What is a Process Engineer? Responsibilities and career paths

Modern electronics manufacturing is fast-moving. Every day, companies across the UK and Europe depend on stable, efficient processes to bring complex products to life. Process Engineers are the professionals who make this possible. 

If you’re exploring Process Engineer jobs within electronics manufacturing, here’s a breakdown of what Process Engineers do, how they fit into electronics production, key responsibilities, and the career paths available to engineers in this growing field.

What is a Process Engineer?

A Process Engineer in electronics manufacturing is responsible for designing, optimising and controlling the processes used to build electronic components and complete electronic systems. Rather than focusing on the design of the product itself, Process Engineers focus on how the product is manufactured, introduced (NPI), and how well the process performs.

What do Process Engineers do?

The responsibilities of a Process Engineer are broad, but they all revolve around improving the stability, efficiency and quality of electronics manufacturing processes. Because modern production lines contain complex, tightly controlled steps, Process Engineers are responsible for making sure each stage performs exactly as expected.

Here’s some of the responsibilities you can expect to see in a Process Engineer job description:

Develop and optimise manufacturing processes

Before a new product enters production, Process Engineers create the controlled processes needed to build it. They define critical parameters, ensure process windows are achievable and make sure equipment is capable of meeting the required tolerances.

These are some of the core processes that Process Engineers typically define and optimise:

• SMT stencil design, paste deposition and reflow profiling
• Through-hole soldering and wave soldering optimisation
• PCB cleaning, conformal coating or encapsulation
• Manual and automated assembly procedures
• AOI, X-ray, ICT and functional test processes

Perform structured root cause analysis

When variation or defects appear, Process Engineers lead investigations to identify why they occurred and how to prevent recurrence. Electronics manufacturing involves many interacting variables, so analytical problem-solving is essential.

They use structured problem-solving techniques such as:

• SPC review and data-driven pattern identification
• Fault tree analysis
• Containment, corrective and preventative actions

Introduce and validate new equipment

Modern electronics manufacturing relies heavily on automation. Process Engineers ensure new equipment integrates safely and effectively into the production environment.

This might include:

• SMT machines, feeders and inspection systems
• Reflow ovens and thermal profiling equipment
• Automated optical inspection
• Robotics and automated assembly systems
• Test equipment for ICT or functional testing

Drive continuous improvement

A core part of the Process Engineer role is improving yield, reducing waste and increasing line efficiency. Their work directly impacts cost, quality and delivery performance.

Continuous improvement activities and Lean Manufacturing typically include:

• Reducing rework and scrap - minimising defects
• Minimising cycle time - streamline process
• Improving material flow and assembly sequencing - optimising layout
• Using SPC to understand process behaviour - control variations
• Identifying cost-saving opportunities

Why are Process Engineers important in electronics manufacturing?

Electronics production involves precise, tightly controlled processes. Small deviations in temperature, alignment or timing can create defects that impact reliability in the field. Process Engineers ensure these variations are understood, controlled and minimised.

Process Engineers are important because they:

• Increase yield and reduce scrap
• Stabilise production flows and minimise downtime
• Enable predictable NPI ramp-up
• Improve long-term product quality
• Maintain compliance with industry and defence standards
• Help manufacturers scale capacity efficiently

What skills do Process Engineers need?

Electronics Process Engineers and manufacturing engineers need a combination of technical skill, analytical thinking and hands-on experience with production equipment. Their work spans both high-level process design and detailed, on-the-line troubleshooting.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of SMT, soldering, reflow profiling and PCB assembly
• Experience with SPC, process windows and capability studies
• Ability to analyse manufacturing data using Excel, Minitab or Python
• Understanding of PFMEA, control plans and risk management
• Confidence interpreting drawings, schematics and documentation
• Familiarity with electronics manufacturing equipment and automation
• Experience with root-cause methodologies (8D, RCA, DMAIC)

Soft Skills

• Analytical, structured problem-solving
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks
• Curiosity and continuous improvement mindset

Where Do Process Engineers Work?

Process Engineers are essential to any organisation that builds electronic products. Electronics production spans many industries, from aerospace to consumer devices, and process and manufacturing engineering roles look different depending on the environment.

Industries hiring Process Engineers include:

• Defence and aerospace electronics
• Automotive and electric vehicle systems
• Medical devices and life science equipment
• Industrial automation and robotics
• Hybrid and PCB manufacturing
• Telecommunications and instrumentation
• Computing and Consumer 

Find your next Process Engineering job

Process Engineers are the backbone of modern electronics manufacturing, driving efficiency, reliability and uncompromising quality. At Redline Group, we change lives every day, building world-class teams. With over 40 years of expertise, we’ve supported recruitment across defence, aerospace, automotive, medical, industrial and semiconductor sectors.

Whether you’re exploring early-career process engineer jobs or looking to step into senior or specialist roles, our consultants can help you find opportunities that match your expertise and ambitions. Explore our Process Engineer jobs today.