Manufacturing Engineering Manager

The Manufacturing Engineering Manager plans, directs, and coordinates manufacturing and test engineering activities to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality production and validation processes for the manufacturing of electronic assemblies.

This role leads cross-functional engineering teams responsible for production test engineering, new product introduction (NPI), manufacturing engineering, and equipment reliability. The position plays a critical role in optimizing manufacturing performance, improving production test systems, supporting product ramp, and driving continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

A key focus of this role is production test engineering leadership, ensuring robust test systems, effective failure diagnostics, and improved product quality and manufacturing yield.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role within a high-mix electronics manufacturing environment, working closely with engineering teams, technicians, and production personnel to improve manufacturing performance and support operational goals.

• Lead and develop cross-functional engineering teams including NPI Engineers, Test Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, and Maintenance Technicians. 
• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and performance management for engineering staff. 
• Establish engineering priorities aligned with production requirements and company objectives. 

• Provide leadership and direction to the Test Engineering team responsible for production test systems. 
• Support development, validation, and improvement of functional test systems, fixtures, and diagnostic processes. 
• Ensure production test processes effectively support product quality, defect detection, and yield improvement. 
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure test readiness during new product introductions. 

• Oversee engineering activities related to transitioning products from design into manufacturing. 
• Support prototype builds, pilot builds, and production ramp activities. 
• Ensure manufacturability and test strategies are established prior to production launch. 
• Monitor NPI performance and drive stabilization of products during early production phases. 

• Lead improvements to manufacturing processes, tooling, and production workflows. 
• Support initiatives to improve throughput, quality, and production efficiency. 
• Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for manufacturing issues. 
• Collaborate with production teams to resolve technical challenges affecting manufacturing performance. 

• Provide leadership and direction to maintenance personnel responsible for production equipment and facility systems. 
• Ensure preventative maintenance programs support equipment reliability and production uptime. 
• Coordinate improvements to manufacturing equipment and production infrastructure. 

• Drive initiatives that improve first-pass yield, manufacturing efficiency, and operational performance. 
• Utilize engineering data and production metrics to identify improvement opportunities. 
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing organization. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related engineering discipline. 

• Minimum 8 years of engineering experience in manufacturing environments.

• Minimum 3 years of engineering leadership or managerial experience.

• Experience supporting production test systems, manufacturing processes, and new product introductions.

• Experience with functional test systems, test fixtures, or board-level diagnostics. 
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in a manufacturing environment.

• Experience working in electronics manufacturing services (EMS) environments. 
• Experience supporting SMT manufacturing processes and high-mix production environments. 
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience 

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and develop engineering teams.

• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes (SMT, assembly, and production testing).

• Experience supporting production test strategies, diagnostics, and failure analysis.

• Ability to interpret production data and performance metrics to drive process improvements.

• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, production, and management teams.

• Frequently required to sit, stand, and walk between office areas and the manufacturing floor. 
• Regular use of hands and fingers to operate computers, keyboards, and other office equipment. 
• Occasionally required to bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch while observing or evaluating manufacturing processes or equipment. 
• May occasionally need to reach with hands and arms while inspecting equipment, fixtures, or manufacturing setups. 
• Ability to lift and/or move items up to 25 pounds occasionally, such as test fixtures, tooling, or equipment components. 
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, particularly when reviewing electronic assemblies or diagnostic equipment. 
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively with team members in both office and production environments. 

• Work is performed primarily on-site within an electronics manufacturing facility. 
• Regular interaction with engineering teams, production personnel, technicians, and maintenance staff. 
• Frequent presence on the production floor to observe processes, troubleshoot issues, and support engineering teams. 
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts, automated manufacturing equipment, and SMT production lines. 
• Moderate noise levels consistent with a high-mix electronics manufacturing environment. 
• Occasional exposure to fumes, soldering operations, cleaning chemicals, and airborne particles associated with electronic assembly processes. 
• Work involves a combination of office-based engineering work and time spent on the manufacturing floor. 
• Use of computers, engineering tools, and manufacturing systems for analysis, documentation, and process development. 
• Occasional interaction with equipment vendors, contractors, and service technicians supporting production equipment. 
• May require limited travel for training, vendor support, or equipment evaluation.