Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer - Spaceflight Hardware

ACTalent; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity ownership

Comprehensive health benefits

401(k) plan with company match

Flexible PTO and parental leave

On-site weekly lunch stipend & snacks

Job summary

Actalent in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer to build and lead a high-performance team responsible for end-to-end manufacturing of high-reliability avionics hardware, including wire harness, PCBA, and electromechanical assembly for flight and space applications.

You will define build standards, drive manufacturable designs, and develop robust processes to scale production while collaborating with design, quality, and supply chain teams to meet program milestones.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading manufacturing engineering teams in a production environment.
• Hands-on avionics hardware manufacturing experience for space applications.
• Strong background in manufacturing engineering and process improvement for high‑reliability electronics.
• Expertise in Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFX) and providing design feedback.
• Experience with IPC workmanship standards such as J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620 with space addenda.
• Experience with new product introduction, production ramp, and capacity planning in flight hardware production.
• Proficiency with MES and PLM systems and production data platforms.
• Experience with nonconformance management, MRB, corrective action, or change management.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a team of avionics manufacturing engineers and set technical direction.
• Own full lifecycle of avionics manufacturing from process development to sustainment.
• Provide DFM/DFX feedback and influence designs for high-rate, reliable production.
• Establish standards for process development, validation, work instructions, and documentation.
• Oversee production readiness, capacity planning, and scheduling for avionics hardware.
• Investigate and drive corrective actions through MRB and nonconformance processes.
• Use MES/PLM to manage mBOMs, track performance, and ensure configuration control.
• Drive continuous improvements to manufacturability, throughput, quality, and reliability.
• Ensure IPC standards compliance including space addenda; collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Team leadership

Avionics hardware

Wire harnessing

PCBA production

DFM/DFX

IPC standards

MES

PLM

MRB / nonconformance

Capacity planning

Flight hardware production

Tools

MES

PLM

mBOM management

Job description

Actalent in Hawthorne, CA is seeking a Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer to build and lead a high-performance team responsible for end-to-end manufacturing of high-reliability avionics hardware, including wire harness, PCBA, and electromechanical assembly for flight and space applications.

You will define build standards, drive manufacturable designs, and develop robust processes to scale production while collaborating with design, quality, and supply chain teams to meet program milestones.