Head of NPI

LDI Search LTD.; England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LDI Search LTD. seeks an experienced Head of NPI Engineering to lead the end-to-end New Product Introduction function in a fast-paced EMS environment. The role drives manufacturability, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery while partnering with design, supply chain, and production teams.

You will lead a multi-disciplinary team, define NPI strategies, and ensure robust DFM/DFT/DFA practices, with a focus on customer satisfaction and performance metrics across multiple programmes.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operations within EMS/electronic manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of PCB assembly, box build, and electronic system integration.
• Deep knowledge of DFM, DFT, and DFA methodologies.
• Experience applying Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and mentor the NPI Engineering team.
• Define and implement NPI strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Own the complete NPI lifecycle from concept through production release.
• Champion robust DFM, DFT, and DFA across projects.
• Act as the primary technical interface for customers during NPI.

Skills

Leadership

NPI Leadership

PCB Assembly

DFM/DFT/DFA

Lean Six Sigma

Project Management

Stakeholder Mgmt

Customer Liaison

Job description

Head of NPI Engineering

Lead Innovation. Drive Manufacturing Excellence.

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of NPI Engineering to lead the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) function within a fast-paced, high-mix electronic manufacturing environment. This is a pivotal leadership role responsible for ensuring the seamless transition of products from design through to full-scale production — delivering excellence in manufacturability, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery. As the technical lead for NPI, you will work closely with customers, design engineering, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing teams to drive successful product launches and operational performance.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, develop, and mentor the NPI Engineering team
• Define and implement NPI strategies aligned with business objectives and customer expectations
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and engineering excellence

New Product Introduction

• Own the complete NPI lifecycle from concept review through to production release
• Ensure robust DFM, DFT, and DFA principles are embedded throughout the process
• Lead project planning, resource allocation, and risk management across multiple NPI programmes
• Act as the escalation point for all NPI-related technical and operational issues

Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary technical interface for customers during the NPI phase
• Collaborate with customers to optimise design, manufacturability, and cost efficiency
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Account Management teams

Process & Production Readiness

• Ensure manufacturing processes, tooling, and test solutions are validated before production launch
• Oversee the creation and approval of work instructions, process documentation, and control plans
• Lead First Article Inspection (FAI) and production readiness reviews

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer, and industry standards, including IPC standards
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions during early production phases
• Drive Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve efficiency and reduce waste
• Analyse key NPI metrics including time to market, yield, and cost performance

About You

• Proven leadership experience within NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, or Operations in the EMS/electronic manufacturing sector
• Strong expertise in PCB assembly, box build, and electronic systems integration
• Deep understanding of DFM, DFT, and DFA methodologies
• Experience implementing Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex programmes simultaneously
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Experience working directly with customers in a technical or engineering capacity

Success in This Role Will Be Measured By

• On-time NPI delivery
• First pass and early production yield performance
• Time to production release
• NPI cost performance versus target
• Customer satisfaction throughout the NPI lifecycle

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of advanced electronic manufacturing within a collaborative and forward-thinking organisation. You’ll have the autonomy to drive improvements, influence strategy, and lead a high-performing engineering team delivering cutting-edge products to market.