Sr. Manufacturing Engineer - Paint, Product Introduction; NPI

Manufacturing Readiness Lead

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Overview:

You will lead paint manufacturing readiness and launch execution activities for new product introductions across multiple Polaris manufacturing sites. In this role, you will develop and implement paint processes, labor planning, tooling, equipment, masking strategies, quality controls, and production readiness plans to support successful product launches. You will collaborate with product development, operations, quality, and manufacturing teams to ensure alignment and achievement of safety, quality, delivery, and cost objectives while also providing oversight of readiness activities in additional back shop operations, including injection molding.

This role offers the opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy, support complex product launches, and drive operational readiness across multiple facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead manufacturing readiness activities and program deliverables for paint and related back shop operations from concept through start of production.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturing (DFAM) reviews and provide recommendations to improve manufacturability, quality, ergonomics, and cost.
• Collaborate with product engineering, operations, quality, manufacturing engineering, and subject matter experts to develop and execute launch plans.
• Develop labor estimates, capacity plans, paint consumption calculations, and manufacturing cost models to support program planning and execution.
• Define tooling, fixtures, masking systems, racks, carts, and equipment requirements to support new product introductions.
• Support capital planning activities, including equipment specifications, supplier selection, procurement, runoffs, installation, and commissioning.
• Lead prototype, validation, pilot, and production-intent build readiness activities while managing risks and issue resolution.
• Partner with quality teams to establish appearance standards, validation requirements, and process control methods.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions to address quality, process, tooling, and launch-related challenges.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on manufacturing efficiency, quality enhancement, standardization, and cost reduction.
• Prepare and present launch readiness updates, project risks, recommendations, and status reports to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Manage multiple projects and launch activities across manufacturing locations while maintaining schedules, budgets, and key deliverables.

Desired

Competencies:

• Collaboration:
  
  You work effectively with others across functions and levels, contributing to shared goals while respecting different perspectives.
• Problem Solving:
  You identify issues, assess root causes, and implement practical solutions that balance speed, quality, and risk.
• Technical / Functional Expertise:
  You apply the required technical or professional knowledge to perform your role effectively and stay current within your area of expertise.
• Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Minimum 8-10 years of manufacturing engineering experience, including paint, coatings, surface finishing, manufacturing launch activities, or related areas.
• Strong knowledge of paint processes, masking systems, tooling, fixtures, labor planning, and quality systems.
• Experience supporting new product introduction activities, including DFAM reviews, pilot builds, validation activities, and production launches.
• Demonstrated project management experience and the ability to lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and…