Purpose: We are seeking a Senior Engineering Manager to lead our printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and electromechanical integration design engineering function. This role owns the full technical and organizational scope of taking bare/populated PCBAs from fabrication through final mechanical integration into system-level assemblies - including enclosure fit, header and connector interfaces, and wire harness design and termination. The ideal candidate combines hands-on electromechanical engineering depth with proven people-management experience and is comfortable operating at both the strategic (design, DFM/DFA, process capability, supplier strategy) and tactical levels.
Key Responsibilities include the following (other duties may be assigned as needed)
:Engineering Leadership:
- Lead, mentor, and grow a team of engineers and technicians responsible for PCBA assembly design and processes along with mechanical/electrical integration of circuit boards into finished products
- Own technical roadmap for PCBA design, manufacturing processes, tooling, and integration methods; set priorities and allocate engineering resources across concurrent programs
- Serve as escalation point for complex assembly, integration, and quality issues spanning SMT, through-hole, and mechanical integration domains
- Partner with Program Management to establish realistic schedules for NPI (New Product Introduction) design, builds, pilot runs, and production ramp
- Manage budgets, both expense and capitol
- Develop timelines and manage projects within the group
- Complete reviews of team members performance and provide feedback
PCBA Design & Process Engineering:
- Own design and Design for Assembly (DFA) review processes for new PCBA designs
- Establish and maintain design for IPC-A-610/J-STD-001 class III workmanship standards, and inspection criteria (AOI, X-ray, ICT, functional test)
Mechanical Integration:
- Own the engineering interface between PCBA and mechanical enclosures/housings - fastening methods, standoffs, thermal interface, EMI/EMC shielding, gasketing, and ingress protection
- Ensure tolerance stack-up analysis is performed for board-to-housing and board-to-board integration; resolve fit, form, and function issues found in first-article builds
- Coordinate with mechanical/industrial design engineering on interfaces to motors and other enclosures
Headers, Connectors & Wire Harnesses:
- Own connector and header design and selection strategy (board-to-wire, board-to-board, and panel-mount interfaces), balancing cost, current/voltage rating, mating cycles, vibration/environmental sealing, and field serviceability
- Lead wire harness design engineering: wire gauge/derating calculations, routing, strain relief, splice and crimp specifications, and harness-to-connector termination methods (crimp, IDC, solder cup, ultrasonic weld)
- Establish and audit crimp pull-test and termination quality standards (per IPC/WHMA-A-620); manage supplier harness quality where harnesses are outsourced
- Drive standardization of connector/header families across product lines to reduce part proliferation and improve supply chain resilience
Cross-Functional & Supplier Engagement:
- Partner with Supply Chain on PCBA contract manufacturer (CM) selection, qualification, and ongoing performance management
- Collaborate with Electrical, Mechanical, and Test Engineering throughout the product development lifecycle to ensure manufacturability is designed in early
- Represent Engineering in design reviews, program gate reviews, and customer/quality audits as needed
Qualifications:Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering preferred, or related technical field (equivalent experience considered)
- 8+ years of progressive experience in PCBA design, electromechanical assembly, or electronics integration engineering
- 3+ years of direct people management experience
- Working knowledge of IPC-A-610, IPC/WHMA-A-620, and J-STD-001 standards
- Experience with PLM/ECO systems
- Strong track record of leading cross-functional teams through NPI to production ramp
- Experience in automotive, defense/aerospace, or other high-reliability electronics industries
- Familiarity with IATF 16949, AS9100, or ISO 9001 quality systems
- Experience managing or qualifying contract manufacturers (CMs) for PCBA and harness builds
Supervisory Responsibility: None.
Working Conditions: This role typically operates in an office and lab environments. Occasional domestic and international travel is required (10% of the time).
Physical Requirements: Occasional handling of components up to 50 lbs.
Remote Work: Needs to be on site typically unless traveling for work
