Manufacturing Lead
Propeller
Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posted on May 28, 2025
Propeller is on a mission to take the guesswork out of moving dirt - reducing wasted fuel, time, and money. We do this through the power of maps.
Our customers use Propeller’s integrated hardware and software products to capture accurate 3D versions of their worksites. With over 50,000 worksites worldwide using Propeller’s smart survey technology, we empower project teams to map, measure, and manage site activity.
Propeller empowers everyone to approach, own, and solve problems creatively. We’re data nerds who care about impact, honesty, and each other. We take pride in being a great place to work. We are proud to be recipients of BI Group's Excellence in Customer Experience award and Inspiring Workplaces of Australasia, being recognized as a Fast Company and BuiltIn Best Place to Work. You can learn more about us on Glassdoor.
- Department
- Hardware
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Location
- Sydney
- Workplace type
- Hybrid
- Reporting To
- Hamish Hawthorn
Your Mission
As a Manufacturing Engineering Lead at Propeller, you will play a crucial role in taking a leadership position on manufacturing issues, particularly those of an electrical nature. You'll be the primary point of contact for the production and manufacturing of our AeroPoints and DirtMate products.
You will be instrumental in building and maintaining strong relationships with our contract manufacturers, proactively identifying potential issues in hardware product design, and ensuring seamless integration into production runs. You'll work closely with our in-house software and hardware engineers to create an effective feedback loop, ensuring that we can meet required production volumes, whilst also continuously improving our products used by our customers in the field.
This role also includes leadership responsibilities, with engineers of varying backgrounds and skill levels reporting to you. This role will require an individual who is able to be in our Surry Hills office 4 days a week on average.
Your Responsibilities
Your Responsibilities
- Work collaboratively with the Propeller R&D team to translate prototype hardware products into manufacturing - pre-production, pilot, and mass production.
- Together with the Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll manage relationships with contract manufacturers, fostering proactive communication and ensuring commercial alignment.
- Identify and address issues in product design, manufacturing, and assembly processes early in the process.
- Oversee project management, including mechanical and electronics manufacture and assembly troubleshooting , and QA/failure analysis.
- Read and interpret Gerber files to ensure accurate component placement.
- Manage Engineering Change processes, Bill of Materials accuracy, and part number management.
- Collaborate with the in-house engineering team to address design issues and revisions.
- Working in collaboration with the Senior Manufacturing Engineer, seek opportunities to optimise manufacturing processes and refine materials to improve gross margins.
- Travel to SEA approximately once every 3 - 6 months to enhance relationships with contract manufacturers and oversee production batches as required.
Your Skills
- 10+ years of experience in a related role with prior working experience with electronics contract manufacturers - SMT and Box Build.
- A relevant bachelors degree in Engineering (mechatronic, manufacturing, industrial, electronics)
- Strong project management skills, including experience managing remote teams.
- Experience manufacturing electronic products in a globally regulated market.
- Experience with manufacturing products used in harsh outdoor environments, particularly construction sites.
- Strategy and forecasting skills for manufacturing.
- An analytical mindset with the ability to use data to inform decisions on ambiguous situations. You have a natural bias towards action and focus on delivering tangible results to customers.
- Familiarity with CAD and mechanical design would be beneficial.
Bonus Points For:
- Experience with Design for Manufacturing Principles
- Experience with electrical product certification (CE, FCC, EMC, RCM - Electromagnetic and RF certifications etc)
- Exposure with root cause analysis techniques to troubleshoot production issues.
Benefits
- Employee share options
- Professional development budget and leave
- The opportunity to take part in our mentorship program
- Mental health resources
- Monthly telephone and/or internet allowance
- Paid primary & secondary parental leave policies
- Hybrid work arrangements and WFH equipment provided
About Propeller
Propeller is for everyone, so come as you are. We value all types of experience, skill, and ability. If you don’t think you meet all the requirements, but still think this role would be a good fit, we’d love to hear from you.
Diversity makes our team more creative, fun, and effective, so bring your whole self to the application process, and we will too!
If you’re interested in what life at Propeller is like, check out our employee-owned Medium blog page!
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