Director Performance Engineering Jobs in Connecticut

Director of Engineering

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Engineering provides strategic and operational leadership for Microboard's Engineering and Document Control functions. This position is responsible for developing engineering capabilities, leading process and technology improvements, supporting new product introduction, and partnering with customers and suppliers to ensure engineering resources and processes support Microboard's goals for quality, delivery, productivity, cost, and customer satisfaction.

The Director leads, coaches, and develops the engineering and document control teams while working closely with Operations, Quality, Program Management, Supply Chain, Business Development, and executive leadership to resolve issues, align priorities, manage cross-functional initiatives, and achieve company objectives.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Engineering Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and direct the Engineering and Document Control teams, establishing priorities, assigning resources, and ensuring timely completion of projects and deliverables.
• Develop, coach, and mentor engineering staff to build technical capability, accountability, initiative, and effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Establish and maintain engineering processes, standards, and performance expectations that support safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and customer satisfaction.
• Identify staffing, training, equipment, and resource requirements and make recommendations to executive leadership.
• Promote continuous improvement, Lean/Six Sigma practices, standardization, and problem-solving throughout Engineering and Manufacturing.

Technology Development

• Develop and maintain an engineering technology roadmap aligned with Microboard's strategic objectives, customer requirements, and industry trends.
• Assess internal capabilities against current and future market and customer requirements and recommend investments in equipment, technology, software, and technical resources.
• Evaluate emerging and disruptive technologies and identify opportunities, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Lead or support the selection, implementation, validation, and integration of new manufacturing technologies and equipment.
• Maintain strong technical knowledge of PCBA manufacturing, SMT, high-level assembly, box build, test, and related manufacturing processes.

Sales & Customer Support

• Serve as a technical resource to customers and prospects, working directly with customer engineering teams to evaluate designs, manufacturing requirements, and process improvements.
• Partner with Business Development and Program Management on new opportunities, customer selection, and portfolio management.
• Provide engineering input to quotations, including technology fit, DFM/DFT analysis, process requirements, tooling, equipment, and technical risks.
• Evaluate customer designs and requirements against Microboard's capabilities and identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, quality, reliability, and cost.

New Product Introduction

• Direct Engineering's participation in the NPI process from quotation through production launch, ensuring effective transition of new products into manufacturing.
• Establish and maintain robust DFM/DFT processes that support accurate quoting, manufacturability, quality, reliability, and cost objectives.
• Oversee manufacturing process development, documentation, tooling, programming, and technical requirements for new products.
• Ensure engineering support for quick-turn and complex product introductions.
• Direct engineering support for component management, including regulatory requirements, declarations, obsolescence, and product lifecycle considerations.
• Ensure Document Control provides accurate, timely, and controlled documentation for internal and customer requirements.

Operations Support

• Provide engineering leadership and technical support to Manufacturing, Quality, and Process/Manufacturing Engineering teams in resolving complex production issues.
• Lead defect review, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and process improvements for recurring or significant manufacturing issues.
• Support validation planning and execution for processes, equipment, and manufacturing changes.
• Provide technical direction for SMT, selective and wave solder, reflow, inspection, X-ray, test, rework, and other manufacturing processes.
• Ensure engineering standards and processes comply with applicable customer, regulatory, quality, and industry requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related technical discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 10+ years of experience in electronic manufacturing/EMS, including at least 5 years supporting new product introduction.
• Significant experience leading engineering teams in an SMT/PCBA manufacturing environment.
• Extensive knowledge of PCBA processes, high-level assemblies, box build, and electronics manufacturing technologies.
• Experience in a regulated industry such as aerospace, defense, medical device, or similar.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change, process improvement, and Lean/Six Sigma initiatives; Black Belt certification preferred.
• Strong project management, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Customer-facing experience with the ability to effectively communicate technical information to customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Working knowledge of PCB design and CAD tools such as Valor, Cadence, CAM350, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent.
• Strong understanding of SMT equipment and processes, including printing, SPI, pick-and-place, reflow, AOI, X-ray, selective solder, and wave solder.
• Experience with DFM/DFT, stencil design, reflow profiling, defect analysis, root cause analysis, and rework processes.
• Working knowledge of IPC and J-STD requirements; Class 1-3 IPC training preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding of business finance and the financial impact of engineering decisions.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels, customers, suppliers, and executive leadership.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, engineering drawings, specifications, procedures, and customer requirements.

MATHEMATICAL & REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to apply mathematical concepts and analyze technical and business data.
• Ability to analyze complex problems, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and implement practical solutions.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions in situations involving multiple variables and competing priorities
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment is a clean, quiet and well-lit work space.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (P.P.E): Specific items of clothing and/or equipment may be required to perform certain functions and operations as required by Microboard or OSHA policy.