Lead Production Engineer Cypress, California, United States

Lead Production Engineer At Senra Systems, we believe the future of manufacturing lies not in automation but in configuration. We supercharge electrical wire harness manufacturing through software configuration, transforming skilled assembly tasks into high‑throughput production lines. We enable customers to design what they want, when they want it, and deliver harness builds at record‑breaking speed. We’re building a dedicated Production Engineering function from the ground up, and we need a leader to own it. The Lead Production Engineer will define day‑to‑day operations, hire and develop a team of Production Engineers, and act as the bridge between Production and Manufacturing Engineering. It’s a player‑coach role—carry your own technical workload while growing the people around you. What you’ll own Hire, onboard, and develop a team of Production Engineers; set clear performance expectations and build a high‑accountability team culture Hold regular 1:1s with your team; understand their development goals and actively create growth opportunities Define escalation paths clearly—what PEs handle, what comes to you, and what goes to ME or Quality Floor Technical Authority Serve as the senior technical escalation point for complex production issues, difficult NCR dispositions, and critical first‑article reviews Maintain a hands‑on presence; this role leads from the floor, not from a desk Own first‑article sign‑off for the PE team; review and approve PE‑initiated dispositions before release Own the working relationship between Production Engineering and the ME organization; represent production needs in engineering planning conversations Ensure documentation issues (redlines, work‑instruction gaps, form‑board errors) are tracked, communicated, and resolved with the ME team within defined SLAs Provide structured feedback to ME leads on recurring documentation or DFM issues surfaced during production NCR Performance & Quality Own PE team NCR disposition SLA performance; track aging and report weekly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager Drive root cause and corrective action on repeat non‑conformances; close the loop with production and quality Partner with Quality on workmanship trends, inspection holds, and systemic issues requiring cross‑functional action Kitting & Material Flow Oversight Oversee kit verification processes and ensure the PE team is catching discrepancies before they reach the floor Identify systemic kitting gaps and/escalate to ME and supply chain with data‑backed recommendations Metrics & Reporting Track and report PE team performance weekly: NCR disposition SLA, first‑article cycle time, open issue aging Provide commentary on trends, risks, and improvement actions—not just raw numbers Process Development Define and document how Production Engineering operates at Senra—standard workflows, escalation paths, and hand‑off protocols with ME—particularly as Factory Two scales up Identify and lead targeted process improvement initiatives that reduce rework, floor disruptions, or NCR volume Qualifications 5+ years in wire harness or cable assembly manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a senior, lead, or manager‑level role Deep knowledge of wire harness assembly processes: wire prep, crimping, soldering, backshell assembly, harness routing, and electrical testing Strong working knowledge of IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 workmanship standards; CIS or CIT certification preferred Experience managing or mentoring engineers or technicians with measurable results Ability to read and interpret complex wiring diagrams, schematics, assembly drawings, and specifications Strong verbal communicator—comfortable working with technicians, supervisors, and cross‑functional engineers in the same conversation Must be a U.S. Person (U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident) Preferred Qualifications Experience in an aerospace or defense contract manufacturing environment Familiarity with NASA 8739.4 and IPC/WHMA‑A‑620 space addendum workmanship requirements Experience with MIL‑spec connectors and contacts across multiple connector families Experience supporting facility scale‑up, production line bring‑up, or new product introduction in a high‑mix environment Familiarity with ERP or MES systems in a manufacturing environment Success in This Role Looks Like Within 6–12 months, you will have hired and onboarded a functioning PE team with clear roles, expectations, and escalation paths in place Established and maintained NCR disposition SLA compliance across the PE team, with visible reduction in NCR aging Defined the PE–ME handoff workflow—documentation feedback is structured, tracked, and actioned on a regular cadence Delivered weekly metrics to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager with meaningful commentary, not just data Built a floor culture where technicians trust the PE team and quality issues are caught early rather than escaping to inspection Compensation Salary range: $115,000 – $155,000, based on experience and qualifications Onsite role at our factory in Cypress, CA Equity participation opportunity Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and long‑term disability coverage Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Spending Account (DSA) for health‑related expenses 20 vacation days per year and 12 company holidays 401(k) plan with company contributions Paid perks: $50/month DoorDash credit, up to $100/month gym membership reimbursement, fully stocked kitchen, occasional team‑building events Bright, open office with communal spaces, free parking, and convenient location near metro, major freeways, and local dining spots Equal Employment Opportunity We are an equal‑opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Applicants must meet U.S. Government export regulations: to apply, you must be a U.S. Citizen or lawful permanent resident, or otherwise have the required authorizations to comply with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). If you do not meet these requirements, we are unable to proceed with your application. #J-18808-Ljbffr Senra Systems, Inc.