Program Manager

Program Manager – PCB Assembly & Wire Harness

Location - Huntsville-Decatur-Albertville Area

Position Summary

The Program Manager will lead quoting, order execution, production coordination, and customer technical support for PCB assembly and wire harness operations. The ideal candidate combines electrical engineering knowledge with hands-on manufacturing experience and can interpret electrical schematics, assembly drawings, BOMs, Gerbers, and manufacturing data. Experience with ISO 9001 and defense-related requirements is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate and competitive quotes and RFQ responses , including BOM costing, labor, tooling/setup, freight, overhead, and lead-time estimates.
• Review customer drawings, electrical schematics, Gerbers, pick-and-place files, BOMs, and assembly instructions to define manufacturing requirements and identify potential issues.
• Serve as the primary technical contact for customers regarding build methods, materials, connectors, wire routing, harness assemblies, testing, and manufacturability.
• Create and maintain job travelers, work instructions, and production documentation for PCBA and wire harness builds.
• Coordinate production schedules, material procurement, and shop-floor resources to meet delivery commitments and optimize cost and throughput.
• Work with suppliers on pricing, lead times, component sourcing, and supply issues.
• Oversee inspection and testing, including ICT, functional testing, continuity checks, and harness verification .
• Support ISO 9001 processes, including NCRs, CAPA, document control, and internal audits .
• Ensure applicable DFARS/ITAR and defense contract requirements are addressed on defense-related projects.
• Identify process improvements and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide leadership with regular updates on project status, costs, schedules, and delivery milestones.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; Electrical Engineering preferred , or equivalent technical/engineering experience.
• 5+ years of experience in PCB assembly and wire harness manufacturing, quoting, and shop-floor coordination.
• Strong ability to interpret electrical schematics, PCB assembly data, BOMs, connector pinouts, and harness drawings .
• Proven experience preparing PCBA and wire harness quotes/RFQs, including cost breakdowns and lead-time estimates.
• Strong knowledge of SMT, through-hole soldering, wave soldering, cable crimping, solderless terminals, hand assembly, harness routing, and strain relief .
• Familiarity with ICT, functional testing, continuity testing, and cable/harness verification .
• Practical experience in an ISO 9001 environment, including NCRs, CAPA, quality documentation, and audits.
• Strong technical communication, organization, attention to detail, and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects within a small-team manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office .

Preferred Qualifications

• Defense/aerospace manufacturing experience or experience supporting defense prime contractors.
• Knowledge of DFARS, ITAR, and defense contract flow-down requirements .
• Hands-on production-floor experience with soldering, rework, and harness assembly.
• Familiarity with pick-and-place files, Gerber viewers, and PCB quoting tools.
• Experience working in a small-company or startup manufacturing environment requiring cross-functional flexibility.