5+ years in manufacturing or development of high-reliability hardware
Proven leadership in developing manufacturing processes
Experience with avionics hardware for space applications
Familiarity with IPC workmanship standards
Responsibilities
Build and lead a team of avionics manufacturing engineers
Own the full lifecycle of avionics manufacturing
Partner with engineers for Design for Manufacturability feedback
Set standards for manufacturing process development and documentation
Manage production readiness and delivery schedules
Root cause production failures and drive corrective actions
Benefits
Join a team of best-in-class engineers
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits including mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Weekly lunch stipend and complimentary snacks
Monthly social hour with food and drinks
Full Job Description
Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer
Department: Avionics
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Hawthorne, California
Compensation: $160,000 - $240,000 / year
Description
The Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer will build and manage a team of manufacturing engineers responsible for the end-to-end manufacturing of high-reliability avionics hardware, spanning wire harness build and test, PCBA production, electromechanical assembly, environmental testing, and systems integration. You will define how avionics hardware gets built at Astrolab, setting standards, shaping manufacturable designs, and building the processes and team to execute at production scale.
What you'll do:
Build and lead a team of avionics manufacturing engineers including hiring, setting technical direction, executing priorities, and fostering a culture of ownership, craftsmanship, and collaboration
Own the full lifecycle of avionics manufacturing: process development, qualification, new product introduction, production ramp, and sustainment across harnessing, PCBA, and electromechanical assembly
Partner with Responsible Engineers to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFX) feedback, participate in design reviews, and shape designs for rate production
Set team standards for manufacturing process development, validation, work instructions, and documentation in compliance with Astrolab quality processes and IPC workmanship standards
Own production readiness, capacity planning, and delivery schedules for avionics hardware, coordinating with production, supply chain, and quality to meet vehicle integration milestones
Root cause production failures and non-conformances, drive corrective actions to closure through the MRB process, and support vehicle-level failure investigations as needed
What you'll bring:
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) related field
5+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or development of high-reliability electrical or electromechanical hardware
Experience leading engineers and developing manufacturing processes for high-reliability electronics, including process qualification, tooling, and production documentation
Preferred Qualifications
Experience building, managing, and developing a team of manufacturing engineers
Experience manufacturing avionics hardware for space applications, including wire harnessing, PCBA production, electromechanical assembly, or vehicle integration
Experience with IPC workmanship standards such as J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620, including space addenda
Experience with new product introduction, production ramp, and capacity planning in a flight hardware production environment
Experience with MES and PLM systems, mBOM management, and production data platforms
Experience with nonconformance, MRB, corrective action or change management processes in a flight hardware production environment
Benefits and Perks
Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration
Equity ownership in the company
Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support
401(k) plan with company match
Flexible PTO and parental leave
Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site
Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks
