Director of Engineering

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 USD

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.