Manufacturing Engineering Manager – Space Hardware | Electronics / Production

USA Tech Recruit; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

USA Tech Recruit is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager for PCBA in space hardware. You will lead development through production, establishing robust processes and building production infrastructure.

The role focuses on scaling internal PCBA production, ensuring quality, reliability, and traceability for mission-critical hardware, while leading a high-performing engineering team. You will own production layout, equipment, tooling, and capacity planning, delivering high-rate production

Qualifications

• 5-10+ years experience in manufacturing engineering or electronics manufacturing.
• Proven track record taking electronic products from development into production and scaling operations.
• Experience leading manufacturing/production engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, inspection and test.
• Experience applying Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) and Design-for-Assembly (DFA) principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of manufacturing engineers, specialists, and technicians for PCBA assembly and test across development and flight hardware.
• Develop and execute production strategy for establishing and scaling internal PCBA manufacturing capabilities.
• Own transition of PCBA products from development to repeatable, high-rate production.
• Define manufacturing processes, equipment requirements, tooling, fixtures, test systems, and supporting infrastructure.
• Select and implement production equipment and process technologies for complex, high-reliability assemblies.
• Establish production capacity plans aligned with aggressive factory rate and delivery requirements.
• Own physical production layout and factory flow from receiving through assembly, inspection, test to finished product.

Skills

PCBA production

DFM/DFA

Team leadership

Production planning

Process optimization

Job description

Manufacturing Engineering Manager (PCBA) – Space Hardware | Manufacturing Engineering / Electronics / Production

We are currently partnered with a fast-growing space technology company developing and manufacturing advanced satellite hardware. As the company scales its production capabilities, they are looking to hire a Manufacturing Engineering Manager (PCBA) to lead the development, implementation, and scale-up of internal printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) production capabilities.

This is a senior, hands-on manufacturing engineering leadership role focused on taking PCBA products from development through production, establishing robust manufacturing processes, building production infrastructure, and leading a high-performing technical team.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in scaling production capacity while maintaining the quality, reliability, and traceability standards required for mission‑critical space hardware.

Key responsibilities

• Lead a team of manufacturing engineers, specialists, and technicians responsible for PCBA assembly and test operations across development and flight hardware
• Develop and execute a comprehensive production strategy for establishing and scaling internal PCBA manufacturing capabilities
• Own the transition of PCBA products from development and prototyping into repeatable, high‑rate production
• Define manufacturing processes, equipment requirements, tooling, fixtures, test systems, and supporting infrastructure
• Select and implement production equipment and process technologies appropriate for complex, high‑reliability electronic assemblies
• Establish production capacity plans aligned with aggressive factory rate and delivery requirements
• Own physical production layout and factory flow, optimising movement of materials from receiving through assembly, inspection, test, and finished product

Key requirements

• 5-10+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, electronics manufacturing, PCBA production, or a closely related field
• Strong experience taking electronic products from development into production and scaling manufacturing operations
• Proven experience with PCBA assembly and manufacturing processes
• Experience leading manufacturing engineering or production engineering teams
• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes, equipment, tooling, inspection, and test
• Experience developing and implementing production processes for complex hardware
• Demonstrated understanding of Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) and Design-for-Assembly (DFA) principles

Keywords

Manufacturing Engineering Manager / Manufacturing Engineering / PCBA / PCB Assembly / Electronics Manufacturing / Electronics Engineering / Production Engineering / Hardware Manufacturing / Space Hardware / Satellite Hardware / Aerospace / Defence / High‑Reliability Electronics / SMT / Surface Mount Technology / Through‑Hole / PCB / PCBA Assembly / DFM / DFA / Design for Manufacturing / Design for Assembly / New Product Introduction / NPI / Production Ramp / Production Scaling / High‑Rate Production / Factory Operations / Factory Layout / Capacity Planning / Manufacturing Processes / Production Strategy / Process Engineering / Process Improvement / Continuous Improvement / Lean Manufacturing

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