Engineering Manager

Rocket EMS; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Rocket EMS is seeking an Engineering Manager in Carson City, NV, to lead the Process Engineering function for Class 3 aerospace manufacturing. This position entails overseeing documentation, validation, and continuous improvement in strict compliance with industry standards.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or extensive experience in high-reliability EMS manufacturing and a proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in high-reliability EMS manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in process engineering for Class 3 aerospace.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of SMT, thru-hole, AOI/AXI, and selective solder.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the Process Engineering team.
• Establish and track performance against KPIs.
• Review and approve manufacturing documentation for compliance.
• Define work instructions to minimize variation.

Skills

IPC Class 3 standards

Process validation

DFM/DFT principles

Process documentation

SMT and thru-hole knowledge

Analytical skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or 10+ years in high-reliability EMS manufacturing

Tools

Manufacturing documentation systems

Data-driven process analysis tools

Job description

The Engineering Manager is responsible for leading the Process Engineering function in support of Class 3, high-reliability aerospace and mission-critical PCBA manufacturing across all Rocket EMS facilities. This role ensures that manufacturing processes meet the most stringent industry requirements for quality, repeatability, traceability, and regulatory compliance.

The Engineering Manager owns process integrity from NPI through sustained production, 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.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Technical Oversight

• Lead, manage, and mentor the Process Engineering team supporting Class 3 aerospace and high-reliability PCBA builds.
• Establish and track performance against KPIs tied to yield, defect reduction, process capability, and certification compliance.
• Enforce accountability and manage corrective or disciplinary actions in accordance with company policies.
• Facilitate structured cross‑functional collaboration between Engineering, Quality, Production, and Program teams to resolve technical and process issues.

Aerospace Manufacturing Process Development

• Review and approve all manufacturing documentation to ensure compliance with IPC Class 3, customer specifications, and aerospace quality requirements.
• Ensure MPI packages, tooling, fixtures, machine programs, and inspection criteria are complete, validated, and controlled prior to release.
• Maintain strict revision control for all manufacturing documentation, certifications, tooling qualifications, and machine programs.
• Develop, validate, and certify manufacturing processes from initial concept through first article, qualification, and sustained production.
• Ensure processes support full traceability, lot control, and defect containment as required for aerospace customers.
• Define robust work instructions and process flows that minimize variation and maximize repeatability in high‑mix, low‑volume environments.
• Provide direct engineering support to production teams for SMT, thru‑hole, selective solder, AOI, AXI, rework, conformal coating, and final inspection processes.
• Establish and maintain accurate route times, standard labor models, and lead times aligned with aerospace scheduling commitments.
• Support capacity planning to ensure staffing, equipment, and certifications meet current and future program requirements.
• Lead root‑cause analysis and corrective action activities using production data, quality metrics, and customer feedback.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives on repeat aerospace builds, implementing controlled process or documentation revisions when required.
• Partner with Quality on NPI risk assessments, PFMEAs, control plans, and DFM/DFT reviews to ensure defect prevention at launch.
• Balance cost, schedule, and quality while never compromising Class 3 compliance or customer requirements.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or 10+ years of progressive experience in high‑reliability EMS manufacturing.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in process engineering for Class 3 aerospace, defense, or mission‑critical electronics.
• Strong hands‑on knowledge of SMT, thru‑hole, AOI/AXI, selective solder, rework, and inspection in regulated environments.

Skills & Qualifications

• Deep understanding of IPC Class 3 standards and aerospace customer quality requirements.
• Proven ability to implement and enforce process validation, certification, and revision control disciplines.
• Strong command of DFM/DFT principles, PFMEA, control plans, and risk‑based decision‑making.
• Experience with manufacturing documentation systems, MES, and data‑driven process analysis tools.
• Familiarity with ESD controls, safety regulations, and high‑reliability workmanship standards.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication skills with the ability to lead across multiple facilities and teams.

Pay Range

$120,000 - $150,000 USD

Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.