Director of Engineering - PCBA

Rocket EMS; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket EMS, Inc. is seeking a Director of Engineering to oversee all process and manufacturing engineering in a high-mix, high-reliability PCBA environment producing Class 3 aerospace assemblies.

You will lead engineering, NPI, DFM/DFX, sustaining, and automation/continuous improvement programs to optimize manufacturability, quality, cost, and throughput. You will ensure compliance with IPC, J-STD, AS9100, and aerospace customer addendums while mentoring a multidisciplinary team and driving

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in PCBA manufacturing engineering with leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge of IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3 & Space/Military Addendums, IPC-A-610 Class 3, AS9100D, IPC-7351, 7711/7721, 2221.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team across SMT Process, Manufacturing, NPI, and Automation.
• Drive engineering strategy for quality, cost, yield, and delivery.
• Provide technical authority for IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3, IPC-A-610 Class 3, IPC-7711/7721, and aerospace process controls.

Skills

Leadership

SMT Process

Process Improvement

NPI

DFX

Lean/CI

Aerospace Standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Tools

IPC Standards

AS9100

J-STD

Job description

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

• 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.
• 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.