Emerald Technologies has an exciting opportunity for an Engineering Manager to join our Saline, MI team! At Emerald Technologies, every employee plays a meaningful role in building innovative products for aerospace, medical, defense, and commercial applications. Join a supportive, collaborative team where your work matters and your career can grow without limits.
The Engineering Manager leads and manages the engineering organization with a specific focus on front- end engineering, process engineering, and manufacturing engineering for PCBA contract manufacturing. This role combines strategic leadership with technical depth to ensure robust process design, accurate documentation, and seamless New Product Introduction (NPI). This role sets engineering strategy, mentors staff, owns digital manufacturing systems (e.g., MES), and partners with customers and cross- functional teams to deliver innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective outcomes aligned with company goals.
Requirements:
Leadership & Strategy:
- Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Develop and execute a clear engineering strategy aligned with company objectives for quality, delivery, cost, and growth.
- Translate business priorities into engineering roadmaps (capability, capacity, skills, and tools).
- Establish and track engineering KPIs and OKRs; review performance regularly and drive corrective actions.
Team Management:
- Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing engineering team; oversee recruitment, training, performance evaluations, and career development.
- Balance departmental skills and workload across front-end/NPI, process engineering, manufacturing engineering, and data/MES roles (including Aegis/FactoryLogix and Contract Review personnel).
- Define robust process windows and controls for SMT, THT, reflow, AOI/SPI, conformal coating, ICT/functional test, and box-build as applicable.
- Lead front-end engineering functions: Process Capability, Process Work Instructions, NPI, Prototypes, DFM analysis, and labor development for quotations and processes.
- Promote cross-functional collaboration among manufacturing, quality, supply chain, sales, and finance.
- Set clear expectations, monitor progress, and ensure accountability for team deliverables.
- Ensure clear, accurate, and effective work instructions are provided to operators and assemblers.
- Drive DFM/DFT with customers and design partners to improve yield, throughput, and cost.
Process & Manufacturing Engineering Management:
- Provide strategic and day-to-day leadership of Process Engineering (PE) and Manufacturing Engineering (ME) functions, ensuring stable, capable, and continuously improved production processes.
- Develop and maintain process controls: PFMEA, control plans, SPC, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), standardized work, and error-proofing (poka-yoke).
- Ensure manufacturing lines (SMT, THT, reflow, AOI/AXI, coating, test, assembly) operate at peak performance using structured problem solving (8D, DMAIC, 5-Why).
- Oversee design, development, procurement, and maintenance of tooling, fixtures, stencils, wave pallets, and test equipment to support efficient assembly and test operations.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives targeting yield, scrap, throughput, labor variance, changeover time, and equipment uptime using Lean/Six Sigma.
- Direct MEs in optimizing process flows, line balancing, setup reduction (SMED), ergonomics, and automation opportunities (including programming, robotics, conveyors, and feeders).
- Ensure timely production support: troubleshooting, equipment programming/recipes, line readiness, and new material/tooling validation.
- Partner with Quality Engineering on defect classification, CAPA, and layered process audits; enforce process standardization across shifts/lines.
- Approve ECOs, document updates, and process revisions to ensure product and process integrity.
- Define and publish PE/ME metrics: FPY, OEE, DPMO/DPPM, downtime causes, cycle time, MTBF/MTTR, and cost savings.
Customer & Commercial Support:
- Review and advise on Contract Reviews and front-end sales activities (questionnaires, facility tours, quality audits, and technical presentations).
- Interface regularly with customers to confirm requirements/expectations and translate them into manufacturable, compliant solutions.
- Support quoting with process routing, labor standards, tooling/fixture needs, and risk/assumption documentation.
Data Systems, MES & Reporting (Digital Thread):
- Design efficient workflows for real-time data collection, processing, and reporting.
- Administer, maintain, and optimize the Aegis FactoryLogix database (or equivalent MES) to ensure process creation/modification accurately reflects current assembly builds.
- Develop dashboards and reports for production tracking, yield analysis, defect Pareto, rework trends, and operational KPIs; collaborate with manufacturing and quality to ensure accuracy and relevance.
- Support troubleshooting of data collection/processing issues on the production floor; ensure data integrity and traceability.
Technical Oversight & Process Governance:
- Oversee architecture and documentation for scalable, reliable manufacturing processes and test strategies.
- Ensure adherence to best practices in process control, SPC, PFMEA, control plans, change management (ECO), ESD control, and documentation governance.
- Own standards compliance and deployment (e.g., IPC-A-610/620, J-STD-001, ISO 9001/IATF 16949/AS9100 as applicable).
NPI & Project Delivery:
- Prioritize and allocate resources effectively to meet NPI gates, customer milestones, and internal objectives.
- Lead NPI stage-gate and cross-functional readiness (BOM/AVL validation, tooling/fixtures, FAI, PPV/PVT); proactively address risks (DFMEA/PFMEA, controls/mitigations).
- Establish and track KPIs for NPI success (e.g., FPY@FAI, ramp-to-rate days, ECO cycle time, quote-to-award hit rate, on-time launch).
Continuous Improvement & Cost
- Optimize workflows, tools, and methodologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost (Lean/Six Sigma, SMED, 5S, standard work).
- Identify and execute CI projects to reduce DPPM/DPMO, rework, changeover time, and labor variance.
- Stay informed on industry trends and emerging technologies (automation, analytics, AI/ML for inspection, advanced soldering, digital twin) to maintain competitive advantage.
Benefits of the Job:
- Competitive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- 401K and company matching with no vesting period
- PTO for rest and relaxation
- Gym reimbursement (through Anthem)
- Employee Assistance Program
- A safe and inclusive work environment with team and management support
- Employee training and development
- Community service and philanthropic initiatives
- Employee appreciation and events
- Career advancement opportunities
- Pet Insurance
- Employee Referral program
- Employee discounts
QUALIFICATIONS (Education & Experience):
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (e.g., Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing).
- 10+ years of engineering experience.
- 5+ years in electronics/PCBA manufacturing or EMS/CM environment.
- Proven track record leading front-end engineering, NPI, work instructions, and DFM/DFx with customers.
- Demonstrated success managing and delivering complex technical projects with measurable KPIs.
- Strong proficiency with MES/MOM (e.g., Aegis FactoryLogix), project management tools, spreadsheets, and documentation systems.
- Excellent interpersonal, communication (oral/written), and problem-solving skills; effective with customers, suppliers, and executives.
- CRM/Contact Management; Database software; Design/CAD/EDA tools; Internet/MES applications; Order processing/ERP; Project Management software; Spreadsheets; Word Processing.
- MES administration (Aegis FactoryLogix or equivalent), route/version control, recipe management, traceability, label/serialization, and dashboarding.
- Understanding of SMT/THT processes, soldering standards, inspection methods (AOI/AXI), ICT/functional test, and fixture/tooling development.
- Ability to create/read technical procedures, engineering drawings, wiring diagrams, and regulatory/industry standards.
Please note this job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Emerald Technologies is an electronics manufacturing services (EMS) provider for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, focusing on high-reliability electronic assemblies. With design and manufacturing facilities in California, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon as well as in China and Malaysia. Emerald Technologies specializes in high mix, low- to medium-volume manufacturing for high-reliability markets in the Aerospace/Defense, Life Sciences, Renewable Energy, Industrial Controls, Power & Infrastructure, Semiconductor and Telecommunications sectors. However, our rapid turnaround times, responsive customer service, and collaborative problem-solving approach distinguishes us from the competition. At Emerald Technologies, we are committed to fully understanding and meeting the needs of our customers through quality excellence, advanced engineering, and a solid commitment to customer relationships. Emerald Technologies, is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.