Through-Hole Lead (Second Shift)

About the Role

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.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in through-hole assembly and soldering in a contract manufacturing or electronics production environment.
• Hands-on experience with hand soldering and selective and/or wave soldering equipment.
• 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.

Experience

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a production lead, trainer, or senior operator with responsibility for guiding other employees preferred.
• IPC-A-610 and/or J-STD-001 certification preferred.