Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager

HEICO Corporation

Tampa, FL
6 days ago

Highlights

Leader Tech is seeking a technically qualified Conductive Elastomer Manufacturing Manager to lead, manage, and oversee all operations associated with the production of conductive elastomer materials and finished EMI shielding components, including bonded O-rings, pressed O-rings, die-cut gaskets, and custom elastomeric assemblies. The Manager’s primary duty is management of the assigned manufacturing operation and workforce, with responsibility for process control, product quality, labor efficiency, safety compliance, staffing and performance management, and continuous improvement within a precision manufacturing environment serving high-reliability industries.

Numbers & Facts

Location	Tampa, FL
Industry	Aerospace and Defense
Company Size	5,000 to 9,999 employees
Year Founded	1957
Website	https://www.heico.com/

Description

Leader Tech is a world leading innovator and manufacturer of EMI shielding products for circuit boards, electronic enclosures, interconnect cables and Thermal solutions founded in 1984. The Company serves a diverse commercial and military customer base from its Global EMI Shielding Technology Center located in Tampa, Florida. Every detail of the company’s one-of-a-kind manufacturing facility is tailor-engineered to streamline and improve customer service, engineering and manufacturing processes.

Position Summary

This position requires a degree in technical professional with expertise in polymer science, materials engineering, chemical engineering, or related discipline. The Manager’s primary duty is management of the assigned manufacturing operation and workforce, with responsibility for process control, product quality, labor efficiency, safety compliance, staffing and performance management, and continuous improvement within a precision manufacturing environment serving high-reliability industries.

Key Responsibilities Operational Leadership

Direct and manage daily operations of conductive elastomer mixing, milling, molding, bonding, curing, die cutting, and finishing processes, including assignment and direction of work within the department.
Manage production scheduling and labor allocation to meet customer delivery requirements while optimizing throughput and minimizing scrap.
Oversee compounding of conductive elastomer formulations containing silver-plated aluminum, nickel-graphite, silver, or other conductive fillers.
Ensure adherence to documented process parameters including cure profiles, compression set targets, durometer specifications, and electrical conductivity requirements.
Exercise independent judgment in coordinating with Planning, Engineering, Quality, and Tooling to establish priorities, resolve operational issues, and ensure efficient workflow and capacity utilization.

Technical Oversight

Maintain process control over compression molding, transfer molding, bonding processes, and die cutting operations.
Monitor and improve critical performance metrics including:
- Volume resistivity / surface resistivity
- Shielding effectiveness
- Compression force deflection (CFD)
- Tensile strength and elongation
- Dimensional tolerances
Support new product introduction (NPI), tooling validation, and first article inspections.
Troubleshoot process deviations, curing inconsistencies, bonding failures, and material nonconformances.

Quality & Compliance

Ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and AS9100 (if applicable) quality standards.
Maintain adherence to ESD control protocols and material traceability requirements.
Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) related to elastomer processing and assembly.
Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety (EHS) regulations related to polymer processing and conductive filler handling.

Continuous Improvement

Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to reduce waste and improve process capability (Cp/Cpk).
Lead cost-reduction initiatives related to scrap, cycle time, labor efficiency, and material utilization.
Develop standard work instructions and optimize labor allocation.
Support automation initiatives where applicable.

Team Management

Supervise and direct production supervisors, lead operators, and manufacturing personnel, including at least two full-time employees or their equivalent.
Conduct performance management, training, coaching, and workforce development; address performance and disciplinary matters within the scope of assigned authority.
Participate in interviewing and selection of department personnel and make recommendations regarding hiring, promotion, discipline, performance improvement, and termination; such recommendations are given significant consideration in employment decisions.
Ensure cross-training and succession planning within the department and foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
Minimum 5–7 years of manufacturing leadership experience in elastomers, polymers, rubber molding, or EMI shielding products.
Demonstrated experience with compression molding, transfer molding, elastomer bonding, and die cutting operations.
Strong understanding of conductive filler systems and electrically conductive elastomer materials.
Experience interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T.
Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems and production scheduling tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in EMI/RFI shielding materials manufacturing.
Knowledge of MIL-DTL, ASTM, and aerospace/defense material standards.
Lean or Six Sigma certification.
Experience with bonded assemblies and adhesive selection for elastomer-to-metal bonding.
Familiarity with statistical process control (SPC) and process capability analysis.

Key Competencies

Technical depth in elastomer material science
Process optimization and root cause analysis
Production planning and labor management
Quality systems compliance
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Clear communication across cross-functional teams

Work Environment

Manufacturing environment with exposure to rubber processing equipment, curing ovens, bonding operations, and die cutting machinery.
Requires frequent floor presence and hands-on process evaluation.
Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs. and stand for extended periods as needed.

Equal Opportunity Employer Minorities/Women/Protected Veterans/Disabled

About Company

HEICO Corporation is a successful and growing technology-driven aerospace, industrial, defense and electronics company. For more than 60 years, HEICO has thrived by providing customers with innovative and cost-saving products and services. HEICO's products are found on large commercial aircraft, regional, business and military aircraft, as well as on a large variety of industrial turbines, targeting systems, missiles and electro-optical devices. HEICO Corporation is a New York Stock Exchange listed company (NYSE: HEI and HEI.A) and has also been ranked as one of the 100 "World's Most Innovative Growth Companies", 100 "Best Small Companies" and 200 "Hot Shot Stocks" by Forbes over the past decade. With headquarters in Hollywood, Florida, and multiple locations around the world - HEICO provides over 1 million square feet of design, manufacturing, repair, overhaul, distribution, sales and support capabilities. HEICO Corporation operates in two segments, the Flight Support group and the Electronic Technologies group. The Flight Support group designs, engineers, manufactures, repairs, distributes and overhauls FAA-approved parts that extend over the entire aircraft, from the engines all the way to hydraulic, pneumatic, electromechanical, avionic, structures, wheels and brakes and even interiors. The Electronic Technologies group produces electrical and electro-optical systems and components serving niche segments of the aerospace, defense, communications, and computer industries. The Electronic Technologies group is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and sale of electrically and electro-optical engineered products used in the aerospace, defense, space, and electronics industries. By combining state-of-the-art technologies, a team of highly skilled Team Members and an indisputable commitment to quality, both segments have constantly delivered invaluable solutions to customers over the years, helping to position them as leaders within their industries.