Technical Project Engineer
- Drone R&D
Role Summary
The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the end-to-end transition of avionics electronic boards from completed R&D designs into serial production. Acting as the single coordination point between R&D, Procurement, Planning, Production, and Quality, this role will own the overall schedule, stage-gate decisions, and project risks.
Key Responsibilities
- Define the R&D-to-Production Design Transfer package, manage the G0 transfer checklist, and prevent the process from starting with incomplete technical data
- Establish a board-level, stage-gated NPI (New Product Introduction) plan (G0→G6); manage the master schedule, critical path, and milestones using Asana, MS Project, Jira, or similar project management tools
- Organize DFM (Design for Manufacturability), DFA (Design for Assembly), and DFT (Design for Testability) reviews and ensure that resulting actions are closed in coordination with R&D
- Develop production schedules based on long-lead-time (LTB/allocation) materials and make material-related risks visible at an early stage
- Manage supplier/EMS coordination, including supplier selection criteria, audit planning, technical meetings, and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR)
- Manage the ECO/ECN and configuration management processes and ensure that the as-designed and as-built configurations of every board are properly recorded and controlled
- Facilitate risk register and PFMEA activities and track risk mitigation actions
- Coordinate the timely completion of the AS9102 FAI process within the AS9100 / AQAP framework
- Track unit cost targets and manage the variance between the G1 cost estimate and the actual G5 production cost
- Lead weekly NPI and material review meetings and provide management with a concise one-page project status report
- Ensure that export control requirements (ITAR/EAR/dual-use) and confidentiality requirements are properly considered throughout the project lifecycle
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Electronics Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline
- Minimum 5 years of experience in an organization involved in electronic/PCBA manufacturing, including at least 2 years in a project management, NPI, or manufacturing engineering role
- Practical knowledge of SMD component management and SMT assembly processes, including:
- Reel/lot traceability
- MSL management
- SMT production line flow
- Ability to interpret AOI/X-ray inspection results
- Ability to read and interpret technical data, including schematics, assembly drawings, BOMs, Gerber/ODB++, and pick-and-place files
- Familiarity with IPC-A-610 and J-STD-001 acceptance criteria, including a clear understanding of the distinction between Class 2 and Class 3
- Proficiency with project management tools such as Asana, MS Project, Primavera, or Jira, together with a solid understanding of ERP/MRP principles
- Good command of technical English
- For male candidates, completion of mandatory military service, as required by applicable legislation, to ensure project continuity
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in the aerospace/defense industry; experience with AS9100 / EN9100 or AQAP-2110 audits
- Practical experience with AS9102 FAI and AS9145/APQP-PPAP
- Knowledge of how DO-254 and DO-160 requirements translate into manufacturing and production processes
- Experience with counterfeit parts prevention (AS5553) and obsolescence/DMSMS management
- PMP / PRINCE2 / IPMA certification and/or Six Sigma Green Belt or higher
- Experience in EMS/contract manufacturer management and conducting technical/second-party supplier audits