Manufacturing Engineering Manager at Rocket EMS

<p><strong>Engineering Manager</strong></p> <p><strong>Rocket EMS</strong></p> <p><strong>About the Role</strong></p> <p>The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Process Engineering function in support of <strong>Class 3, high-reliability aerospace and mission-critical PCBA manufacturing</strong> across all Rocket EMS facilities. This role ensures that manufacturing processes meet the most stringent industry requirements for quality, repeatability, traceability, and regulatory compliance.</p> <p>The Engineering Manager owns process integrity from <strong>NPI through sustained production</strong>, overseeing documentation, validation, certification, capacity planning, and continuous improvement. Working closely with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and approved offsite partners, this role drives operational excellence through disciplined revision control, data-driven decision-making, and proactive risk management consistent with aerospace and defense expectations.</p> <p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong></p> <p><strong>Leadership &amp; Technical Oversight</strong></p> <ul> <li>Lead, manage, and mentor the Process Engineering team supporting <strong>Class 3 aerospace and high-reliability PCBA builds</strong>.</li> <li>Establish and track performance against KPIs tied to yield, defect reduction, process capability, and certification compliance.</li> <li>Enforce accountability and manage corrective or disciplinary actions in accordance with company policies.</li> <li>Facilitate structured cross-functional collaboration between Engineering, Quality, Production, and Program teams to resolve technical and process issues.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Aerospace Manufacturing Process Development</strong></p> <ul> <li>Review and approve all manufacturing documentation to ensure compliance with <strong>IPC Class 3</strong>, customer specifications, and aerospace quality requirements.</li> <li>Ensure <strong>MPI packages, tooling, fixtures, machine programs, and inspection criteria</strong> are complete, validated, and controlled prior to release.</li> <li>Maintain strict revision control for all manufacturing documentation, certifications, tooling qualifications, and machine programs.</li> <li>Develop, validate, and certify manufacturing processes from initial concept through <strong>first article, qualification, and sustained production</strong>.</li> <li>Ensure processes support full <strong>traceability, lot control, and defect containment</strong> as required for aerospace customers.</li> <li>Define robust work instructions and process flows that minimize variation and maximize repeatability in high-mix, low-volume environments.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Production Support &amp; Continuous Improvement</strong></p> <ul> <li>Provide direct engineering support to production teams for <strong>SMT, thru-hole, selective solder, AOI, AXI, rework, conformal coating, and final inspection</strong> processes.</li> <li>Establish and maintain accurate route times, standard labor models, and lead times aligned with aerospace scheduling commitments.</li> <li>Support capacity planning to ensure staffing, equipment, and certifications meet current and future program requirements.</li> <li>Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action activities using production data, quality metrics, and customer feedback.</li> <li>Drive continuous improvement initiatives on repeat aerospace builds, implementing controlled process or documentation revisions when required.</li> <li>Partner with Quality on <strong>NPI risk assessments, PFMEAs, control plans, and DFM/DFT reviews</strong> to ensure defect prevention at launch.</li> <li>Balance cost, schedule, and quality while never compromising Class 3 compliance or customer requirements.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Education &amp; Experience</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bachelor’s degree in Engineering <strong>or</strong> 10+ years of progressive experience in <strong>high-reliability EMS manufacturing</strong>.</li> <li>Demonstrated leadership experience in process engineering for <strong>Class 3 aerospace, defense, or mission-critical electronics</strong>.</li> <li>Strong hands-on knowledge of <strong>SMT, thru-hole, AOI/AXI, selective solder, rework, and inspection</strong> in regulated environments.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Skills &amp; Qualifications</strong></p> <ul> <li>Deep understanding of <strong>IPC Class 3 standards</strong> and aerospace customer quality requirements.</li> <li>Proven ability to implement and enforce <strong>process validation, certification, and revision control</strong> disciplines.</li> <li>Strong command of <strong>DFM/DFT principles, PFMEA, control plans, and risk-based decision-making</strong>.</li> <li>Experience with manufacturing documentation systems, MES, and data-driven process analysis tools.</li> <li>Familiarity with ESD controls, safety regulations, and high-reliability workmanship standards.</li> <li>Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to lead across multiple facilities and teams.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$120,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$150,000 USD</span></div></div></div>