Director of Engineering, PCBA Manufacturing

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.