As a Test Engineer at Rocket EMS, you will play a key role in supporting product quality and production readiness across our SMT manufacturing lines. This position is responsible for developing, optimizing, validating, and maintaining Automated X-ray Inspection programs used to inspect PCB assemblies for solder quality, hidden joints, component placement, polarity, voiding, bridging, and other workmanship defects.

Requirements

This role requires strong technical judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to troubleshoot both program-related and process-related inspection issues.

Escalate critical or recurring defects immediately and stop production when product quality may be at risk. Support continuous improvement efforts related to inspection efficiency, false call reduction, defect capture, and process stability.

, and safety standards.

Ability to distinguish between true defects, process variation, and false calls.

Responsibilities

Develop, modify, and maintain AXI inspection programs for new and existing PCB assemblies. Create and optimize inspection parameters for BGAs, QFNs, bottom-terminated components, through-hole solder joints, hidden solder connections, and other critical features. Review and interpret job documentation including MPIs, BOMs, CAD data, Gerbers, assembly drawings, ECOs, deviations, and customer specifications.

Support new product introduction by creating AXI programs prior to or during first builds. Validate AXI programs through first article inspection, golden board comparison, defect verification, and production feedback. Adjust AXI algorithms, thresholds, inspection windows, and acceptance criteria to reduce false calls while maintaining defect detection capability.

Analyze AXI images and inspection results to determine true defects, process issues, program issues, or false rejects. Support inspection of PCB assemblies to IPC-A-610 Class 2 and Class 3 workmanship standards. Partner with Process Engineering, Quality, SMT, and Rework teams to identify recurring solder defects and support root-cause analysis.

Provide technical support to AOI/AXI Operators during production runs. Train operators on program usage, defect review expectations, and proper escalation of inspection concerns.

Qualifications

Education High school diploma or equivalent required. Technical training, associate degree, or equivalent experience in electronics manufacturing, SMT, electronics inspection, or related field preferred. Experience Minimum of 3 years of experience in SMT, AOI, AXI, electronics inspection, or PCB assembly manufacturing preferred.

Prior experience creating or programming AXI inspection programs strongly preferred. Experience with high-reliability, aerospace, medical, defense, or contract electronics manufacturing is a plus. Experience working with IPC-A-610 Class 2 and Class 3 assemblies preferred.

IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification preferred. Skills Strong understanding of SMT assembly processes, solder defects, component types, and PCB workmanship standards. Ability to program, troubleshoot, and optimize AXI inspection routines.

Ability to interpret AXI images and identify defects such as insufficient solder, bridging, voiding, opens, shorts, head-in-pillow, misalignment, polarity errors, and BGA/QFN solder issues. Ability to read and understand BOMs, assembly drawings, CAD data, Gerbers, MPIs, ECOs, and customer specifications.