Staff DFx Manufacturing Engineer
Core
Technical authority on Design for X (DFx) for avionics, electronics, and harnessing subsystems across autonomous aircraft and munitions programs, ensuring hardware is designed for scalable production.
Role type
Staff-level individual contributor manufacturing engineer
Builds
Avionics, electronics, and harnessing subsystems for autonomous aircraft, cruise missiles, and loitering munitions
Domain
Defense technology / Aerospace electronics manufacturing
Required skills
Electronics manufacturing processes (SMT, soldering, potting, harness fabrication), DFM/DFA/DFT review leadership, IPC standards application, cross-functional collaboration, schematic/PCB layout evaluation, hands-on assembly experience
Preferred skills
Aerospace/defense electronics production, AS9100/AS9102 quality systems, ECAD tools proficiency, DOE/SPC/Six Sigma, automated test solution development
Technologies
SMT, wave/selective solder, conformal coating, potting, wire harness fabrication, box-build assembly, Altium, KiCad
Responsibilities
Lead structured DFM/DFA/DFT reviews at design milestones; Embed with design teams to provide real-time manufacturing feedback on PCBA layout and component selection; Develop and maintain DFx standards, guidelines, and scorecards for electronics manufacturing; Analyze designs across manufacturability, quality, specification, process capability, and technology maturity lenses; Champion testability early in the design cycle; Partner with quality engineering on inspection plans and process control; Collaborate with supply chain on supplier capability and make-vs-buy decisions; Mentor junior and mid-level manufacturing engineers; Travel to production sites and suppliers as needed
Seniority
Staff, technical authority and mentorship