Through-Hole Lead (Second Shift)

Through-Hole Lead

About the Role

As a Through-Hole Lead at Rocket EMS , you will provide hands-on leadership to the through-hole assembly team, coordinating daily work assignments, supporting production schedules, and ensuring assemblies meet IPC-A-610 Class 2 and 3 workmanship standards. You’ll train operators, troubleshoot assembly and soldering issues, and work closely with engineering, quality, and production leadership to maintain consistent quality and efficient workflow. This role requires strong technical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to guide a team in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate daily through-hole production activities, assigning work based on production priorities, employee qualifications, and available resources.

• Review MPIs, assembly drawings, ECOs, BOMs, and customer requirements; ensure operators use current, approved build documentation.

• Lead and support component preparation, hand insertion, hand soldering, wave soldering, and selective soldering operations.

• Verify component identification, polarity, orientation, placement, and workmanship throughout the assembly process.

• Confirm equipment setups and process settings follow approved instructions; coordinate first-article verification and required approvals before production proceeds.

• Monitor work in process, output, and schedule progress; communicate material shortages, equipment problems, staffing needs, and production delays to the Supervisor.

• Provide hands-on troubleshooting for assembly and soldering defects; contain affected work and escalate recurring or unresolved issues to Engineering, Quality, or the Supervisor.

• Perform and support authorized rework and solder touch-up in accordance with approved procedures.

• Train and coach operators on assembly methods, soldering techniques, equipment operation, workmanship requirements, and safe handling practices.

• Verify completion of production records, traceability requirements, first-article documentation, and in-process inspection forms.

• Communicate clear shift pass-downs covering job status, priorities, quality concerns, and unresolved issues.

• Reinforce safety, ESD, applicable MSD handling, housekeeping, and 5S requirements.

• Work with Engineering and Quality to identify defect trends and improve processes, reducing rework and production interruptions.

• Support other assembly or rework areas as directed by the Supervisor, Engineer, or Manager.

Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience in through-hole assembly and soldering in a contract manufacturing or electronics production environment.

• Previous experience as a production lead, trainer, or senior operator with responsibility for guiding other employees preferred.

• Hands-on experience with hand soldering and selective and/or wave soldering equipment.

• IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification preferred.

Skills

• Strong soldering and defect troubleshooting skills for both leaded and lead-free assemblies.

• Ability to read and interpret MPIs, assembly drawings, schematics, BOMs, and customer requirements.

• Understanding of component identification, polarity, orientation, and color codes.

• Working knowledge of IPC-A-610 Class 2 and 3 workmanship requirements.

• Ability to organize workloads, communicate priorities, and guide operators to meet quality and production goals.

• Effective training, coaching, and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to consistent workmanship.

• Basic computer literacy, including Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and production tracking systems.

• Clear verbal and written communication skills in English.

Benefits

• 401(k) with company match

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Opportunities for advancement in a growing, technology-driven manufacturing environment

Schedule

• 8-hour shift, Monday–Friday

• Overtime and weekends as needed

Pay Range

$24—$28 USD

ITAR/EAR Compliance: Due to the nature of the work performed at Rocket EMS, this position may require access to export-controlled technical data or technology. The successful candidate must be eligible to access such information under applicable U.S. export-control laws or be eligible for any required government authorization.

Rocket EMS will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the California Fair Chance Act. Candidates are not required to disclose criminal history or participate in a background check unless and until a conditional offer of employment has been made. Any final offer of employment may be conditioned on completion of a background check, consistent with applicable law.
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