New Product Introduction Engineer

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer is responsible for transitioning customer build-to-print aerospace components into stable, efficient, and compliant production processes. This role focuses on reviewing customer drawings and specifications, establishing manufacturable process plans, developing tooling and inspection requirements, coordinating first articles, and ensuring readiness for full-rate production. The NPI Engineer works cross-functionally with engineering, production, quality, and supply chain teams.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Review & Process Planning

• Review customer drawings, 3D models, and specifications for feasibility, manufacturability, and alignment with company capabilities.
• Identify risks related to tolerances, materials, special processes, or inspection methods.
• Develop complete manufacturing process plans, including routings, process steps, work instructions, and tooling requirements.
• Incorporate customer engineering changes into manufacturing documentation.

Tooling, Fixtures, and Equipment

• Define requirements for machining fixtures, forming tools, holding devices, inspection aids, and gauges.
• Work with internal teams or external vendors to design, procure, and validate tooling.
• Support CNC programming through manufacturability inputs, recommended process sequences, and tooling direction.

Launch & Qualification

• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) activities in accordance with AS9100 and customer requirements.
• Conduct process validation activities, including capability studies, trial runs, and pilot builds.
• Collaborate with Quality to establish inspection methods, control plans, and documentation.

Project Management

• Develop and maintain NPI schedules, milestones, and deliverables across engineering, quality, supply chain, and operations.
• Monitor progress, identify risks early, and drive corrective actions to maintain launch readiness.
• Provide consistent internal communication to leadership and cross-functional contributors.

Customer & Supplier Interface

• Act as the technical point of contact for customer engineering regarding drawing questions and clarifications.
• Coordinate with suppliers on material, tooling, and outside processing to ensure compliance with requirements.

Production Readiness & Continuous Improvement

• Confirm all manufacturing and inspection documentation is complete and approved before production release.
• Review pilot build outcomes to drive improvements in quality, cost, and cycle time.
• Support lean manufacturing and process-improvement initiatives related to new product launches.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Aerospace Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3–7 years of experience in aerospace or precision component manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of build-to-print manufacturing, GD&T, tolerance analysis, and engineering drawings.
• Experience with NPI activities including FAI/AS9100, APQP elements, and production launch.
• Familiarity with special processes such as fabrrication, forming, welding, heat treat, and inspection processes.
• Proficiency with CAD interpretation tools (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or similar).
• Strong analytical and communication skills.

Preferred

• Experience in sheet metal or composites at a build-to-print supplier.
• Knowledge of Statistical Process Control and capability analysis.
• Lean or Six Sigma certification.
• ERP/MRP system experience.

Key Competencies

• Quality-driven mindset with strong attention to detail.
• Effective cross-functional collaboration.
• Ability to translate customer specifications into efficient manufacturing processes.
• Strong problem-solving and process-improvement capability.
• Strong communicator both within company and with external customers
• Strong follow through ensuring timeline integrity