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Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Growing aerospace technology company San Francisco, CA Direct Hire Manufacturing $150,000 - $230,000

Job Summary

Lead and scale internal PCBA production capabilities for advanced hardware in a fast-paced aerospace environment. Own the full production lifecycle from equipment selection and factory layout through capacity planning and new product introduction.

Essential Functions

  • Lead a team of engineers, specialists, and technicians performing PCBA assembly and test operations for development and flight hardware
  • Develop and implement production strategy to establish and scale internal PCBA capabilities to meet aggressive rate targets
  • Champion Design-for-Manufacturing with design engineering to improve hardware manufacturability
  • Own the physical production layout, optimizing material flow from receiving through all processes to finished product
  • Create metrics and tools to monitor production success including yield and on-time delivery
  • Drive continuous improvement across processes, tooling, and ground support equipment

Required Qualifications

  • 5-8 years of experience in PCBA assembly processes with strong technical foundation
  • Direct people management experience leading engineers or technicians
  • Experience running an SMT line and setting up production equipment
  • U.S. Citizen, LPR, Asylee, or Refugee (ITAR compliant)
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering (EE preferred)
  • Experience in startup or fast-paced production environments
  • Hands-on PCBA production experience including SMT, reflow, and rework

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience insourcing or standing up new production lines and equipment
  • Process qualification experience for new manufacturing equipment
  • Background in space, defense, or similar high-reliability industries
  • Strong track record of transitioning products from development to high-rate production

Technical Skills

  • PCBA Assembly and Test
  • SMT and Through-Hole Soldering
  • Pick-and-Place Equipment
  • AOI and X-Ray Inspection
  • ERP, MRP, and MES Systems
  • ISO 9001 and AS9100 Quality Standards
  • Design of Experiments (DOE)
  • IPC Standards

Education & Certifications

Bachelor's degree in engineering required. Electrical engineering preferred but any engineering discipline accepted.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary range: $150,000 to $230,000. Total compensation will be based on experience and qualifications.

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