Process Engineer - PCB Wet Process

Description

Position Summary:

We are seeking a Wet Process Engineer to support and optimize chemical processing operations within a high-precision manufacturing environment. This role will be responsible for maintaining process performance, driving continuous improvement initiatives, troubleshooting production challenges, and ensuring compliance with quality, environmental, and safety requirements.

This opportunity is ideal for an engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing problems, working cross-functionally with production and quality teams, and making a direct impact on product quality and operational efficiency.

Essential Job Functions:

- Develop, monitor, and optimize wet process manufacturing operations, including plating, etching, cleaning, stripping, and surface treatment processes.
- Evaluate process performance and conduct risk assessments to improve product quality, consistency, and throughput.
- Investigate process-related issues, identify root causes, and implement corrective actions.
- Support compliance with customer requirements, manufacturing specifications, and environmental, health, and safety regulations.
- Partner with Production, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to improve process capability and operational performance.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, yield, and cost reduction.
- Create and maintain engineering documentation, including process instructions, SOPs, control plans, risk assessments, test reports, and change documentation.
- Research, evaluate, and recommend new equipment, technologies, and process improvements to support future growth and manufacturing requirements.

Required Qualifications:

- Strong knowledge of PCB fabrication and manufacturing processes, including experience supporting rigid, flex, and rigid-flex printed circuit board technologies.
- Experience supporting wet process operations such as plating, etching, stripping, cleaning, surface finishing, or related chemical manufacturing processes.
- Experience working within aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments, including familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, IPC, and J-STD standards.
- Demonstrated ability to monitor and optimize manufacturing processes, troubleshoot production issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing documentation, including SOPs, process maps, PFMEAs, engineering change documentation, work instructions, and test reports.
- Proficiency with ERP systems, Minitab, and/or other statistical analysis software.
- Ability to read, interpret, and analyze engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T requirements.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Production, Quality, and Maintenance teams.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism.

Education + Experience:

- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
- 2-3+ years of Wet Process Engineering experience within a PCB manufacturing environment.
- Experience working within aerospace or other highly regulated manufacturing environments, including familiarity with AS9100, ISO 9001, IPC, and J-STD standards.
- Experience working with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including OSHA, EPA, or similar compliance requirements.

Skills

erp, gd&t, drawings, pcb, wet process, Manufacturing engineering, Process improvement, Process engineering, Continuous improvement, Manufacturing process, pc board, pcb manufacturing, medical device, erp system, outer layer etching, etching, copper plating, micro-etch, test process, corrective action plans, corrective action, production cycle, as9100, aerospace, engineering documentation, root cause analysis, process deviation, ECR, process maps, pFMEA, SOP, part drawings, engineering drawings, interpret drawings, test reports, travelers, new production equipment, design equipment layout, equipment layout, equipment implementation, PCB fabrication, rigid-flex printed circuit boards, printed circuit boards, Minitab, wet process engineering

Top Skills Details

erp,gd&t,drawings,pcb,wet process

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Highly detail-oriented with excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Production, Quality, and Maintenance teams.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism.
- Experience working with environmental, health, and safety regulations, including OSHA, EPA, or similar compliance requirements.

Experience Level

Intermediate Level

Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Santa Ana, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $45.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Santa Ana,CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.