Director of Engineering - PCBA Manufacturing

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

Job summary

Rocket EMS in Carson City, NV seeks a Director of Engineering to oversee PCBA manufacturing engineering, NPI, DFM/DFX, and automation initiatives for high-mix, high-reliability aerospace assemblies.

The role ensures compliance with IPC, J-STD, AS9100 and aerospace customer addenda while driving improvements in manufacturability, quality, cost and throughput across all engineering functions.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years in PCBA manufacturing engineering with at least 10+ years in a leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• Experience with aerospace/high-reliability electronics and process controls (IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3, IPC-A-610 Class 3, AS9100).

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team (SMT Process, Manufacturing, New Product Introduction, and Automation).
• Drive engineering strategy aligned with quality, cost, yield, and delivery metrics.
• Serve as technical authority for aerospace process controls and related standards (IPC/J-STD-001 Class 3; AS9100).
• Own company-wide engineering initiatives across PCBA manufacturing, including build readiness reviews and standardization.
• Collaborate with Quality Engineering on defects, root cause investigations, MRB activities, and supplier interactions.
• Lead LEAN/CI programs focused on waste reduction, defect elimination, and throughput improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Team development

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3

IPC-A-610 Class 3

AS9100

DFM/DFX

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 Responsibilitie

sLeadership & Strateg

• yLead 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 Engineerin

• gOwn 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
• tLead 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 Collaboratio

• nWork 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

.Qualificatio

• nsBachelor’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 rol
• e.Deep knowledge o
• f:IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3 & Space/Military Addendu
• msIPC-A-610 Class
• 3AS910
• 0DIPC-7351, 7711/7721, 22
• 21Experience with aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-reliability electronic
• s.Strong background in SMT (printing, placement, reflow), AOI/AXI, DFM/DFX, Rework, Chemical Wash, Polymerics, and test strategie
• s.Excellent leadership, communication, and technical decision-making abilitie