Engineering Manager

About the role

The is entrusted with leading the Process Engineering function to ensure flawless execution across Class 3, high-reliability aerospace and mission-critical PCBA manufacturing. This role owns the complete lifecycle of manufacturing processes, from initial concept and NPI through qualification and sustained production, guaranteeing that every output meets the most rigorous industry standards. The hire will serve as the primary process owner, driving operational excellence while maintaining strict adherence to quality, repeatability, traceability, and regulatory compliance. They will exercise full responsibility for process integrity, documentation control, and validation activities in alignment with aerospace and defense expectations. Collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders will be central, as they work to resolve technical challenges and uphold the highest levels of manufacturing discipline. This position requires a proactive leader capable of balancing technical depth with strategic oversight to protect customer requirements and program success. Through data-driven decisions and structured risk management, the Engineering Manager will continuously refine processes to enhance capability and reliability across all Rocket EMS facilities.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Provide technical leadership and day-to-day management for the Process Engineering team supporting Class 3 aerospace and high-reliability PCBA manufacturing.
• Establish, monitor, and optimize key performance indicators related to yield, defect reduction, process capability, and certification compliance.
• Enforce accountability within the process engineering organization and manage corrective or disciplinary actions in accordance with company policies.
• Facilitate structured cross-functional collaboration among Engineering, Quality, Production, and Program teams to resolve complex technical and process issues.
• Review and approve all manufacturing documentation to confirm strict compliance with IPC Class 3 requirements, customer specifications, and aerospace quality standards.
• Ensure that MPI packages, tooling, fixtures, machine programs, and inspection criteria are complete, validated, and properly controlled before release.
• Maintain rigorous revision control for all manufacturing documentation, certifications, tooling qualifications, and machine programs throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop, validate, and certify manufacturing processes from initial concept through first article, qualification, and sustained production phases.
• Guarantee full traceability, lot control, and defect containment in accordance with aerospace customer mandates and regulatory expectations.
• Define clear work instructions and optimized process flows that minimize variation and maximize repeatability in high-mix, low-volume production environments.
• Offer direct engineering support to production teams for SMT, thru-hole, selective solder, AOI, AXI, rework, conformal coating, and final inspection activities.
• Establish and maintain accurate route times, standard labor models, and lead times that align with aerospace scheduling commitments and delivery obligations.
• Support capacity planning initiatives to confirm that staffing, equipment, and certifications meet current and future program requirements without compromise.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action activities by leveraging production data, quality metrics, and customer feedback to drive sustainable solutions.
• Champion continuous improvement efforts on repeat aerospace builds, implementing controlled process or documentation revisions only when necessary and fully validated.
• Partner closely with Quality on NPI risk assessments, PFMEAs, control plans, and DFM/DFT reviews to embed defect prevention at the earliest stages.
• Preserve cost, schedule, and quality equilibrium while never compromising Class 3 compliance, traceability, or explicit customer requirements.

Requirements

• Hold a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or possess 10+ years of progressive experience in high-reliability EMS manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrate documented leadership experience in process engineering specifically for Class 3 aerospace, defense, or mission-critical electronics applications.
• Exhibit strong hands-on knowledge of SMT, thru-hole, AOI/AXI, selective solder, rework, and inspection processes within regulated manufacturing settings.
• Show proven ability to manage and control manufacturing documentation, revisions, and certifications in compliance with aerospace quality systems.
• Display thorough understanding of IPC Class 3 requirements, inspection criteria, and aerospace-specific quality expectations.
• Demonstrate experience with MPI package development, tooling validation, and fixture qualification in a controlled manufacturing environment.
• Show capability to lead root-cause analysis and corrective action efforts using structured methodologies and data insights.
• Illustrate commitment to lot control, traceability, and defect containment practices essential for mission-critical electronics manufacturing.

Nice to have

• Preferred candidates will have experience supporting NPI risk assessments, PFMEAs, and control plans in aerospace environments.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFT review processes and their application in high-reliability electronics manufacturing is advantageous.

Practical notes

• This is a full-time position based in Carson City, NV.
• Travel requirements, visa sponsorship details, and application deadlines were not specified in the provided source material.