Manufacturing Team Lead

Company

WaveRyde Instruments is growing its technical team to develop quantum sensor systems for 5G applications. A spin-off from Quantum Valley Ideas Laboratories (QVIL), WaveRyde benefits from strong support from QVIL and leaders in the wireless industry. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, near Toronto, the company is in the heart of Canada’s Quantum Valley, with strong academic research and technology communities and outstanding universities. Its team includes pioneering leaders in quantum sensors and wireless technologies.

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on manufacturing team lead to help build our instruments and coordinate day-to-day production work as our manufacturing capability grows. You will assemble electrical, electronic, and mechanical components, support testing and troubleshooting, and help a small team complete builds safely, consistently, and to the required quality.

Our instruments are produced in low volumes while R&D continues. This role combines practical bench work with team coordination, quality control support, and clear documentation. You will work with manufacturing leadership, engineering, R&D, and quality personnel, taking on a variety of tasks with technical guidance where needed.

Assembly and production coordination

· Build and integrate electrical, electronic, and mechanical assemblies, including enclosures, component mounts, wiring, and cable connections, using approved drawings, bills of materials, and work instructions.

· Coordinate daily build activities against agreed priorities, check that parts and tools are available, and communicate progress, shortages, quality concerns, and other issues that may affect delivery.

· Guide and train team members in assembly methods, inspection checks, and safe working practices while continuing to contribute directly to builds.

· Carry out prescribed functional tests, record results, and troubleshoot assembly or connection problems. Use approved software and test utilities where required, with engineering guidance for unfamiliar or more complex issues.

· Support prototype and early production builds with R&D and engineering. Identify practical improvements to assembly methods, fixtures, handling, and work instructions as designs evolve.

· Help maintain an orderly manufacturing area, suitable tools and fixtures, and appropriate component handling practices, including electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection where required.

Quality and manufacturing documentation

· Work with quality control (QC) personnel and perform incoming, in-process, or final inspections as needed, using approved criteria. Document nonconformances and escalate issues for review.

· Help investigate quality and assembly problems. Prepare corrective and preventive action (CAPA) records with engineering and quality guidance, support agreed actions, and help verify their effectiveness.

· Create engineering change notices (ECNs) for review and approval. Help introduce approved changes into builds and ensure the team uses current drawings, bills of materials, and work instructions.

· Help write, improve, and follow standard operating procedures, assembly instructions, inspection checklists, and test procedures. Maintain accurate build, inspection, test, and rework records, including part and revision traceability.

· Maintain production and material records in the company’s systems, report recurring issues, and contribute practical suggestions to improve quality and build repeatability.

Required experience

· Hands-on experience assembling electrical, electronic, and mechanical products, ideally instruments or comparable equipment requiring careful workmanship and accurate documentation.

· Experience guiding or training others and coordinating work within a small production or technical team.

· Ability to read assembly drawings, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and work instructions, and use appropriate hand tools, measuring instruments, and basic electrical test equipment.

· Experience performing inspection and functional checks, identifying defects, and troubleshooting assembly problems. Sound judgment about when to seek engineering or quality support.

· Ability to write clear procedures and quality records, and work within processes for document control, engineering changes, and corrective actions.

· A technical diploma, apprenticeship, or equivalent practical experience in electronics, electrical, mechanical, or mechatronics assembly and manufacturing.

· Comfort using computers and production records, clear communication, attention to detail, and willingness to handle varied tasks in a growing team.

Useful additional experience

Software configuration, test utilities, and basic software troubleshooting; preparing CAPA reports or ECNs; optical component or fibre handling; soldering or cable harness assembly; and manufacturing ERP systems such as Odoo. Experience with new product introduction (NPI) or helping establish a manufacturing area would also be an asset.

Compensation

Annual base salary: CAD $70,000–$85,000, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.