Simera Sense is a leading provider of Earth observation camera solutions for the global small satellite market. Committed to excellence and innovation, we deliver superior products and services to our worldwide customer base. Our Head Office is based in Belgium, and our South African company is based in Somerset West, close to all amenities and diverse natural beauty, providing great lifestyle options. At Simera Sense , we’re advancing the future of space-based imaging through cutting‑edge electro‑optical payloads. We’re looking for a Lead Electronics Production Engineer to join our team in Somerset West. In this role, you’ll lead electronics production, drive testing and quality processes, and ensure the successful delivery of high‑performance systems. You’ll collaborate with cross‑functional teams to scale production and continuously improve processes. This is a great opportunity for a hands‑on engineer to contribute to impactful space technology. Job Purpose Ensure high‑quality, reliable, and efficient electronics manufacturing by leading day‑to‑day production activities, optimizing processes, resolving technical issues, and enabling the successful industrialization of products. Responsibilities Collaboration and Support Work closely with engineers, scientists, and other technicians to support various space missions and projects. Provide technical assistance and support during the development and testing phases of projects. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders. Production Leadership & Technical Oversight Provide day‑to‑day technical guidance, mentoring, and upskilling of production technicians, assemblers, and junior engineers. Evaluate team capability gaps and drive targeted training programmes (e.g., IPC certifications, practical diagnostics training). Foster a culture of safety, accountability, continuous improvement, and technical curiosity in the production team. Integration and Testing Ensure precise alignment and secure fastening of all electro‑optical components. Ensure all harnesses meet advanced technical specifications and quality standards. Ensure firmware and software is loaded to all electronic assemblies. Conduct system and component‑level testing using various test equipment, analytical tools and software. Test electro‑optical systems under various conditions to ensure they meet performance specifications. Oversee and execute thermal testing of electronics sub‑assemblies. Support Integration of electronic and optomechanical systems to form complete units. Troubleshoot and resolve any issues identified during testing. Process Ownership & Continuous Improvement Own and optimise end‑to‑end electronics manufacturing processes, including workflow design, task time analysis, yield improvement, and resource planning. Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturing instructions, and acceptance criteria. Quality Assurance & Compliance Ensure all laboratory activities meet the highest quality standards. Implement quality control measures throughout the testing and maintenance processes. Manage non‑conformances, deviations, waiver requests, and implement robust corrective/preventive actions (CAPA). Collaborate closely with the Quality team to maintain a stable, predictable, high‑quality production environment. Production Planning & Operational Execution Ensure production lines are fully prepared, including people, tools, fixtures, materials, and test equipment, for scheduled builds. Support capacity planning and forecasting, providing engineering input to ensure realistic production commitments. Oversee first article builds, ensure robust sign‑off, and validate readiness for scale‑up. Monitor daily production KPIs (yield, throughput, downtime, cycle time) and elevate risks or deviations proactively. Equipment Ownership & Maintenance Specify, commission, and maintain electronics manufacturing and test equipment. Ensure all equipment calibration, preventive maintenance, and uptime targets are met. Documentation & Data Management Ensure complete, accurate, and up‑to‑date production documentation, including build logs, work instructions and test results. Leverage digital manufacturing tools (MES, ERP, statistical dashboards) to improve traceability and decision‑making. Report production risks, trends, and improvement opportunities to Engineering Management and Operations Leadership. Safety, Compliance & Regulatory Considerations Enforce adherence to ESD control, safe handling of electronics, and all workplace health & safety protocols. Ensure production practices comply with South African regulatory requirements and export control frameworks (where relevant). Foster a culture of safety‑first thinking and proactive risk management. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree or Advanced Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering. Required Experience Over 5 years’ experience in manufacturing and production of electronics systems. Over 1 year’s experience in a supervisory role and a small team. Hands‑on experience with electronics manufacturing processes, including SMT, reflow, inspection, and final assembly. Strong troubleshooting capability for component failures, manufacturing defects, and test issues using structured root‑cause methods. Experience working within quality‑controlled environments aligned to IPC and ISO standards. Proven technical leadership, guiding technicians and coordinating with cross‑functional engineering teams. Familiarity with operating and maintaining production equipment and electronic test setups. Recommendations IPC certifications (IPC‑A‑610, IPC‑7711/21, J‑STD‑001) at Specialist or Trainer level. Experience with automated manufacturing systems, robotics, or advanced process automation. Experience using Python test scripts. Proven experience working with production jigs, fixtures, and test equipment. Experience in high‑reliability or regulated industries (aerospace, defence, medical devices, automotive electronics). Familiarity with ERP/MES systems, digital manufacturing tools, or data‑driven production dashboards. Special requirement(s) Willingness to work overtime. What we offer The opportunity to work in the fast‑growing space industry. Niche global market for optical payloads for microsatellites. Cutting‑edge technology at your fingertips. A competitive salary. A friendly working environment. #J-18808-Ljbffr