Senior DFM Electrical Engineer
Location: Santa Ana, CA Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Join a High-Performance Engineering Team
We are seeking an experienced Senior Design for Manufacturability (DFM) Electrical Engineer to lead electrical DFM initiatives across a portfolio of advanced electronic products. This is a critical role responsible for ensuring PCB designs are optimized for manufacturability, quality, reliability, and cost before production.
If you enjoy collaborating with design engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams while solving complex engineering challenges, we'd like to hear from you.
What You'll Do
Lead Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews for new and existing printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs)
Drive board-level product obsolescence initiatives by identifying high-risk components and developing redesign strategies
Partner with electrical design engineers to review schematics, PCB layouts, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
Develop and maintain DFM standards and best practices
Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain, and EMS partners to improve manufacturability and production efficiency
Evaluate component lifecycle risks and implement long-term sustainability solutions
Validate PCB designs for fabrication (DFF) and assembly (DFA), including solderability, spacing, and accessibility
Review production documentation including Gerber files, fabrication drawings, and test procedures
Support supplier and contract manufacturing partners to ensure designs align with manufacturing capabilities
Identify cost reduction opportunities while improving product quality and manufacturing yield
Provide technical leadership and mentor engineering teams on DFM methodology and best practices
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
8+ years of experience in PCB design, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), or electronic product development
Experience within aerospace, defense, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments
Strong experience performing DFM and DFA reviews
Ability to improve electrical designs for manufacturability, quality, and cost
Experience using PCB design tools such as Altium Designer, OrCAD, or Mentor Graphics
Strong understanding of component lifecycle management and obsolescence mitigation
Knowledge of IPC standards including IPC-A-600, IPC-610, and MIL-STD design guidelines
Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills
Proven ability to manage multiple engineering projects simultaneously
Preferred Qualifications
Master's Degree in Electrical or Electronics Engineering
Experience working with EMS/CEM manufacturing partners
Familiarity with PLM and ERP systems
Experience with AS9100 quality systems
Knowledge of ITAR/EAR compliance requirements
Experience designing for automated testing and inspection (DFT, AOI, ICT)
Why You'll Love This Opportunity
Work on advanced electronic products in a collaborative engineering environment
Play a key role in improving product quality and manufacturing efficiency
Partner with experienced engineers and manufacturing professionals
Influence product design from concept through production
Opportunity to lead technical initiatives and mentor engineering teams