, and AOI/SPI systems
• Understanding of ESD, humidity, and proper storage/handling requirements for moisture-sensitive and static-sensitive components
• Familiarity with IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 standards, or willingness to learn them
• Ability to stay organized while managing a line and multiple priorities
• Comfortable working around machinery and following safety procedures
• Good attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and take ownership of a production area
• Ability to read BOMs, assembly drawings, and basic PCB documentation
• Leadership experience and willingness to grow with the role
• Must be a U.S citizen of green card holder
• Work on location in Torrance, CA, USA
• Minimum a BS in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field.

CHIRP Robotics is a well-funded seed-stage startup operating in stealth mode and based in Torrance, California. The company aims to become a leading U.S. provider of modular intelligence and autonomous systems for a wide range of vehicles and applications. It has an impressive portfolio of patents on the hardware side and IP in software / algorithms. CHIRP’s CEO, a founding member of SpaceX, brings extensive technical expertise, a strong professional network, and significant business leadership experience.