Project Manager, NPI Engineering

DESCRIPTION:

The Engineering NPI Project Manager is responsible for leading New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from customer engagement and development through production launch and operational handoff. This position serves as the central coordinator of cross-functional activities required to successfully produce new products while balancing customer requirements, technical risks, schedule commitments, resource constraints, and manufacturing readiness.

The Engineering NPI Project Manager works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Production Control, Operations, and Customers to ensure product designs are manufacturable, documentation is complete, risks are identified and mitigated, and all organizational functions are prepared to support a successful launch. This role is responsible for driving accountability, visibility, communication, and execution throughout the NPI lifecycle.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Lead cross-functional New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from project kick-off through production release.

• Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and risk assessments.

• Coordinate activities across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, Planning, and Customer teams.

• Serve as the primary internal point of coordination for development projects.

• Facilitate project reviews and drive execution to meet customer commitments and business objectives.

• Track and communicate project status, key performance indicators, open actions, risks, roadblocks, and mitigation plans.

• Manage customer development programs involving evolving designs, changing requirements, and iterative engineering releases.

• Coordinate engineering development activities including design reviews, manufacturability reviews, qualification plans, process validation, and production readiness assessments.

• Lead project risk identification and mitigation activities throughout the product lifecycle.

• Drive accountability for project deliverables across all functional departments.

• Coordinate design revisions, customer specification updates, and implementation plans.

• Facilitate Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Quality reviews.

• Coordinate pilot and first production builds.

• Support development and execution of qualification and validation activities including process qualification, product testing, and customer acceptance requirements.

• Ensure manufacturing methods, routings, BOMs, inspection plans, tooling, fixtures, and work instructions are completed before production release.

• Coordinate ERP setup and readiness activities for new products.

• Work with Supply Chain and Purchasing to ensure material availability, supplier readiness, and long-lead procurement requirements.

• Collaborate with Quality to ensure PFMEAs, Control Plans, Inspection Plans, and risk management activities are completed prior to launch.

• Support customer communications regarding schedules, project status, technical issues, risks, and launch readiness.

• Escalate project risks and resource conflicts to leadership when necessary.

• Drive lessons learned and continuous improvement activities for the NPI process.

• Support process improvement initiatives aimed at reducing development cycle times and improving launch performance.

• Maintain compliance with ISO procedures, customer requirements, and FM Industries established protocols.

• Understand safety work processes including JSA and MOC requirements.

• Comply with applicable environmental, health, and safety laws and regulations, Company policy, and accepted safe work practices.

• Perform additional related duties as assigned.

CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification/Training

• Lean Manufacturing Certification/Training

• Six Sigma Green Belt or Equivalent

• ERP System Certification/Training

• GD&T Certification/Training

• Risk Management Certification/Training

• APQP Certification/Training

• PFMEA Certification/Training

• Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) Certification/Training

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Manufacturing or Industrial Technology, Operations or Project Management, or related technical discipline.

• 5+ years of experience in precision manufacturing, semiconductor manufacturing, aerospace, or similar high-technology industries.

• 3+ years leading complex cross-functional projects.

• Equivalent combinations of education, professional certifications, and relevant manufacturing, engineering, operations, or project management experience will be considered.

• Experience managing New Product Introduction (NPI) and New Product Development (NPD).

• Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering development, product lifecycle management, and production launch processes.

• Experience coordinating engineering changes, qualification activities, and manufacturing readiness programs.

• Ability to effectively communicate with all levels of the organization, including executive leadership and customers.

• Experience presenting project status, risks, and recommendations to management teams.

• Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, prioritization, and project leadership skills.

• Experience with project management methodologies, stage-gate processes, and risk management frameworks.

• Knowledge of ERP systems, product structures, BOM management, and manufacturing documentation.

• Working knowledge of machining, assembly, inspection, cleanroom manufacturing, welding, anodizing, precision cleaning, and testing processes.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and customer requirements.

• Experience supporting customer-driven development projects with frequent revisions and changing requirements.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Teams, and related project management tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS WHILE PERFORMING THE JOB:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch.

• The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle objects.

• The employee is occasionally required to lift and move objects up to 15 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT OF THE JOB:

• The physical environment requires the employee to work in a normal office setting with frequent visits to the manufacturing floor and certified cleanroom.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts.

• The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderate.

• The employee will be required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent exposure to hazardous materials commonly used in a manufacturing environment (i.e., safety glasses and shoes, gloves, ear plugs/covers, mask, cleanroom suit) in the shop floor area.