Defense Contractor Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

For more than a decade, Design West Technologies Inc. has served as a trusted partner to the Department of Defense (DoD), delivering mission-critical design engineering and rugged manufacturing solutions that protect our nation's warfighters. As we enter our next chapter, we are blending our deep-rooted defense heritage with a start-up culture designed to take advantage of the current DoD landscape. Operating out of our advanced facilities in Tustin, CA, we are seeking an ambitious, forward-thinking Director of Microelectronics to champion this cultural evolution and lead the aggressive scaling of our high-reliability Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) production. The successful candidate will spearhead our transition toward insourcing comprehensive bare board fabrication and drive increased throughput and production capacity.

While this position demands the speed, adaptability, and entrepreneurship of a tech start-up, it requires uncompromising adherence to rigorous military standards and traditional defense contracting compliance. The Director will ensure all microelectronics operations strictly conform to AS9100, ISO 9001, ITAR regulations, and NIST protocols, maintaining the secure supply chain environments and cleanroom certifications essential for defense-grade hardware. Candidates must possess a proven track record of leadership, ability to inspire, problem-solve and have an inherent desire to build.

Key Responsibilities

• Secure Operations Management: Oversee all SMT and through-hole production while strictly enforcing ITAR controls and data security policies on the manufacturing floor.
• High-Reliability Leadership: Build and direct highly vetted team of engineers and technicians, ensuring 100% adherence to IPC-A-610 Class 3 (Aerospace and Military) standards.
• Budget & P&L Ownership: Manage capital expenditure and operational budgets, optimizing yield rates for complex, low-volume, high-mix defense contracts.
• AS9100 Compliance: Serve as the executive authority for AS9100 aerospace quality management systems, leading regulatory audits and ensuring complete component traceability.
• Defense Client Relations: Be the face of microelectronics and partner with program management, defense agencies and contractors while executing facility walk-throughs, technical reviews, production and product qualification phases.
• Risk & Counterfeit Mitigation: Implement rigorous inspection processes to prevent the introduction of counterfeit components into the defense supply chain.

Qualifications

• U.S. Security Clearance: Must possess U.S. Security Clearance or be capable of obtaining and maintaining a U.S. Department of Defense Security Clearance.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. Master's degree or MBA preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 10+ years of manufacturing leadership experience specifically within a defense contractor or aerospace electronics environment.
• Regulatory Expertise: Deep, verifiable experience managing operations under ITAR regulations and AS9100 quality systems.
• Technical Standards: Mastery of IPC-A-610 Class 3, J-STD-001 Space Addendum, and automated testing protocols (e.g., X-ray, flying probe, functional testing).

Why Join Us?

You'll have the opportunity to make a direct impact by protecting the infrastructure that supports mission-critical defense programs. Working alongside talented engineers and technology professionals, you'll help strengthen our cybersecurity posture, support regulatory compliance, and contribute to innovative solutions that protect those who protect us. EEO employer including veterans & individuals with disabilities.