Job Opportunity: Front-End Engineering Manager

About Us:
Winonics, a 50+ year-old leader in the printed circuit board (PCB) industry, specializes in delivering cutting-edge solutions for the Aerospace, Defense, Medical, and Commercial industries. With two state-of-the-art facilities in Brea and Fullerton, California, and a mission to remain at the forefront of technological innovation, we take pride in fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented work environment.

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About the Role

The Front-End Engineering Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing the PCB fabrication front-end engineering systems and team. Included in this role, this position will ensure that all customer-supplied design data is accurately prepared for manufacturing while maintaining industry standards for quality, efficiency, and process reliability. The ideal candidate will have experience in PCB CAM engineering, tooling, planning, and front-end process optimization, along with strong leadership and technical expertise with both rigid and rigid-flex products.

Duties and Responsibilities

Team Leadership & Process Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of front-end/CAM and Planning engineers responsible for PCB tooling and data preparation.
• Ensure manufacturing feasibility of customer-supplied data while maintaining quality and performance standards.
• Foster a continuous improvement culture, optimizing front-end processes for efficiency and accuracy.

Technical Execution & Data Preparation

• Oversee the review and modification of customer-supplied PCB designs to meet manufacturing specifications.
• Ensure accurate tooling setup within Genesis and other CAM related software for PCB manufacturing.
• Generate and validate drill, rout, and imaging data required for production.
• Manage panelization, coupon design, and optimization of PCB layouts for efficient manufacturing.
• Safely modify customer data as required and obtain necessary approvals.
• Develop and implement DFM (Design for Manufacturability) guidelines for improved yield and reliability.

Collaboration & Project Coordination

• Work closely with production, quality, and engineering teams to ensure smooth transition from design to manufacturing.
• Communicate with customers and sales teams regarding manufacturability concerns, modifications, and design improvements.
• Maintain and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for PCB front-end engineering.
• Research and implement new PCB CAM processing technologies to enhance productivity.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

• Must be proficient in Genesis.
• Strong understanding of rigid, flex, rigid-flex, and sequential lamination PCB designs.
• Experience with DFM analysis, panelization, and Gerber file processing.
• Knowledge of drill, rout, and imaging data preparation for PCB manufacturing.
• Ability to troubleshoot signal integrity, impedance control, and stack-up issues.
• Strong leadership and decision-making skills in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities and keen attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15+ years of PCB front-end engineering experience, with at least 10 years in a leadership role.
• Experience working with high-reliability PCBs for Aerospace, Defense, or Medical applications.
• Understanding of IPC standards (IPC-6012, IPC-2221, IPC-6013, IPC-6018, MIL-PRF-31032, etc.).
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and drive process improvements.

Why Join Us?

• Work with a leading PCB fabrication team in a cutting-edge manufacturing environment.
• Opportunity to lead next-generation PCB front-end processes and contribute to technological advancements.
• Competitive salary, benefits, and career growth opportunities.
• Be part of a collaborative, fast-paced, and innovation-driven company.

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What We Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from $100,000 to $120,000 plus performance bonus.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and paid time off.
• A collaborative and innovative workplace culture.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• The chance to contribute to the success of a leading U.S.-based PCB supplier.

How to Apply

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and interest in the position to jsmith@winonics.com with the subject line "Front-End Engineering Manager Application".

Join us at Winonics and play a pivotal role in supporting our talented workforce and driving operational excellence across both locations!