RF Manufacturing Technician Lead (Production & People Leadership)

About the role

At Microwave Power Products (MPP), we manufacture RF and electronic components used in aerospace, defense, medical, and industrial equipment. Our work requires precision, attention to detail, and teamwork, and our technicians play an important role in building products our worldwide customers depend on. MPP has more than 70 years of manufacturing experience and is now part of TransDigm Group, a global aerospace and defense company. We offer a stable work environment, hands‑on training, and opportunities to grow your skills while working with experienced technicians and engineers. MPP is looking for a technically strong leader who can help lead production while developing the knowledge needed to understand and support a specialized RF and high‑voltage test environment. You'll work alongside technicians and assemblers, help troubleshoot production problems, coordinate with Engineering and Quality, and help keep technically complex work moving safely and on schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate daily production activities and prioritize work to support schedule commitments.
• Provide technical and day‑to‑day leadership to technicians.
• Help identify production constraints and remove obstacles before they affect delivery.
• Work directly with technical employees to troubleshoot equipment, process, and production issues.
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, and Supply Chain to resolve problems.
• Ensure work is performed safely, accurately, and according to established procedures.
• Identify and implement improvements to workflow, quality, productivity, and schedule adherence.
• Support training, cross‑training, and development of technical employees.
• Communicate production status, risks, technical issues, and resource needs to leadership.
• Help build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in manufacturing, production, test, electronics, RF, or a related technical environment.
• 2+ years of experience leading, mentoring, coordinating, or supervising technical employees or production work.
• Hands‑on RF experience.
• Experience troubleshooting technical equipment in a production or test environment.
• Ability to understand electrical/mechanical assembly and production workflows.
• Ability to read and follow technical documentation, procedures, drawings, and work instructions.
• Experience with process improvement, Lean principles, or similar continuous‑improvement practices.
• Strong communication and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• A hands‑on, decisive approach to solving problems.
• Interest in developing people and taking broader ownership of production.

Skills

• Experience with RF systems, RF test equipment, high‑power electronics, electrical instrumentation.
• Proficiency using oscilloscopes, DMMs, RF power meters, spectrum analyzers, high‑voltage measurement equipment, power supplies, and specialized test fixtures.
• Experience with high‑power/high‑voltage RF systems, energized equipment, conditioning or burn‑in processes, or tube‑based technology.
• Vacuum electronics experience (working with tubes or related high‑power RF systems) is a plus.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Generous 401(k) match.
• Commuter benefits and more within the Stanford Research Park.
• Complimentary EV charging.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Training and opportunities for skill development and growth.

Pay

$95,000–$120,000 per year (exempt)

Schedule

On‑site position in Palo Alto, CA; may require flexibility to work beyond standard business hours to support high‑priority production needs.