NPI Engineer

Role Overview

Partner with a high‑mix manufacturing team to turn customer build‑to‑print aerospace designs into robust, repeatable, and cost‑effective production processes.

The NPI Engineer owns the launch of new aerospace components from customer print to stable production, creating practical process plans, defining tooling and inspection needs, and driving successful first article and initial builds. This position works closely with operations, quality, engineering, and supply chain to ensure new work is set up correctly the first time and ready to support ongoing production.

• Review customer drawings, 3D models, and specifications to confirm manufacturability, identify risks in tolerances, materials, and special processes, and align with internal capabilities.
• Develop end‑to‑end process plans and routings, including operation steps, work instructions, and tooling and inspection requirements, updating documentation as customer changes are received.
• Define and coordinate tooling, fixtures, gauges, and inspection aids, working with internal teams and suppliers to design, source, and validate them, while supporting CNC programming with process and tooling input.
• Lead first article activities and early builds under AS9100 and customer standards, including capability checks, trial runs, and pilot builds, and partner with Quality to establish inspection methods and control plans.
• Maintain NPI timelines, milestones, and deliverables across all functions, communicating risks early, coordinating with customers and suppliers on technical questions, and ensuring all documentation is approved before full release.
• Analyze pilot build results to improve quality, cost, and cycle time and support lean and continuous‑improvement efforts tied to new product launches.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).
• Approximately 3‑7 years in aerospace or precision manufacturing with build‑to‑print experience.
• Strong skills in reading engineering drawings, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and understanding NPI activities such as FAI under AS9100 and other launch methodologies.
• Experience with CAD viewing/interpretation tools (e.g., Solid Works, CATIA, NX), plus solid analytical, communication, and project follow‑through skills.

• Experience with sheet metal or composite components, and exposure to special processes such as forming, welding, heat treat, and advanced inspection methods.
• Knowledge of SPC, capability studies, and ERP/MRP systems;
  Lean or Six Sigma training or certification is a plus.
• Detail‑focused, highly collaborative, able to translate customer requirements into practical manufacturing solutions, and strong at driving timelines to completion.