Principal Manufacturing Technician

CesiumAstro•Westminster, CO

20h

About The Position

CesiumAstro develops communication systems for satellites, UAVs, launch vehicles, and other space and airborne platforms. Its Skylark product line designs, builds, and tests active phased array antennas for terrestrial and airborne applications, including ground terminals and connectivity solutions for commercial aircraft and helicopters. The Principal Manufacturing Technician performs advanced assembly, integration, inspection, and testing for complex products and assemblies. The position contributes to manufacturing operations by resolving challenging production issues, optimizing processes, mentoring manufacturing personnel, and ensuring products meet engineering, manufacturing, quality, and production requirements. The technician works cross-functionally with manufacturing, engineering, quality, production control, and supply chain teams throughout the production lifecycle.

Requirements

Associate degree, technical certification, formal occupational training, military training, or equivalent hands-on experience in manufacturing technology, industrial technology, electronics technology, mechanical technology, or a related technical field.
At least 7 years of related experience in manufacturing, production assembly, mechanical assembly, electronics assembly, or related production operations.
Expert knowledge of manufacturing processes, mechanical assembly, electrical assembly, engineering drawings, and production practices.
Extensive experience with advanced assembly techniques, manufacturing equipment, tooling, inspection methods, and process optimization.
Comprehensive understanding of quality systems, manufacturing documentation, lean manufacturing principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Proven ability to lead complex manufacturing operations while balancing quality, productivity, production schedules, cost, and operational efficiency.
Sound judgment in resolving complex production challenges and providing technical leadership to manufacturing teams.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and Teams.
Familiarity with manufacturing equipment, test equipment, and production systems used for assembly and manufacturing operations.
Experience with manufacturing execution systems (MES), ERP systems, and electronic work instruction applications such as Epicor, SAP, Solumina, or equivalent applications.
Must meet U.S. Government Space Technology Export Regulations eligibility requirements: be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, or refugee, or be eligible to obtain required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Responsibilities

Perform advanced assembly, integration, and testing of complex mechanical and electrical products using engineering drawings, work instructions, and manufacturing procedures.
Optimize assembly methods, tooling, production workflows, and work instructions for complex products.
Resolve complex manufacturing, assembly, tooling, and production issues to maintain product quality, efficiency, and production capability.
Perform advanced visual, dimensional, and functional inspections using precision measuring equipment and inspection tools.
Validate first article inspections, complex in-process inspections, and completed products against engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements.
Review production documentation, inspection records, nonconformances, and corrective actions to support manufacturing quality and product traceability.
Provide technical guidance to Manufacturing Technicians and production teams on assembly methods, tooling, procedures, inspection techniques, and production practices.
Support new product introductions, process improvements, engineering investigations, equipment qualifications, and production readiness activities.
Mentor manufacturing personnel and promote consistent practices, quality standards, and continuous improvement.
Oversee manufacturing procedures, safety requirements, quality standards, and company policies throughout production operations.
Evaluate manufacturing methods, tooling, workflows, and production processes to identify improvement opportunities.
Lead initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, manufacturing efficiency, and operational performance.