QC Lead - Excesser at SMT, Corp. – Sandy Hook, Connecticut

About SMT, Corp.
SMT Corp. is recognized as the industry leader in counterfeit electronics detection and supply chain assurance, providing mission-critical components and verification services for high-reliability applications.

About the role

• The QC Department Lead serves as the primary technical point of contact for the inspection team. This is a "working lead" role designed for an experienced individual contributor ready to step into a leadership position. You will split your time between performing high-level inspections on electronic components and coordinating the daily workflow of the QC technicians to ensure all certification deadlines are met.

What you'll do

• Describe the specific responsibilities and job functions of the role
• Daily Coordination: Assign tasks to the QC team based on the daily production schedule. Monitor progress to ensure batches move through the lab efficiently.
• Technical Mentorship: Act as the first point of escalation for technicians when they encounter a borderline pass/fail result. Provide on-the-job training for new hires on inspection equipment.
• Hands-on Inspection: Perform complex visual and mechanical inspections of component packages, looking for defects such as lead damage, marking errors, or package anomalies using microscopes and other tools.
• Inventory Management: Assess and verify incoming stock from consignors, ensuring items meet required quality standards. This includes accurately identifying parts, evaluating condition, and resolving any discrepancies. Oversee inventory management, maintaining accurate records, organizing stock, and ensuring efficient stock control processes.
• Equipment Upkeep: Perform basic daily checks and cleanings on lab equipment. Notify maintenance or engineering when a station requires calibration or repair.
• Safety & Organization: Maintain a clean, ESD-safe environment (5S) and ensure all team members are following proper handling protocols for sensitive components.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3+ years of hands-on experience in quality control, preferably within a semiconductor, electronics, or aerospace environment.
• Education: Associate degree in a technical field or a High School Diploma with equivalent professional experience.
• Technical Proficiency: Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings and datasheets.
• Familiarity with IPC or JEDEC standards (even if not currently certified).
• Comfortable using digital microscopes and basic measurement tools (calipers, micrometers).
• Computer Skills: Intermediate proficiency in Excel for data entry and the ability to learn and guide others on the use of Laboratory Information Management Systems.

What success looks like

• Detail Orientation: You notice the small things that others miss—whether it’s a typo on a label or a microscopic crack in a ceramic package. The ideal candidate combines strong attention to detail with practical problem-solving skills and the ability to work with a wide range of components.
• Communication: You can clearly explain "the why" behind a quality standard to your teammates without being overbearing.
• Dependability: You are the person the team looks to when things get busy, and you lead by example through your own work ethic.