Full Time Reg
Grand Rapids, MI, US
About Acron Aviation (Avionics - Recorders):
Acron Aviation designs, engineers, and manufactures certified avionics systems that support safety-critical flight operations across commercial and military aviation. Within Avionics, the Recorders product line develops and sustains cockpit voice recorders, flight data recorders, and integrated data acquisition systems that enable regulatory compliance, safety insight, and operational performance across global fleets. These systems are deployed across commercial, military, and rotorcraft platforms and require deep expertise across systems, hardware, software, and lifecycle sustainment in highly regulated environments.
Position Summary
At Acron, our ambition is to relentlessly reimagine and reshape the value chains through which we deliver results to our customers, suppliers, and stakeholder communities-all in pursuit of innovations that create safer skies. Across the Avionics Business Unit, our employees strive to achieve world-class results by putting customers first, displaying ownership of outcomes, moving fast, and speaking candidly.
This role is focused on driving Zero Defects in the middle of the manufacturing process, where design intent meets production reality. The Operations Engineer owns Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY) performance and uses RTY and defect data to frame, prioritize, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. These efforts are aimed at eliminating systemic defect drivers, stabilizing manufacturing and test processes, and structurally removing cost from both product and process, rather than relying on inspection, rework, or short-term containment.
This position requires practical experience in Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) design to diagnose manufacturing defects arising from marginal design decisions, component selection, layout sensitivities, or testability limitations. Operating in a complex, regulated avionics manufacturing environment, the role partners closely with Manufacturing, Test, and Operations, and collaborates with Quality, which owns supplier- and customer-facing quality. The Operations Engineer leads defect resolution within the factory, ensures corrective actions are permanent and prevention-based, and applies design-informed manufacturing insight to strengthen process robustness and execution.
Key Responsibilities
Rolled Throughput Yield Ownership & Analytics
Own Rolled Throughput Yield (RTY), including analysis by process step, failure mechanism, and product variant
Identify leading indicators of RTY degradation (repeat defects, rework loops, test fallout) and take action before yield loss escalates
Develop RTY loss trees and defect pareto to focus improvement activity on the highest-impact opportunities
Defect Resolution
Lead structured defect resolution for manufacturing, integration, calibration, and test-induced failures
Drive cross-functional root cause analysis and corrective actions in collaboration with Manufacturing, Test Engineering, Design Engineering, Operations, and Quality
Partner with Quality Engineering to provide deep manufacturing and CCA-specific technical insight to investigations
Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering and Test Engineering to address CCA-related defect drivers through improved process controls, screening strategies, test conditions, or work instructions
Apply CCA-level design knowledge (schematics, layouts, component behavior, and manufacturing interfaces) to identify root causes related to soldering, component sensitivity, layout robustness, thermal effects, and test access
Continuous Improvement & Cost Takeout
Use RTY and defect data to frame continuous improvement projects that eliminate waste, rework, and non-value-added process steps
Support error-proofing, process capability improvements, and removal of unnecessary inspection or repair loops
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Manufacturing, Electrical/Computer, Mechanical, Systems, or related); Electrical Engineering preferred
Minimum 3-5 years of experience in manufacturing, operations engineering, production engineering, or sustaining engineering
Demonstrated experience improving yield (RTY/FPY) and resolving systemic defects in a complex manufacturing environment
Hands-on experience with Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) at the design-manufacturing interface, including electronics troubleshooting, sustaining engineering, and manufacturing support
Working knowledge of Design for Excellence (DFX), including Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost (DFC)
Ability to interpret schematics, layouts, and component behavior to assess impact on manufacturability, testability, and RTY
Strong structured problem-solving capability (A3, 5-Why, Fishbone, PDCA)
Experience partnering with Quality, Manufacturing, and Test in a regulated environment (aerospace, defense, medical, automotive, or similar)
Preferred Additional Skills
Experience with avionics, flight recorders, electronics, or electro-mechanical assemblies
Prior involvement with high-reliability CCA manufacturing (IPC Class 3, AS9100 environments)
Familiarity with CCA defect mechanisms such as solder joint reliability, thermal stress, component derating, layout-induced sensitivity, and test-induced failures
Exposure to Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, or formal operating systems
Equal Opportunity Statement
Acron Aviation is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to treating all employees and applicants with respect and dignity and to maintaining a workplace free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Additional Information:
Acron Aviation maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where allowed by law. Acron Aviation is an E-Verify employer.
