PCB Fab DFM/SMT Engineer

Location: Los Angeles, Canada | Palo Alto, Canada

Department: Spectacles

Employment Type: Full time

About Snap Inc

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together.

About the Role

Snap Inc. is a technology company that believes the camera—and now AR—presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We empower people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together through Snapchat, Lens Studio, and our groundbreaking Spectacles AR glasses. The Spectacles team is pushing the boundaries of wearable AR technology, with fifth-generation Spectacles powered by Snap OS enabling standalone, see-through experiences that transform playing, learning, and working. Join our innovative, creative culture as a PCB Fab DFM/SMT Engineer on the Spectacles team, where you'll bridge hardware design, fabrication vendors, and SMT assembly to deliver high-quality, cost-effective PCBs for cutting-edge AR innovation. In this role, you'll ensure PCB designs for rigid boards and flexes adhere to DFM/DFT/DFR guidelines, oversee SMT processes, troubleshoot manufacturing issues, and optimize workflows for superior yield and reliability in our compact AR hardware. Collaborate closely with engineering, board designers, technical operations, and Asian contract manufacturers to run DFM checks, negotiate design rules, recommend stack-ups and materials, and drive a technology roadmap for product miniaturization. Your expertise will support prototype builds (with 10-30% travel, primarily to Asia) and continuous improvements in factory performance, directly enabling Spectacles to bring people closer together in the real world. We're seeking a detail-oriented engineer with 7+ years in consumer electronics PCB/PCBA, strong SMT and fabrication knowledge, and a passion for AR hardware. Thrive in our 'Default Together' environment, working 4+ days per week in-office to fuel dynamic collaboration in a diverse, inclusive team. Snap is an equal opportunity employer committed to innovation through varied backgrounds, offering competitive pay (Zone A: $190,000-$284,000 base), RSUs, comprehensive benefits, and the chance to shape the future of AR at a company that's redefining human connection.

What You'll Do

• Work with engineering, board designers, technical operations, and contract manufacturers to ensure SMT and PCB fabrication design for manufacturability
• Collaborate with PCB fabrication suppliers to consolidate and negotiate PCB/flex design rules
• Run DFM checks using automated tools and resolve conflicts/issues with PCB designers, EE, and suppliers
• Provide PCB/flex stack-up and material recommendations optimized for AR hardware performance
• Offer guidance and review of PCBs/flexes to optimize yields, performance, and reliability in Spectacles prototypes
• Serve as subject matter expert on PCB process and DFM requirements for Engineering and Operations
• Plan, coordinate, and analyze Design-of-Experiments to improve manufacturing and fabrication capabilities
• Plan, manage, and execute a PCB technology roadmap to drive product miniaturization for next-gen AR glasses
• Support prototype builds with contract manufacturers in Asia (estimated travel 10-30%, primarily to Asia)
• Drive continuous improvement in factory yield and throughput for Spectacles production
• Provide failure analysis and resolution for fabrication and SMT-related defects
• Ensure PCB designs adhere to DFM/DFT/DFR guidelines bridging hardware design, vendors, and assembly operations

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or equivalent
• 7+ years of experience with PCB/PCBA in the consumer electronics industry
• Strong background in PCB and flex fabrication
• Background and experience with SMT screen printing, placement, reflow, and other SMT technologies
• Solid understanding of Six Sigma concepts
• Demonstrated ability to design, execute, and evaluate Design-of-Experiments
• Able to prioritize duties and work independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills with high attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related technical field
• Experience working collaboratively with internal and external partners, domestic and overseas
• Six Sigma Black Belt certification
• Strong understanding of PCB fabrication processes including stack-ups, laminates, plating, drilling, HDI, and impedance control
• Experience with HDI, rigid-flex, flex, microvia structures, and high-speed designs
• Proficiency with ECAD/MCAD tools such as Cadence Allegro, CAM350, Valor, and NX

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• PCB and flex fabrication expertise
• SMT technologies including screen printing, placement, and reflow
• DFM tool utilization for PCBA and padstack designs
• Analytic tools such as x-ray, cross-sections, and red-dye
• Six Sigma concepts
• Design-of-Experiments planning and evaluation
• PCB stack-up and material recommendations
• Failure analysis for fabrication and SMT defects
• HDI, rigid-flex, flex, microvia, and high-speed design knowledge
• ECAD/MCAD tools (Cadence Allegro, CAM350, Valor, NX)
• DFM, DFA, DFT documentation review and generation
• Interpretation of fabrication drawings, assembly files, stack-ups, and material specs
• Independent prioritization and execution
• Interpersonal communication and collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Yield and throughput optimization
• Vendor negotiation and management
• Prototype build support in Asia

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Compensation packages with equity in the form of RSUs
• "Default Together" policy fostering dynamic in-person collaboration 4+ days per week
• Opportunities to contribute to innovative AR products like Spectacles
• Support for diverse backgrounds in a creative, inclusive culture
• Competitive base salary based on pay zones (Zone A: $190,000-$284,000; Zone B: $181,000-$270,000; Zone C: $162,000-$241,000)

Compensation

10-30

This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.

"Default Together" Policy: At Snap Inc, we practice a "default together" approach and expect team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.