Manager, Printed Circuit Board

About the role

SpaceX is expanding its operations at the Bastrop, Texas facility to enhance the production capabilities for the Starlink satellite constellation. In this role, you will be responsible for leading a substantial production team focused on the high-volume manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Your leadership will guide the transition from an initial startup phase to a structured, high-output manufacturing environment, ensuring efficiency and quality throughout the process.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead and manage a diverse team of supervisors, technicians, and production associates across multiple shifts, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Uphold and prioritize workplace safety, implementing rigorous safety standards to protect all team members.
• Oversee the recruitment process, onboarding, and ongoing professional development initiatives for team members to foster a skilled workforce.
• Develop and implement comprehensive training programs aimed at enhancing product quality while minimizing production costs and lead times.
• Establish clear operational benchmarks and ensure that team members are held accountable for meeting performance standards.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams to introduce and optimize PCB manufacturing equipment and workflows, ensuring they meet production needs.
• Track and analyze production metrics, including yield, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness, to identify areas for improvement.
• Conduct thorough investigations into quality failures to identify root causes and implement effective corrective measures.
• Provide regular updates on production status and potential risks to senior leadership while facilitating coordination across various departments.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback and innovative ideas from team members.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in an engineering or STEM-related field, or a minimum of 4 years of relevant leadership experience in a manufacturing setting.
• At least 3 years of experience in production operations or process development, demonstrating a solid understanding of manufacturing processes.
• A minimum of 2 years in a leadership capacity, showcasing your ability to manage teams effectively.
• Must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee to comply with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
• Willingness to work extended hours and weekends as necessary to meet production demands.
• Physical capability to lift up to 25 lbs without assistance.

Nice to have

• A bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical discipline, enhancing your qualifications for this role.
• Experience in establishing and managing a multidisciplinary production organization, demonstrating your ability to lead diverse teams.
• Proven track record of managing production teams of 50 or more individuals effectively.
• Experience in launching new production lines and achieving full-rate manufacturing, showcasing your capability in scaling operations.
• Familiarity with PCB manufacturing processes, including chemical etching, copper electroplating, lamination, layup, solder mask application, mechanical or laser drilling, and electrical testing.
• Background in related fields such as silicon packaging, wafer fabrication, battery production, or chemical manufacturing.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles and methodologies, contributing to efficiency improvements.
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.

Skills & tools

• Expertise in production operations management, ensuring efficient workflow and output.
• Proficiency in lean manufacturing techniques to optimize processes and reduce waste.
• Strong skills in personnel development, fostering a culture of growth and learning within the team.
• Competence in quality control and root cause analysis to maintain high standards of production.
• Effective cross-functional leadership skills, enabling collaboration across various teams and departments.

Practical notes

• The role may require travel of up to 10 percent, depending on operational needs.
• SpaceX is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer, promoting diversity and inclusion within the workplace.
• Applicants who require reasonable accommodations or would like to obtain copies of the Affirmative Action Plan should reach out to EEOCompliance@spacex.com for assistance.

About the company

Based in Starbase, Texas, a company pursues work in spaceflight, telecom, and artificial intelligence. A unit handles rocket launches, leading yearly orbital counts beyond other national and commercial teams. Another unit runs Starlink, a satellite communications firm. A third area, through SpaceXAI, advances Grok and AI integration with X, while managing data center operations. Roles often cross these paths. Candidates with engineering, software, or operations backgrounds may find chances to join projects that span launch, connectivity, and machine learning efforts in this Texas-based enterprise.