Director of Engineering
Position Summary
The Director of Engineering oversees all process/manufacturing engineering functions within a high-mix, high-reliability PCBA manufacturing environment producing Class 3 aerospace and mission-critical assemblies. This role leads PCBA manufacturing engineering, process engineering, NPI, DFM/DFX, sustaining engineering, and automation/continuous improvement initiatives. The Director ensures that all engineering processes comply with IPC, J-STD, AS9100, and aerospace customer addendums while optimizing manufacturability, quality, cost, and throughput.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team (SMT Process, Manufacturing, New Product Introduction, and Automation).
- Drive engineering strategy aligned with company objectives for quality, cost, yield, and delivery.
- Serve as the technical authority for IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3, IPC-A-610 Class 3, IPC-7711/7721, and aerospace process controls.
Manufacturing / Process Engineering
- Own company-wide engineering initiatives across all PCBA manufacturing functional areas, including build readiness reviews and standardization efforts.
- Ensure process qualification and documentation aligns with J-STD-001 Space & Military Addendum and applicable aerospace customer requirements.
- Establish and maintain process windows, control plans, PFMEAs, and validation reports.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
- Lead DFM/DFX reviews, tooling design, stencil strategy, and prototype builds.
- Oversee creation of travelers, BOM validation, build instructions, and work instructions in compliance with AS9100.
- Manage engineering change control (ECOs), configuration management, and revision control.
Automation & Continuous Improvement
- Lead LEAN/CI programs focused on waste reduction, defect elimination, and throughput improvement.
- Collaborate closely with Quality Engineering to address defects, root cause investigations, and MRB activities.
- Implement process monitoring, SPC, and industry 4.0 tools.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Production, Quality, Program Management, Supply Chain, and SMT departments.
- Provide engineering support during customer audits, FAIs, PFMEAs, and technical reviews.
- Partner with external suppliers on polymerics, tooling, fixtures, materials, and new process technologies.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
- 10-15+ years in PCBA manufacturing engineering with at least 10+ years in a leadership role.
- Deep knowledge of:
- IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3 & Space/Military Addendums
- IPC-A-610 Class 3
- AS9100D
- IPC-7351, 7711/7721, 2221
- Experience with aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-reliability electronics.
- Strong background in SMT (printing, placement, reflow), AOI/AXI, DFM/DFX, Rework, Chemical Wash, Polymerics, and test strategies.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and technical decision-making abilities.
Pay Range
$150,000—$200,000 USD
ITAR/EAR Compliance: Due to the nature of the work performed at Rocket EMS, this position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology. The successful candidate must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. export-control laws or be eligible for any required government authorization.
Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.
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