Through-Hole Lead

Rocket EMS; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 50,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision, and life ins.

Paid time off and holidays

Opportunities for advancement

Job summary

Rocket EMS is seeking a Through-Hole Lead to head the through-hole assembly team, coordinating daily tasks, aligning with production schedules, and ensuring IPC-A-610 Class 2 and 3 workmanship standards are met.

You will train operators, troubleshoot assembly and soldering issues, and collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and production leadership to maintain quality and efficient workflow in a fast-paced electronics environment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in through-hole assembly and soldering in electronics production.
• Previous experience as a production lead, trainer, or senior operator preferred.
• IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification preferred.
• Strong soldering and defect troubleshooting skills for leaded and lead-free assemblies.
• Ability to read and interpret MPIs, assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, and customer requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily through-hole production activities based on priorities and resources.
• Review MPIs, drawings, ECOs, BOMs, and customer requirements; ensure current build docs.
• Lead component prep, hand insertion, hand soldering, wave soldering, and selective soldering operations.
• Verify component identification, polarity, orientation, and workmanship.
• Coordinate first-article verification and approvals before production proceeds.
• Monitor WIP, output, and schedule; flag shortages, problems, and delays to Supervisor.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for assembly defects; escalate to Engineering/Quality as needed.
• Perform and support rework and solder touch-up per procedures.
• Train and coach operators on methods, equipment and workmanship standards.
• Ensure production records, traceability, first-article docs and in-process inspection forms are complete.
• Deliver clear shift pass-downs on status and priorities.
• Uphold safety, ESD, MSD handling, housekeeping and 5S.
• Work with Engineering/Quality to identify defect trends and improve processes.
• Support other areas as directed by Supervisor/Engineer/Manager.

Skills

Soldering

Defect troubleshooting

Reading schematics

BOM interpretation

IPC-A-610 knowledge

English communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Hand soldering

Wave soldering

Selective soldering

Production tracking systems

Job description

As a Through-Hole Lead at Rocket EMS, you will provide hands-on leadership to the through-hole assembly team, coordinating daily work assignments, supporting production schedules, and ensuring assemblies meet IPC-A-610 Class 2 and 3 workmanship standards. You’ll train operators, troubleshoot assembly and soldering issues, and work closely with engineering, quality, and production leadership to maintain consistent quality and efficient workflow. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to guide a team in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily through-hole production activities, assigning work based on production priorities, employee qualifications, and available resources.
• Review MPIs, assembly drawings, ECOs, BOMs, and customer requirements; ensure operators use current, approved build documentation.
• Lead and support component preparation, hand insertion, hand soldering, wave soldering, and selective soldering operations.
• Verify component identification, polarity, orientation, placement, and workmanship throughout the assembly process.
• Confirm equipment setups and process settings follow approved instructions; coordinate first-article verification and required approvals before production proceeds.
• Monitor work in process, output, and schedule progress; communicate material shortages, equipment problems, staffing needs, and production delays to the Supervisor.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for assembly and soldering defects; contain affected work and **escalate** recurring or unresolved issues to Engineering, Quality, or the Supervisor.
• Perform and support authorized rework and solder touch-up in accordance with approved procedures.
• Train and coach operators on assembly methods, soldering techniques, equipment operation, workmanship requirements, and safe handling practices.
• Verify completion of production records, traceability requirements, first-article documentation, and in-process inspection forms.
• Communicate clear shift pass-downs covering job status, priorities, quality concerns, and unresolved issues.
• Reinforce safety, ESD, applicable MSD handling, housekeeping, and 5S requirements.
• Work with Engineering and Quality to identify defect trends and improve processes, reducing rework and production interruptions.
• Support other assembly or rework areas as directed by the Supervisor, Engineer, or Manager.

Qualifications

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of experience in through-hole assembly and soldering in a contract manufacturing or electronics production environment.

Previous experience as a production lead, trainer, or senior operator with responsibility for guiding other employees preferred.

Hands-on experience with hand soldering and selective and/or wave soldering equipment.

IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification preferred.

Skills

Strong soldering and defect troubleshooting skills for both leaded and lead-free assemblies.

Ability to read and interpret MPIs, assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, and customer requirements.

Understanding of component identification, polarity, orientation, and color codes.

Working knowledge of IPC-A-610 Class 2 and 3 workmanship requirements.

Ability to organize workloads, communicate priorities, and guide operators to meet quality and production goals.

Effective training, coaching, and problem-solving skills.

Excellent attention to detail and commitment to consistent workmanship.

Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and production tracking systems.

Clear verbal and written communication skills in English.

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Paid time off and holidays

Opportunities for advancement in a growing, technology-driven manufacturing environment

Schedule

8-hour shift, Monday-Friday

Overtime and weekends as needed

Pay Range

$24 - $28 USD

ITAR/EAR Compliance:

Due to the nature of the work performed at Rocket EMS, this position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology. The successful candidate must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. export-control laws or be eligible for any required government authorization.

Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.