Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer Astrolab - 4.3 Hawthorne, CA Job Details Full-time $160,000 - $240,000 a year 8 hours ago Benefits Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Parental leave Vision insurance 401(k) matching Qualifications Manufacturing management Tooling Technical documentation Factory operations documentation Managing engineering teams Managing manufacturing teams Manufacturing company experience Full Job Description Description Astrolab is The Lunar Operations Company. We design and build the systems and hardware the lunar economy will come to depend on — rovers, power, and data networks for sustained operations on the Moon. We are focused on the problems that must be solved before the next chapter of human exploration can scale. The Moon does not forgive untested assumptions. The people who work here know that, and they wouldn't have it any other way. The Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer will build and manage a team of manufacturing engineers responsible for the end-to-end manufacturing of high-reliability avionics hardware, spanning wire harness build and test, PCBA production, electromechanical assembly, environmental testing, and systems integration. You will define how avionics hardware gets built at Astrolab, setting standards, shaping manufacturable designs, and building the processes and team to execute at production scale. What you'll do: Build and lead a team of avionics manufacturing engineers including hiring, setting technical direction, executing priorities, and fostering a culture of ownership, craftsmanship, and collaboration Own the full lifecycle of avionics manufacturing: process development, qualification, new product introduction, production ramp, and sustainment across harnessing, PCBA, and electromechanical assembly Partner with Responsible Engineers to drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFX) feedback, participate in design reviews, and shape designs for rate production Set team standards for manufacturing process development, validation, work instructions, and documentation in compliance with Astrolab quality processes and IPC workmanship standards Own production readiness, capacity planning, and delivery schedules for avionics hardware, coordinating with production, supply chain, and quality to meet vehicle integration milestones Root cause production failures and non-conformances, drive corrective actions to closure through the MRB process, and support vehicle-level failure investigations as needed What you'll bring: Basic Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) related field 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, or development of high-reliability electrical or electromechanical hardware Experience leading engineers and developing manufacturing processes for high-reliability electronics, including process qualification, tooling, and production documentation Preferred Qualifications Experience building, managing, and developing a team of manufacturing engineers Experience manufacturing avionics hardware for space applications, including wire harnessing, PCBA production, electromechanical assembly, or vehicle integration Experience with IPC workmanship standards such as J-STD-001, IPC-A-610, and IPC/WHMA-A-620, including space addenda Experience with new product introduction, production ramp, and capacity planning in a flight hardware production environment Experience with MES and PLM systems, mBOM management, and production data platforms Experience with nonconformance, MRB, corrective action or change management processes in a flight hardware production environment Benefits and Perks Join a team of best-in-class engineers building the foundation of planetary surface exploration Equity ownership in the company Comprehensive health benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health support 401(k) plan with company match Flexible PTO and parental leave Weekly lunch stipend, plus complimentary snacks and beverages on-site Once a month social hour on-site with food and drinks About Astrolab Having a strong, inclusive, and inspired team is essential to accomplishing our bold mission. Employees are our biggest asset, and we are deeply committed to them and our values. At Astrolab we… Demonstrate and inspire trust. Interactions are direct, honest, and respectful. We are fair and transparent with what we do and why. Thrive in balance. Balance gives us perspective and keeps us motivated and inspired. We commit to rewarding work and a fulfilling personal life. Seek diverse perspectives. We ask questions, engage in productive debate and offer alternatives to ensure our solutions and products are robust and a reflection of our collective best. Move with purpose. Quality and reliability are accomplished through efficient ideation and iteration. We act with a sense of urgency and deliver what we promise, always with the big picture in mind. Make an impact. We intentionally move our community and industry into the future through our work, practices, and actions.