Sr. Manufacturing Test Engineer

Digital Control Incorporated (DCI) is the world’s leading supplier of underground locating and steering products for the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry. Since the introduction of this revolutionary technology 30 years ago, Digital Control has been at the forefront of trenchless technologies that enable the efficient installation of underground utilities such as fiber optic, telecom, gas, and water lines world-wide. DCI’s products are valued for their durable design, ease of use and uncompromising commitment to customer service.

We are seeking a Sr. Manufacturing Test Engineer for our new and growing Manufacturing Design Engineering (MDE) team in Kent, Washington. In this role you’ll collaborate with diverse cross-functional teams to develop and improve all areas of the qualification and in-process testing systems within manufacturing operations. This includes creating and performing data analytics for existing and new test parameters to improve first time product acceptance and product defect detection capabilities. If you’re hands-on and passionate about applying your expertise in test development and execution to technology and continuous improvement, then DCI could be a perfect fit for you!

MDE is a new function at DCI so you’ll have the opportunity to build and deliver new capabilities and solutions for global customers, new product development teams and manufacturing partners.

What you’ll do:

Test process engineering

• Develop, implement, and maintain new manufacturing test equipment, controls and data acquisition solutions to automate production testing of complex products
• Evaluate and recommend solutions to increase the efficiency and yield of existing manufacturing test systems, automated equipment, and processes
• Create and evaluate performance results databases and data analytics, provide reports and proposals to improve manufacturing test processes or enhance product manufacturing

New product introduction

• Work closely with Hardware and Software design teams to ensure test equipment and processes required for new products meet the standards expected in the manufacturing environment
• Develop new manufacturing quality control test processes and systems, including hardware and software designs

Responsibilities:

• End-to-end ownership of the manufacturing testing process from the design phase through final product validation to enhance quality and operational efficiency
• Provide technical / product expertise for new products and any test related issues through the life of the product
• Develop software programs and use computer software and hardware to conduct manufacturing tests on electronic products and systems
• Create and evaluate performance results databases and data analytics
• Perform statistical analysis of databases to improve first time product acceptance and product defect detection capabilities
• Improve and repair mechanical/electrical equipment, develop and specify calibration routines, and troubleshoot electrical controls related problems
• Collaborate with R&D engineers to prepare manufacturing and test equipment concepts for production
• Establish partnerships and relationships with suppliers and vendors, including aiming for closure of potential test gaps and correlation issues between vendors and in house processes
• Translate between engineering and business requirements

Requirements

• 7 - 10+ years' experience in electronics manufacturing, with excellent understanding of electronics assembly processes
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering, mathematics, or science discipline
• Knowledgeable in production control processes, data analysis/interpretation, Cp/Cpk and correlation analysis
• Experience performing manufacturing test system integration, development testing and troubleshooting using custom test equipment and standard lab test equipment for problem discovery and isolation
• Experience programming testing platforms for data acquisition, instrument control, and automation in LabVIEW or similar language
• Familiarity with common instrumentation testing equipment and data acquisition and control systems
• Creative problem solving, with experience in failure analysis, root cause investigation, and issue resolution
• High level of analytical ability, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Strong teamwork and communication skills (written and verbal)

Nice to Have:

• Knowledge of FCC and/or other certification processes

Who are you

• Self-driven, results oriented engineer who strives to create clean, well designed manufacturing test solutions without taking short-cuts
• You prefer a role where you get to do a lot of different things collaborating with a team to create novel solutions for challenging problems
• You are looking for an opportunity to take the initiative, shape the direction, and see all tasks through from start to finish
• You are an analytical thinker with excellent judgment and strong problem-solving skills

Benefits

• Unparalleled health benefits (PPO plan with no deductibles, no co-pays, DCI covers 99% of costs)
• Quarterly bonuses: we all share in the success of the company
• Professional development
• 401k match (3% match from DCI regardless of participation, 5% maximum match, 100% vested immediately)
• 22 days PTO
• Parental leave
• Company covers 100% of payroll taxes for state family medical leave
• 11 annual paid holidays plus 1 floating holiday
• Winter break (we are closed the last week of each year)
• See more benefits information here.

Compensation:

• DCI is proud to offer comprehensive compensation packages including competitive base pay and discretionary quarterly profit sharing bonuses to all part-time and full-time team members. Base pay is reviewed at a minimum on an annual basis.
• Pay range: $121,100 - 142,200 per year. To ensure equity, our compensation philosophy is to bring people into new roles in the range of the mid-point of that role. Factors considered for pay include the level of skill, experience, training, external market factors, and internal value.
• Profit sharing bonus: Over the last 3 years, quarterly bonuses ranged between 11% and 27%. Future bonuses could be higher or lower depending on company profits.

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to still apply. You may be just the right candidate for this or another role at DCI.

Why DCI?

Work hard, play often... DCI employees are innovative and creative. Our open (forest-like) work environment creates free flowing conversations across all functions. We have gaming days; Lego challenges and ping pong matches to build on our creativity when one hits a roadblock. If that is not enough, our employees bring their four-legged companions (dogs) to work and can take them for a walk around the Green River trail.

DCI takes pride in caring a lot about our employees. We believe that employees should not be burdened with benefits expenses, so we provide lucrative health care plans unmatched in most other companies. We also like to eat at DCI and find any excuse to celebrate the most random holidays (Pi Day, Chocolate Ice Cream Day, etc.) We have monthly catered lunches, a fully stocked snack area, sporting tickets, wellness competitions, and most importantly a team of people who will tell you that DCI is the best place they've ever worked. This is evident by our long service team and low turnover.

We Celebrate Inclusion:

DCI is an equal opportunity employer. Employment at DCI is based solely on a person's merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. DCI does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), or any other basis protected by law.

It is DCI’s policy to comply with all applicable national, state and local laws pertaining to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity. The Company's EEO policy includes the full & complete support of the Company and all levels of leadership. Because it's just the right thing to do. We hope you think so too.