Process Development Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Process Development Engineers are strong H-1B visa and O-1 visa candidates. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a degree in chemical, mechanical, or materials engineering, and employers in pharma, semiconductor, and biotech routinely sponsor visas for this title. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Get Access To All JobsSenior SMT Process Engineer
Position Summary
Advantest Interconnect Solutions (AIS) is seeking a highly experienced Senior SMT Process Engineer to lead Surface Mount Technology (SMT) process development, optimization, and manufacturing stability initiatives at our Fremont, California facility.
This role is responsible for establishing world-class SMT manufacturing processes that deliver predictable quality, yield, throughput, and reliability while supporting advanced semiconductor test interface products and complex PCB assemblies. The position serves as the technical owner for SMT process capability and continuous improvement, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and our Taiwan manufacturing team to standardize and scale best practices across AIS's global assembly operations.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on manufacturing expert capable of solving complex process challenges, improving operational performance, and supporting new product introductions from prototype through high-volume production.
Key Responsibilities
SMT Process Ownership & Stability
- Serve as the technical owner for all SMT manufacturing processes within the Fremont facility.
- Develop and maintain robust process controls to ensure stable, repeatable production performance.
- Monitor and improve key manufacturing metrics, including:
- First-Pass Yield (FPY)
- Defects Per Million (DPM)
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Scrap and Rework
- Cycle Time
- Throughput
- Establish process capability targets and statistical control methodologies.
- Lead root-cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Process Development & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, qualify, and implement new SMT assembly processes, materials, and equipment.
- Optimize:
- Solder Printing
- Component Placement
- Reflow Soldering
- Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
- Solder Paste Inspection (SPI)
- Selective Soldering
- Conformal Coating (where required)
- Drive process improvements focused on quality, capacity, automation, and cost reduction.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Provide manufacturing expertise during design reviews and product development.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Applications Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure manufacturability.
- Develop process validation plans and qualification criteria for new products.
- Support prototype builds, pilot runs, and production ramp activities.
Global Operations Collaboration
- Partner closely with AIS's Taiwan assembly operations to establish common process standards and best practices.
- Drive cross-site process harmonization and knowledge transfer.
- Participate in global manufacturing reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support benchmarking and replication of successful process improvements across AIS assembly locations.
Equipment & Technology Leadership
- Define equipment requirements and process technology roadmaps.
- Support selection, installation, qualification, and optimization of SMT manufacturing equipment.
- Collaborate with Maintenance and Equipment Engineering teams to maximize uptime and process capability.
- Evaluate emerging SMT technologies and automation opportunities.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with IPC standards and customer-specific manufacturing requirements.
- Support customer audits, internal audits, and corrective action activities.
- Lead PFMEA, Control Plan, and process validation activities.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence and continuous quality improvement.
Leadership & Mentoring
- Provide technical leadership to manufacturing engineers, technicians, and production personnel.
- Develop standardized work instructions, process documentation, and training materials.
- Mentor junior engineers and help build AIS's long-term manufacturing capabilities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in SMT manufacturing and process engineering.
- Proven experience supporting high-complexity PCB and PCBA manufacturing environments.
- Strong expertise in:
- SMT process development
- Solder paste printing
- Placement optimization
- Reflow profiling
- AOI/SPI systems
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Root cause analysis
- Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Demonstrated success improving yield, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Strong data analysis and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to travel internationally, including periodic travel to Taiwan.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in semiconductor test, ATE, high-performance computing, networking, or other advanced electronics manufacturing environments.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience with MES systems, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and manufacturing automation.
- Knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and related industry standards.
- Experience supporting global manufacturing organizations and multi-site operations.
- Familiarity with advanced packaging, high-density interconnect (HDI) assemblies, and high-reliability electronics.
Success Measures
During the first 12-18 months, the Senior SMT Process Engineer will be expected to:
- Establish Fremont as a benchmark SMT operation within AIS.
- Improve first-pass yield, cycle time, and throughput.
- Reduce process variation and defect opportunities.
- Standardize SMT processes between Fremont and Taiwan where appropriate.
- Support capacity growth and new product introductions.
- Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives that improve scalability and operational performance.
Senior SMT Process Engineer
Position Summary
Advantest Interconnect Solutions (AIS) is seeking a highly experienced Senior SMT Process Engineer to lead Surface Mount Technology (SMT) process development, optimization, and manufacturing stability initiatives at our Fremont, California facility.
This role is responsible for establishing world-class SMT manufacturing processes that deliver predictable quality, yield, throughput, and reliability while supporting advanced semiconductor test interface products and complex PCB assemblies. The position serves as the technical owner for SMT process capability and continuous improvement, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Supply Chain, and our Taiwan manufacturing team to standardize and scale best practices across AIS's global assembly operations.
The successful candidate will be a hands-on manufacturing expert capable of solving complex process challenges, improving operational performance, and supporting new product introductions from prototype through high-volume production.
Key Responsibilities
SMT Process Ownership & Stability
- Serve as the technical owner for all SMT manufacturing processes within the Fremont facility.
- Develop and maintain robust process controls to ensure stable, repeatable production performance.
- Monitor and improve key manufacturing metrics, including:
- First-Pass Yield (FPY)
- Defects Per Million (DPM)
- Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
- Scrap and Rework
- Cycle Time
- Throughput
- Establish process capability targets and statistical control methodologies.
- Lead root-cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies.
Process Development & Continuous Improvement
- Develop, qualify, and implement new SMT assembly processes, materials, and equipment.
- Optimize:
- Solder Printing
- Component Placement
- Reflow Soldering
- Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
- Solder Paste Inspection (SPI)
- Selective Soldering
- Conformal Coating (where required)
- Drive process improvements focused on quality, capacity, automation, and cost reduction.
- Implement Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Provide manufacturing expertise during design reviews and product development.
- Partner with Design Engineering, Applications Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure manufacturability.
- Develop process validation plans and qualification criteria for new products.
- Support prototype builds, pilot runs, and production ramp activities.
Global Operations Collaboration
- Partner closely with AIS's Taiwan assembly operations to establish common process standards and best practices.
- Drive cross-site process harmonization and knowledge transfer.
- Participate in global manufacturing reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support benchmarking and replication of successful process improvements across AIS assembly locations.
Equipment & Technology Leadership
- Define equipment requirements and process technology roadmaps.
- Support selection, installation, qualification, and optimization of SMT manufacturing equipment.
- Collaborate with Maintenance and Equipment Engineering teams to maximize uptime and process capability.
- Evaluate emerging SMT technologies and automation opportunities.
Quality & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with IPC standards and customer-specific manufacturing requirements.
- Support customer audits, internal audits, and corrective action activities.
- Lead PFMEA, Control Plan, and process validation activities.
- Drive a culture of operational excellence and continuous quality improvement.
Leadership & Mentoring
- Provide technical leadership to manufacturing engineers, technicians, and production personnel.
- Develop standardized work instructions, process documentation, and training materials.
- Mentor junior engineers and help build AIS's long-term manufacturing capabilities.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in SMT manufacturing and process engineering.
- Proven experience supporting high-complexity PCB and PCBA manufacturing environments.
- Strong expertise in:
- SMT process development
- Solder paste printing
- Placement optimization
- Reflow profiling
- AOI/SPI systems
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Root cause analysis
- Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Demonstrated success improving yield, quality, and manufacturing efficiency.
- Strong data analysis and problem-solving capabilities.
- Ability to travel internationally, including periodic travel to Taiwan.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in semiconductor test, ATE, high-performance computing, networking, or other advanced electronics manufacturing environments.
- Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
- Experience with MES systems, Industry 4.0 initiatives, and manufacturing automation.
- Knowledge of IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, and related industry standards.
- Experience supporting global manufacturing organizations and multi-site operations.
- Familiarity with advanced packaging, high-density interconnect (HDI) assemblies, and high-reliability electronics.
Success Measures
During the first 12-18 months, the Senior SMT Process Engineer will be expected to:
- Establish Fremont as a benchmark SMT operation within AIS.
- Improve first-pass yield, cycle time, and throughput.
- Reduce process variation and defect opportunities.
- Standardize SMT processes between Fremont and Taiwan where appropriate.
- Support capacity growth and new product introductions.
- Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives that improve scalability and operational performance.
See all 2,173+ Process Development Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Process Development Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Process Development Engineer
Target industries with established sponsorship pipelines
Pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and biotech manufacturers sponsor Process Development Engineers at high rates. These industries have internal immigration teams familiar with H-1B filings, which speeds up the process and reduces the risk of petition errors.
Align your degree field to the role description
H-1B approval for this title depends on proving specialty occupation. A degree in chemical, mechanical, materials, or biomedical engineering maps cleanly to the role. Degrees in unrelated fields require stronger documentation to establish the connection.
Prioritize larger employers for first sponsorship
Large manufacturers and contract development organizations have sponsored this role repeatedly, giving them established LCA and I-129 workflows. First-time sponsors face longer timelines and higher petition risk, which matters if you're on OPT deadlines.
Highlight process validation and scale-up experience
Employers filing H-1B petitions for this role need to demonstrate the job requires a specific degree. Framing your work around process validation, tech transfer, and scale-up reinforces the specialty occupation argument in your petition documentation.
Understand how OPT STEM extension timelines interact with H-1B
The H-1B lottery runs in March for October starts. If your OPT expires before October, confirm your employer can bridge the gap with a STEM extension. Process Development Engineering qualifies under most STEM-designated CIP codes.
Ask about cap-exempt employers early
Hospitals, universities, and nonprofit research institutions attached to higher education are cap-exempt, meaning no lottery. Some biotech and pharma R&D roles sit within cap-exempt entities. Identifying these early removes lottery risk from your sponsorship path entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Process Development Engineer qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. The role consistently qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires theoretical and practical application of chemical, mechanical, or materials engineering principles at the bachelor's level or higher. USCIS has approved H-1B visa petitions for this title across pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and biotech employers. The strongest petitions tie specific job duties to degree requirements rather than relying on the job title alone.
Which visa types do employers typically sponsor for this role?
H-1B is the most common path, used by the majority of Process Development Engineers entering the U.S. workforce. O-1A is an option for candidates with publications, patents, or industry awards. L-1B applies if you're transferring from a foreign affiliate of a U.S. company with specialized knowledge of proprietary processes. TN visa classification is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals with engineering degrees.
What degree does an employer need to demonstrate for H-1B approval?
USCIS requires the employer to show that a specific bachelor's degree in a directly related field is the normal minimum for the position. For Process Development Engineer, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, and biomedical engineering all satisfy this. A general engineering degree may require additional supporting documentation. Degrees in business, biology, or unrelated sciences will face closer scrutiny and may require a detailed nexus argument.
How do I find Process Development Engineer roles that sponsor visas?
Migrate Mate lists Process Development Engineer positions specifically filtered for visa sponsorship, so you're not sorting through postings that don't apply to international candidates. Past H-1B filings are publicly available through DOL disclosure data, which lets you verify whether a specific employer has sponsored this role before. Combining both sources gives you the most accurate picture of where real sponsorship opportunities exist.
Can I get sponsored for this role without a U.S. degree?
Yes. USCIS accepts foreign degrees that are equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree in a relevant field. A three-year engineering degree from some countries may require a credential evaluation to establish equivalency. Work experience can supplement academic credentials under the three-for-one rule, where three years of specialized experience substitutes for one year of formal education, but a full degree equivalent still needs to be demonstrated.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Process Development Engineer jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.