Production Technician II - Lead

Production Technician II - Lead

Job Summary:
A Production Technician II – Lead will support and guide manufacturing operations by coordinating team activities, ensuring production efficiency, assembling components, and upholding quality and safety standards. This is a working lead position, combining hands-on production responsibilities with team leadership and oversight. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong technical skills, leadership capability, and the ability to drive team performance in a fast-paced environment. 

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Lead a team Production Technicians, providing daily hands-on support to develop and mentor team members. 

• Ensure the team has necessary raw materials, tools, consumables, and equipment to meet daily deliverables. 

• Monitor and report on quality metrics to support continuous improvement and adherence to standards. 

• Verify technician timecards for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with organizational requirements; review and approve timecards in Paychex and NetSuite. 

• Track training and skill development within the team to maintain required levels of skillset redundancy across assemblies. 

• Identify, resolve, and escalate roadblocks or production issues, acting as a liaison between the Production Technicians and the Production Supervisor. 

• Drive improvements in production efficiency by monitoring labor hours charged to assemblies relative to output. 

• Remain actively involved in personal production work alongside the team. 

• Support the manufacturing team with the fabrication of composite parts and/or electromechanical assemblies. 

• Follow written work instructions to assemble and document the build of each assembly. 

• Escalate any process or quality issues to appropriate stakeholders. 

• Offer suggestions to improve safety, quality, on-time delivery, and productivity. 

• Build and set up test equipment. 

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• 2+ years of relevant experience in a manufacturing environment. 

• Quick learner, hard-working, with skilled hands and strong attention to detail. 

• Technical hands-on capability, including but not limited to wiring, soldering, parts fabrication, assembly, and general shop maintenance. 

• Demonstrated ability to lead or mentor peers in a production setting. 

• Excellent collaboration and communication skills; able to remain calm and professional in a fast-paced environment. 

• Proficiency with basic hand tools and their safe operation. 

• Ability to verbally communicate, read and comprehend work instructions, and perform basic mathematical calculations. 

• Strong work ethic, reliability, and consistent attendance. 

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

• Valid driver’s license. 

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. 

• Willingness to work overtime as required. 

• Able to work onsite at ESAero office locations and relocate to San Luis Obispo, CA. 

Desired Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in composite fabrication. 

• Experience assembling and/or testing complex electromechanical assemblies. 

• Experience with parts and inventory management. 

• SLO Partners UAV Completion Certificate. 

Comprehensive Benefits & Perks:

• Health & Wellness: Choose from three health, dental, and vision plans - including a 100% employer-paid option covering both employees and their families. 

• Paid Time Off: Enjoy 120 hours of PTO, 80 hours accrued plus an additional 40 hours of holiday break pay in addition to Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day off. 

• Life Insurance: $25,000 employer-paid life insurance policy, with the option to purchase additional coverage for employees and their families. 

• Supplemental Coverage: Access optional benefits such as Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness with Skin Cancer coverage. 

• Health Savings Account (HSA): Take advantage of a tax-advantaged HSA to manage medical expenses. 

• Retirement Savings: 401(k) with a company match to support your financial future. 

• Paid Holidays: En