We9re building a dedicated Production Engineering function at Senra Systems from the ground up, and we need a leader to own it. As Lead Production Engineer, you will define how Production Engineering operates day-to-day, hire and develop a team of Production Engineers, and serve as the primary bridge between Production and Manufacturing Engineering teams. This is a player-coach role - you carry your own technical workload while growing the people around you.
Where Manufacturing Engineers own the front end - BOMs, Engineering Masters, work instructions, formboards - you own execution. Your team is the technical backbone of the production floor: troubleshooting builds in real time, dispositioning NCRs, supporting first articles, and ensuring every kit that hits a workbench is accurate and ready to work. This role reports directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and works cross-functionally with the Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, and Production teams.
What you9ll own:Team Leadership & Development
- Hire, onboard, and develop a team of Production Engineers; set clear performance expectations and build a high-accountability team culture
- Hold regular 1:1s with your team; understand their development goals and actively create growth opportunities
- Define escalation paths clearly - what PEs handle, what comes to you, and what goes to ME or Quality
Floor Technical Authority
- Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex production issues, difficult NCR dispositions, and critical first article reviews
- Maintain hands-on presence; this role leads from the floor, not from a desk
- Own first article sign-off for the PE team; review and approve PE-initiated dispositions before release
ME-PE Interface
- Own the working relationship between Production Engineering and the ME organization; represent production needs in engineering planning conversations
- Ensure documentation issues (redlines, work instruction gaps, formboard errors) are tracked, communicated, and resolved with the ME team within defined SLAs
- Provide structured feedback to ME leads on recurring documentation or DFM issues surfaced during production
NCR Performance & Quality
- Own PE team NCR disposition SLA performance; track aging and report weekly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager
- Drive root cause and corrective action on repeat non-conformances; close the loop with production and quality
- Partner with Quality on workmanship trends, inspection holds, and systemic issues requiring cross-functional action
Kitting & Material Flow Oversight
- Oversee kit verification processes and ensure the PE team is catching discrepancies before they reach the floor
- Identify systemic kitting gaps and escalate to ME and supply chain with data-backed recommendations
Metrics & Reporting
- Track and report PE team performance weekly: NCR disposition SLA, first article cycle time, open issue aging
- Provide commentary on trends, risks, and improvement actions - not just raw numbers
Process Development
- Define and document how Production Engineering operates at Senra - standard workflows, escalation paths, and handoff protocols with ME - particularly as Factory Two scales up
- Identify and lead targeted process improvement initiatives that reduce rework, floor disruptions, or NCR volume
What you9ll bring to the team:- 5+ years in wire harness or cable assembly manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a senior, lead, or manager-level role
- Deep knowledge of wire harness assembly processes: wire prep, crimping, soldering, backshell assembly, harness routing, and electrical testing
- Strong working knowledge of IPC/WHMA-A-620 workmanship standards; CIS or CIT certification preferred
- Experience managing or mentoring engineers or technicians with measurable results
- Ability to read and interpret complex wiring diagrams, schematics, assembly drawings, and specifications
- Strong verbal communicator - comfortable working with technicians, supervisors, and cross-functional engineers in the same conversation
- Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident)
Preferred:
- Experience in an aerospace or defense contract manufacturing environment
- Familiarity with NASA 8739.4 and IPC/WHMA-A-620 space addendum workmanship requirements
- Experience with MIL-spec connectors and contacts across multiple connector families
- Experience supporting a facility scale-up, production line bring-up, or new product introduction in a high-mix environment
- Familiarity with ERP or MES systems in a manufacturing environment
Success in This Role Looks Like: Within 6-12 months, you will have:
- Hired and onboarded a functioning PE team with clear roles, expectations, and escalation paths in place
- Established and maintained NCR disposition SLA compliance across the PE team, with visible reduction in NCR aging
- Defined the PE-ME handoff workflow - documentation feedback is structured, tracked, and actioned on a regular cadence
- Delivered weekly metrics to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager with meaningful commentary, not just data
- Built a floor culture where technicians trust the PE team and quality issues are caught early rather than escaping to inspection
Compensation: - Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.
- Salary Range: $115,000-$155,000
- This is an onsite role at our factory in Cypress, CA.
Benefits: - Unmatched opportunities to drive impact on a friendly and mission-driven team
- Own a piece of the pie with equity participation!
- Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability coverage
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (DSA) for health-related expenses
- 20 vacation days per year and 12 company holidays for rest and relaxation
- a 401(k) plan to set yourself up for retirement
- Choose a record you love, and we9ll add it to our growing vinyl collection!
- $50/month DoorDash credit - lunch is on us!
- Up to $100/month reimbursement for gym memberships
- Fully stocked kitchen with snacks and beverages
- Regular team-building events, lunches, and the occasional breakfast burrito!
- Bright, open office with communal spaces for collaboration and free parking
- Conveniently located near the metro, major freeways and local dining spots
Pay range
$115,000-$155,000 USD
