What are the responsibilities and job description for the Engineering Manager – Encapsulation, NPI & Process Development position at Cavist Manufacturing?
Company Description - Own the technology. Own the company
Cavist is a 100% employee-owned contract manufacturer specializing in overmolding electronics to seal and protect them from the harshest environments. Our customers (startups to Fortune 500 companies) in medical, defense, aerospace, automotive, and industrial markets trust us to protect their most critical electronics through low pressure molding, epoxy encapsulation, potting, transfer molding, and insert overmolding.
We're looking for a hands-on engineering leader to be the technical heart of the company — the subject matter expert our customers call, the mentor our engineers grow under, and the owner of how new products move from first conversation to full production. You'll report directly to the President and have real influence over the company's technical direction. For the right leader, this position can grow into Director or VP of Engineering as Cavist expands its technical capabilities and engineering organization. And because we're an ESOP, the value you build here builds your own ownership stake.
What you'll do
• Lead our core technology. Serve as Cavist's expert in low pressure molding, potting, epoxy encapsulation, transfer molding, and overmolding. Develop and continuously improve process parameters, work instructions, and quality guidelines. Evaluate new materials and emerging process technologies that expand what we can offer customers.
• Own New Product Introduction. Drive NPI from initial customer engagement through DFM, prototyping, validation, and production handoff — in close partnership with Quality, Supply Chain, and Production. Lead prototype development with clear timelines that turn engineering opportunities into production revenue.
• Direct tooling and mold development. Define our processes for part design, tool design, toolmaking, and tooling validation. Build and maintain a network of toolmaking resources that supports both prototyping and production volumes.
• Grow the team. Mentor and develop our engineering team, set clear expectations, coach engineers into larger roles, and build a culture of technical rigor, accountability, and follow-through.
• Be the face of engineering. Serve as the primary technical resource in customer-facing conversations — supporting Sales on new opportunities, leading DFM discussions, and representing Cavist at tradeshows, seminars, and customer visits.
What we're looking for
• BS in Engineering required; MS preferred
• 5 years in injection molding or electronics encapsulation
• Experience with Scientific Injection Molding principles required; Master Molder certification preferred
• Specialization in insert overmolding and/or encapsulation technologies preferred
• Demonstrated ability to manage NPI programs from concept through production
• Experience with materials selection and process development for electronics protection
• Strong communicator, comfortable in front of customers and cross-functional teams
Bonus points for some combination of:
• Low pressure molding
• Overmolding electronics
• Tooling design
• Team management experience
• Customer-facing engineering roles
• Materials / plastics science background
• Medical, defense, aerospace, or automotive industry experience
• Project management
• Wiring harnesses / cable assemblies
• An established professional network in molding, tooling, or electronics manufacturing
You don't need every item on this list. If you're deep in several of these areas and eager to lead, we want to talk.
Why Cavist
• Employee ownership. We've been a 100% ESOP since 2023 — every employee builds an ownership stake, including you.
• Real scope. Small enough that your decisions matter; established enough to serve demanding customers in regulated industries. ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 13485:2016 certified, FDA registered, ITAR compliant, and pursuing AS9100.
• Interesting problems. Every program is different — new geometries, new materials, new environments to protect against.
• Reno, Nevada. No state income tax, 45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, and one of the fastest-growing advanced manufacturing regions in the country.
• Benefits: Medical, Dental, etc., 401K, and ESOP participation.