Production Lead

Winchester Interconnect; Garden Grove (CA); On-site; USD 37,195 - 46,838; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Referral bonus

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

Winchester Interconnect on-site in Garden Grove seeks a Production Lead to supervise a team of assemblers on the manufacturing floor. You will coordinate daily workflow, assign tasks by skill, and act as the frontline technical expert for the team.

The role blends leadership with hands-on technical work, including on-the-job training, adherence to AS9100 quality standards, and ITAR compliance, reporting to the Production Manager. The position requires strong organizational and mentorship skills.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years in complex cable harness assembly in aerospace/defense/high-reliability environments.
• 1-2+ years in a leadership role with mentorship experience.
• J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of assemblers, focusing on safety, quality, and accountability.
• Partner with the Production Supervisor to execute daily production plans and on-time delivery goals.
• Assign and coordinate daily workflow based on schedule and skill sets.
• Serve as frontline technical expert for drawings, procedures, and techniques.
• Mentor, train, and certify assemblers on new processes and workmanship standards.
• Ensure compliance with AS9100 quality standards and ITAR regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Reading blueprints

Communication

Problem solving

5S / FOD

Team training

Lean/kaizen

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Syspro

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

At Winchester Interconnect, we always do the right thing, the right way. Winchester Interconnect is committed to inspiring the most innovative teams. We foster a dynamic, inclusive environment that thrives on collaboration and continuous growth. We hire exceptional people, celebrate wins, empower employee growth, and provide opportunities to thrive. Winchester is where potential transforms into purpose, and every team member plays a vital role in shaping our shared success.

Position Summary

As our Production Lead, you will be a "hands-on" leader on the manufacturing floor, responsible for guiding a team of assemblers to meet critical production schedules. Your primary role is to coordinate the daily workflow, assign tasks based on skill, and serve as the frontline technical expert for your team.

This role is a blend of leadership, mentorship, and technical expertise. You will be responsible for on-the-job training, ensuring your team adheres to our 'zero-defect' AS9100 quality standards, and driving our "GSD" (Get Stuff Done) culture. You will be the key liaison between the assemblers, the Production Supervisor, Quality Control, and Engineering.

This position reports to the Production Manager.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent AS degree is a plus.
• Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident) due to ITAR regulations.
• 5-7+ years of progressive experience in complex cable harness assembly within an aerospace, defense, or high-reliability (e.g., medical) environment.
• 1-2+ years of proven experience in a leadership role (e.g., Senior Assembler, trainer, or cell lead) with demonstrated mentorship skills.
• J-STD-001 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 certifications are required.
• Expert-level ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, schematics, and work instructions.
• Expert-level skills in all core assembly processes: soldering, crimping, wire termination, harness building, and (preferably) potting/molding.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to train and motivate team members.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., Syspro) and Microsoft Office/Google Workspace.

Our core values - Accountability, Collaboration, and Empowerment (ACE) - are the foundation of how we operate and drive success. You will take ownership of your contributions, collaborate with a team that gets stuff done, and be empowered to innovate and pursue bold initiatives that drive our business forward.

Are You Our Next ACE?

• Lead a team of assemblers, fostering a culture of safety, quality, and accountability.
• Partner with the Production Supervisor to create and execute the daily production plan, ensuring on-time delivery goals are met.
• Assign and coordinate the daily workflow for your team, prioritizing tasks based on the production schedule and employee skill sets.
• Serve as the frontline technical expert and problem-solver for assemblers, answering questions on drawings, procedures, and techniques.
• Mentor, train, and certify assemblers on new processes and workmanship standards, and support the cross-training of all team members.
• Ensure and enforce real-time compliance with all company policies, safety procedures, AS9100 quality standards, and ITAR regulations.
• Champion and enforce Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention and 5S (cleanliness) standards in your work area.
• Act as the primary liaison between your team and other departments, communicating and resolving issues with Quality, Engineering, and Materials.
• Lead daily team huddles (stand-up meetings) to review goals, safety, and quality, and to identify and elevate any roadblocks to the Supervisor.
• Drive continuous improvement (Lean) by identifying and helping implement process enhancements to improve efficiency and reduce waste.
• May perform complex, start-to-finish assembly on NPI or critical "hot" jobs as needed.
• Comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Systems You’ll Use

• Google Workspace
• ADP / Syspro / QMS

Pay Transparency

Winchester Interconnect Corporation is committed to pay transparency. The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $34.00 per hour. Exact salary will be contingent upon your experience, education, skills, and any other factors Winchester Interconnect Corporation considers relevant to the hiring decision. This position is eligible for a $2.00 per hour shift differential for working on the 2nd shift. The company also offers a competitive variety of benefits, including a referral bonus and a sign-on bonus.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities. In addition to federal law requirements, Winchester Interconnect complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Winchester Interconnect expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

• Candidates Only-No 3rd Parties***