Manufacturing Engineer – Electronics / Avionics

allocortech inc.; Waynesboro (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Allocortech, on-site in Crozet, VA, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to own and optimize manufacturing processes for high-reliability electronic assemblies, PCBA, SMT/through-hole, fine-pitch work, and harness fabrication.

You will bridge design and production, drive DFM and manufacturability, create clear instructions, improve yield, support NPI, and ensure IPC Class 3 compliance in a small-team setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of electronics manufacturing engineering experience in PCBA/SMT/high-reliability environments.
• Solid knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-A-620) and related practices.
• Ability to read complex schematics, assembly drawings, BOMs, and ECNs.
• Experience with root-cause analysis and continuous improvement processes.
• U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR) and ability to obtain security clearance.
• Strong communication and teamwork in fast-paced, hardware-focused settings.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document, and improve manufacturing processes for SMT, through-hole, fine-pitch, and harness fabrication.
• Collaborate with design engineering on DFM/DFT reviews and producibility feedback.
• Specify and sustain tooling, fixtures, and equipment for production.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis, non-conformance disposition, and corrective actions.
• Establish process controls, yields, first-pass success, and quality metrics; drive improvements.
• Ensure IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-A-620, IPC-7711/7721 compliance in manufacturing.

Skills

IPC standards knowledge

DFM/DFT collaboration

Root-cause analysis

Manufacturing engineering

Reading schematics & BOMs

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field

Tools

Rework stations

Soldering systems

ESD controls

Quality systems (AS9100/ISO)

Job description

About Allocortech

Allocortech designs and manufactures safety-critical power electronics, motor controllers, power distribution, flight control, and avionics systems for next-generation uncrewed aircraft (UAS/UAM/eVTOL), maritime platforms, and aerospace & defense applications. We are a small, agile team known for high-reliability, fault-tolerant hardware delivered on aggressive timelines. As we scale production, we are strengthening our manufacturing processes and systems while preserving the speed and quality that define us.

About Allocortech

Allocortech designs and manufactures safety-critical power electronics, motor controllers, power distribution, flight control, and avionics systems for next-generation uncrewed aircraft (UAS/UAM/eVTOL), maritime platforms, and aerospace & defense applications. We are a small, agile team known for high-reliability, fault-tolerant hardware delivered on aggressive timelines. As we scale production, we are strengthening our manufacturing processes and systems while preserving the speed and quality that define us.

The Role

The Manufacturing Engineer owns the development, documentation, optimization, and sustainment of manufacturing processes for high-reliability electronic assemblies, including PCBAs, SMT/through-hole soldering, fine-pitch and micro-component work, cable and harness fabrication, rework/repair, and electromechanical integration.

You will serve as the bridge between design engineering and the production floor - driving Design for Manufacturability (DFM), creating clear work instructions, improving yield and throughput, supporting new product introduction, and ensuring processes meet IPC Class 3 / high-reliability standards. This is a hands-on role in a small-team environment where deep practical knowledge of precision electronics assembly is highly valued.

What You'll Do

• Develop, document, and continuously improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, and standard operating procedures for SMT/SMD assembly, through-hole soldering, fine-pitch/micro-component work, cable/harness fabrication, rework, and final assembly.
• Partner with design engineering on DFM/DFT reviews, producibility feedback, and introduction of new or revised products into production.
• Specify, validate, and sustain tooling, fixtures, and equipment (reflow, hot-air/IR rework stations, microscopes, soldering systems, etc.).
• Lead or support root-cause analysis, non-conformance disposition, rework authorization, and corrective/preventive actions.
• Establish and monitor process controls, yields, first-pass success, and quality metrics; drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure processes align with IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-A-620, IPC-7711/7721, and related aerospace/defense workmanship standards.
• Train and support technicians; act as the primary engineering liaison on the floor for build issues, ECNs, and process questions.
• Collaborate with Quality, Supply Chain, Test, and Program teams to meet schedule, quality, and cost targets as production scales.

Required

We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent combination of education and extensive hands-on experience).
• 3+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing engineering, process engineering, or a closely related role involving PCBA/SMT assembly, high-reliability electronics, avionics, or aerospace/defense hardware. Strong technician backgrounds with demonstrated process ownership will be considered.
• Solid working knowledge of IPC standards (IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC-A-620, and preferably IPC-7711/7721). Hands-on familiarity with fine-pitch/micro-SMD soldering, rework techniques, ESD controls, and inspection under magnification is highly preferred.
• Ability to read complex schematics, assembly drawings, BOMs, and ECNs and translate them into clear, executable manufacturing processes.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, process troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• U.S. Citizenship required (ITAR environment); ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance if needed.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working in a fast-paced, small-team setting close to the hardware.

Preferred

• Direct experience in aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability electronics (avionics, power electronics, motor controllers, flight-critical hardware).
• IPC CIS certifications (J-STD-001, IPC-A-610/620, etc.).
• Experience with NPI, process qualification, tooling design, or scaling from prototype/low-volume to higher-rate production.
• Familiarity with ERP/MES systems, documentation control, statistical process control, or AS9100/ISO quality systems.
• Background that combines hands-on assembly/rework expertise with process- and systems-level thinking.

Location

On-site in Crozet, VA.