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.
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.
Other open roles at Rocket EMS(6)
Rocket EMS would rather invest its effort in figuring out how to solve a problem instead of telling you all the little things that will delay a project or get in the way. Too many EMS manufacturers would rather tell you what they can’t do instead of just delivering on time, on budget, and beyond expectations. Rocket EMS Inc., founded in Jan 2011, is a Santa Clara, Calif.-based Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) company serving fast-growth, high-technology companies. We are uniquely positioned to meet the very high demands of New Product Introduction (NPI) manufacturing and test. Rocket is a one-stop partner, specializing in ultra-quick-turn (24 – 48 hour) manufacturing of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), design and complementary services. Our core team has a proven track record of investing in and utilizing advanced technology, equipment and software to manufacture customer products extremely quickly with the highest quality. Our strategy is to build a team of the industry’s very best people, to invest in the most advanced technologies and to serve as a model for EMS industry best practices. With this as our foundation, we’re committed to executing far above our competitors. It isn't easy, but if you put the right people together, all with exceptional experience, a shared drive, and a pursuit of excellence, you’ll have something truly remarkable. Throw in a facility with top of the line equipment and you have the core of what is Rocket EMS. Rocket EMS: Taking contract manufacturing to the next level. Contact Information: Telephone:408-727-3700 E-mail: [email protected]
Key team members
Kelly Fine
Gregg Johnson
Ben R.
Benson Yeung
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