Candidates with aerospace manufacturing engineering experience and leadership in high-reliability electronics will find this leadership role in Carson City, NV, suitable for those aiming to drive process optimization and compliance.
Derived from job-description analysis by Serendipath's career intelligence engine.
Original posting from Rocket EMS via Greenhouse
Director of Engineering
Position Summary
The Director of Engineering oversees all process/manufacturing engineering functions within a high-mix, high-reliability PCBA manufacturing environment producing Class 3 aerospace and mission-critical assemblies. This role leads PCBA manufacturing engineering, process engineering, NPI, DFM/DFX, sustaining engineering, and automation/continuous improvement initiatives. The Director ensures that all engineering processes comply with IPC, J-STD, AS9100, and aerospace customer addendums while optimizing manufacturability, quality, cost, and throughput.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Lead and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team (SMT Process, Manufacturing, New Product Introduction, and Automation).
Drive engineering strategy aligned with company objectives for quality, cost, yield, and delivery.
Serve as the technical authority for IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3, IPC-A-610 Class 3, IPC-7711/7721, and aerospace process controls.
Manufacturing / Process Engineering
Own company-wide engineering initiatives across all PCBA manufacturing functional areas, including build readiness reviews and standardization efforts.
Ensure process qualification and documentation aligns with J-STD-001 Space & Military Addendum and applicable aerospace customer requirements.
Establish and maintain process windows, control plans, PFMEAs, and validation reports.
New Product Introduction (NPI)
Lead DFM/DFX reviews, tooling design, stencil strategy, and prototype builds.
Oversee creation of travelers, BOM validation, build instructions, and work instructions in compliance with AS9100.
Manage engineering change control (ECOs), configuration management, and revision control.
Automation & Continuous Improvement
Lead LEAN/CI programs focused on waste reduction, defect elimination, and throughput improvement.
Collaborate closely with Quality Engineering to address defects, root cause investigations, and MRB activities.
Implement process monitoring, SPC, and industry 4.0 tools.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Production, Quality, Program Management, Supply Chain, and SMT departments.
Provide engineering support during customer audits, FAIs, PFMEAs, and technical reviews.
Partner with external suppliers on polymerics, tooling, fixtures, materials, and new process technologies.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field (Master’s preferred).
10-15+ years in PCBA manufacturing engineering with at least 10+ years in a leadership role.
Deep knowledge of:
IPC-J-STD-001 Class 3 & Space/Military Addendums
IPC-A-610 Class 3
AS9100D
IPC-7351, 7711/7721, 2221
Experience with aerospace, defense, medical, or other high-reliability electronics.
Strong background in SMT (printing, placement, reflow), AOI/AXI, DFM/DFX, Rework, Chemical Wash, Polymerics, and test strategies.
Excellent leadership, communication, and technical decision-making abilities.
Pay Range$150,000—$200,000 USDITAR/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.
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Source: Rocket EMS careers (Greenhouse)