Production Lead - Frederick, MD

Rohde & Schwarz; Maryland; On-site; USD 44,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Rohde & Schwarz Frederick is seeking a Production / Kitting Area Lead to manage the rack prep, packing and final inspection for VCS hardware. You will lead technicians, coordinate daily workflows, ensure accurate labeling and wiring, and enforce QA protocols to meet government and NGO project needs.

The role requires LEAN expertise, strong scheduling skills, and the ability to operate in a warehouse or data-center environment. This is a full-time on-site position in Frederick, MD, with U.S.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2+ years in a leadership role.
• Understanding of VCS hardware preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical blueprints, rack diagrams, and Bills of Material.
• Familiarity with maintaining schedules.
• Detail oriented.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and relevant computer-based systems.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Comfort working in a warehouse or data center environment.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to obtain security clearance/public trust.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of technicians.
• Coordinate daily workflows to meet production deadlines.
• Provide support to staff.
• Ensure all items are labeled and sub-assemblies are built per wiring schematics.
• Enforce a QA checklist for final inspection to eliminate errors.
• Coordinate with warehouse to ensure components are available for scheduled builds.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Production Supervisor on throughput and bottlenecks.
• Utilize LEAN practices to support continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

LEAN practices

Blueprint reading

Schedule management

Detail oriented

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MS Office Suite

ERP/Computer systems

Job description

Recently named by Newsweek as one of the Best American Mid-Sized Workplaces in 2026, Rohde & Schwarz Frederick is seeking a Production / Kitting Area Lead to lead the work center dedicated to rack preparation, packing and final inspection for our custom Voice Communication Systems (VCS). Reporting to the production supervisor, the successful candidate will manage the execution of existing prepping, packing and final inspection processes for governmental and non-governmental projects. This role bridges the gap between preparation and physical release of the final product. The Lead ensures that all hardware, including switches, controllers, and power distribution units, are delivered to production and processed according to our final inspection process prior to delivery on schedule, and within safety guidelines. A strong background in LEAN practices is essential, as this role will be pivotal in applying continuous improvement strategies to meet customer requirements. This fulltime position requires US citizenship and is based onsite in Frederick 5 days per week.

Your tasks

• Lead, support a team of technicians.
• Coordinate daily workflows to meet production deadlines.
• Provide support to staff.
• Ensure all items delivered to production are labeled and sub-assemblies are properly built per wiring schematics.
• Enforce a rigorous Quality Assurance (QA) checklist for final inspection eliminating errors or hardware misplacements.
• Coordinate with the warehouse to ensure all necessary components are available for scheduled builds.
• Provide regular progress reports to the Production Supervisor regarding throughput and bottleneck issues.
• Utilize LEAN practices to support continuous improvement throughout the process.

Your Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 2+ years in a leadership role
• Understanding of VCS hardware is highly preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret complex technical blueprints, rack diagrams, and Bills of Material.
• Familiarity with maintaining schedules.
• Detailed oriented
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, as well as computer-based systems and software applications relevant to daily job responsibilities.
• Ability to lift and carry hardware up to 50 lbs.
• Comfort working in a warehouse or data center environment (standing for long periods, bending, and reaching into equipment racks).
• An obsession with "clean" cabling and precise labeling.
• Ability to troubleshoot issues on the fly.
• Strong ability to translate technical requirements into actionable tasks for a production team.
• In order to be considered, candidates must reside in the US and be a U.S. citizen capable of receiving a US Government security clearance or public trust

The total compensation for this position is $32-$41 per hour. Total compensation includes base salary, variable pay (when applicable) plus benefits. The range is determined by the position, geographic location and level. Individual pay within the range is determined by several factors including location, education or training, relevant work history, sales incentive structure and job-related skills.

Rohde & Schwarz is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age or any other characteristic protected by law.

Rohde & Schwarz is a global technology company with approximately 14,000 employees and three divisions: Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity. For 90 years, the company has been developing cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible and enabling customers from various sectors such as business, government and public authorities to maintain their technological sovereignty.