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  • English

Manufacturing Engineer (Contractor)

Sourcing and Purchase Orders, PCBA Vendor Support, and Component Lifecycle Monitoring

1 Year Contract (Part Time, Remote)

Background

FieldKit is an open-source software and hardware sensor platform that optimizes data collection and sharing from the field. The product aims to be low cost and easy to use, and to bridge the gap between hard science and storytelling by facilitating data storytelling through engaging visualizations and built-in connections to social media. The first of its kind in the conservation space, it has the potential to revolutionize conservation technology.

Overview

As the FieldKit hardware ecosystem grows, FieldKit seeks a contract Manufacturing Engineer with experience in foreign and domestic small-batch PCB assembly and supply chain management for an ongoing engagement to strengthen FieldKit’s manufacturing operations. The Manufacturing Engineer will consult with FieldKit’s Hardware Designer, Production Manager, and operations and fulfillment team to understand FieldKit’s overall manufacturing plan, and produce deliverables that drive sourcing and purchasing of electronic components, collaborate with assembly sub-contractors for printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, monitor component life cycles, and identify alternative components when components become obsolete or go out of production.

Tasks
General
  • Understand FieldKit’s overall manufacturing plan and each PCBA assembly scope
  • Attend kick off and milestone meetings
  • Provide regular manufacturing engineering project status reports
Sourcing and Creating Purchase Orders for Electronic Components
  • Identify, evaluate and track suppliers for various electronic components in the supplier relationship/inventory management system, ensuring compatibility with design requirements, quality standards, and cost objectives
  • Negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms with suppliers, securing the best possible conditions for the company
  • Make and manage purchase orders, ensuring that all orders are placed in a timely manner to meet production schedules (FieldKit’s operations and fulfilment team to execute payments)
  • Maintain accurate records of all components purchased, including quantities, costs, and suppliers in the inventory management system
Collaboration with PCBA Assembly Subcontractors
  • Work with the FieldKit team and PCBA assembly subcontractors to support the assembly of PCBs according to design specifications and production timelines
  • Communicate any changes in component availability or specifications to the FieldKit team and assembly partners, ensuring adjustments are made to meet production schedules
  • Support FieldKit’s operations and fulfilment team to ensure successful shipping, tracking and receiving of correct components to/from PCB assembly subcontractors or FieldKit warehouse, as appropriate
  • Conduct quality control inspections as needed to ensure the final product meets quality requirements
Component Life Cycle Monitoring
  • Continuously monitor the life cycle of all electronic components used in the products, including obsolescence, discontinuation, or changes in production in the inventory management system
  • Proactively alert the Hardware Designer and Production Manager to components that are approaching end-of-life (EOL) and what scale of change or redesign may be necessary
Identification of Alternative Components
  • As directed by the Hardware Designer, research and identify suitable alternative components when current components are discontinued, obsolete, or facing supply chain disruptions
  • Coordinate the testing and validation of alternative components to ensure they meet product specifications and performance requirements
  • If directed, update PCB designs, and bills of materials (BOMs) to reflect any changes in component sourcing
Deliverables
Time-driven
  • [Daily/Weekly/Monthly TBD by workload] Manufacturing engineering project status reports (plan, progress, blockers, risks)
  • [Quarterly] Component lifecycle, EOL status reports
Event-driven:
  • Component research reports and recommendations
  • Purchase orders (for FieldKit to execute payment)
  • Supplier relationship management system updates
  • Inventory management system updates
  • PCBA vendor support updates (component availability or specifications)
  • Quality control inspection reports
  • PCB design updates
  • Bill of materials (BOM) updates
  • EOL alerts
Details
  • Part time, remote (estimate: 4 to 16 hours per week TBD by workload)
  • 1099 contract role
  • Contract under the direction of FieldKit’s Hardware Designer
  • Contract to start immediately
Contractor Requirements
  • Experience with foreign and domestic small-batch PCB assembly
  • Experience with supply chain management
  • Comfortable with EDA tools and production files
  • Methodical and detail oriented
  • Ability to work independently, and an openness to variety and trying new things
Preferred Experience
  • KiCad
  • Git
  • Jira
  • Monday.com
  • Inventory management software
  • Automation experience

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@fieldkit.org.