Production Planning Engineer/Master Scheduler - PCB Manufacturing
Job Description
About Pioneer Circuits
Since its establishment in 1981, Pioneer Circuits has been leading the way in technology solutions for mission-critical systems. As the leading, privately held U.S. manufacturer of innovative high-performance flexible circuit boards, we are dedicated to the design, production, and assembly of advanced printed circuit board assembly (PCBAs) technology solutions.
We develop cutting-edge solutions that explore new frontiers, serve and protect our armed forces and allies, safeguard national security against evolving threats, and propel advancements in hypersonic technology.
Our customers include some of the largest aerospace and defense companies like RTX, Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, NASA, JPL, Northrop Grumman, and Boeing.
The Mission
Build the AI operating layer behind America’s most advanced flex PCB manufacturer.
Pioneer Circuits has been manufacturing high-reliability flex and rigid-flex PCBs for systems where failure is not an option: hypersonics, satellites, avionics, space, and classified defense platforms.
You'll work alongside our Operations and Innovation teams to put autonomous planning agents directly into the work, connecting customer demand, shop floor reality, and the people running the tools.
AI applied where it actually ships: production planning, scheduling, and operational decisions for one of the country's most demanding manufacturing environments.
What You’ll Do
AI-Assisted Planning & Agentic Workflows
- Partner with AI & Automation team to deploy and refine AI agents that augment planning
- Build prompt patterns and structured workflows in Pioneer’s internal Claude/Bedrock environment
- Define and maintain data contracts between planning, MES, ERP, and the AI layer
- Identify and prototype new agentic use cases in collaboration with Technology & Innovation
Production Planning & Scheduling
- Plan and issue production schedules across flex, rigid-flex, and PCBA product lines
- Develop and maintain daily production plans consistent with capability, materials, tooling, and labor
- Manager WIP flow across the value stream from raw material receipt through final assembly, test, and shipment
- Identify and analyze production bottlenecks; partner with production teams towards resolutions
- Coordinate multiple departments to ensure production schedules are met
Data, Queries & Automation
- Write SQL and Python against Pioneer’s production data layer – without waiting on IT
- Build custom dashboard and ad-hoc queries to answer operational questions in minutes
- Automate recurring planning artifacts using scripting and internal automation platforms
- Contribute to ERP/MES integration efforts as a power user
Connected Manufacturing Execution
- Work directly with our shop floor connectivity initiative to ensure shop floor data supports closed-loop scheduling
- Help operationalize job-centric communication architecture legible to AI agents and human operators
- Validate that planning workflows meet FedRAMP, CMMC, and ITAR requirements end-to-end
Customer & Compliance Management
- Acts as point of contact between Sales and Ops departments
- Manager Tier 1 aerospace and defense prime contractor portals
- Ensure on-time delivery against AS9100, ITAR, and prime contractor scorecard requirements
Continuous Improvement
- Establish and maintain planning KPIs with regular operations leadership review
- Drive root cause analysis on schedule misses
- Coach buyers, expediters, and production supervisors on AI-assisted workflows
What You’ll Bring
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills
- Strong Excel skills with a focus on automation and data analysis
- Proficiency in SQL for custom queries and reporting
- Working proficiency in Python, VBA, or PowerShell
- Hands-on experience using AI assistants in daily operational or analytical work
- Working knowledge of MRP/ERP systems
- Ability to read and interpret PCBA drawings, BOMs, CAD data, and technical documentation
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in technical operations, automation, or production environments
- Daily working proficiency with modern AI assistants (Claude, ChatGPT, or equivalent) for analytical and operational work
Preferred
- Understanding of PCB manufacturing processes and production workflows
- Experience with ProCim or similar ERP/MES platforms
- Experience designing, deploying, or supporting AI workflows or AI agents in a business or production environment
- Experience with MES platforms, SCADA systems, or cloud-based data tools such as AWS GovCloud
- Knowledge of AS9100, AS9102 (FAI), ITAR, and configuration control requirements
- Exposure to aerospace, defense, semiconductor, electronics, or PCB manufacturing environments
- Background in production planning, scheduling, or supply chain operations
- Exposure to defense prime supplier scorecards and compliance expectations
- APICS CPIM, CSCP, or equivalent certification
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Industrial Engineer, Data Science, Information Systems, or a related technical field. Equivalent professional experience considered
You’ll Thrive Here If...
- You can hold judgment over an AI recommendation – you know when the agent is right, when it’s missing context, and when to override. The agents do the analysis; you do the deciding.
- You build tools, not just use them – writing queries, refining prompts, shopping the next iteration of the system is how you spend your afternoons.
- You’re comfortable on a factory floor – you can stand at a workstation, ask the right questions, and bring real ground truth back to the systems you’re building.
- You solve data problems yourself – you write SQL, automate reports, and answer operational questions in minutes, not days, without waiting on IT.
- You want your work to matter – what we ship doesn’t end up in a dashboard. It flies.
Job Type:
- Full-Time/Permanent
- On Site
The actual compensation offered is based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and other relevant business considerations.
Pioneer Circuits provides a comprehensive benefits package for all full-time roles, encompassing healthcare, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Additionally, employees enjoy paid vacation, paid holidays, and a 401(k) plan + company match, along with various voluntary benefits options.
This is an ITAR-controlled facility. As such, all applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. Employment eligibility will be verified through the E-Verify system as part of the hiring process.
Pioneer Circuits is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity, or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.