NPI Engineer

Six Ventures Ltd; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Six Ventures Ltd in Cambridge is seeking a Senior New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer to lead the successful introduction of new products into manufacture, ensuring designs are production-ready, processes are capable, and products meet quality standards.

You will work across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and suppliers, taking ownership from design through to production release and continuous improvement, with hands-on CAD, DFM, prototyping, testing and documentation.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Senior NPI or product development/manufacturing engineering experience.
• Strong Design for Manufacture (DFM) knowledge.
• Experience taking products from design to production.
• Experience with CAD and engineering drawings.
• Good understanding of materials, tolerances, and assembly.
• Ability to collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and suppliers.

Responsibilities

• Create 3D models and 2D drawings using CAD software.
• Select materials and components based on cost, performance and durability.
• Conduct tolerance analyses for fit and assembly.
• Develop and evaluate early prototypes for form, fit and performance.
• Support stress, safety and durability testing.
• Review test results and refine designs.
• Lead Design for Manufacture (DFM) to enable efficient production.
• Collaborate with production to develop tooling, moulds and processes.
• Produce technical docs, assembly instructions and process specs.
• Ensure designs meet legal, environmental and industry standards.
• Lead root-cause investigations of early production issues and implement corrective actions.
• Manage pilot production through full release.
• Identify opportunities to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Maintain control of specifications, documentation, processes and changes.

Skills

NPI experience

Product development

Manufacturing engineering

Design for Manufacture (DFM)

CAD

Engineering drawings

Materials knowledge

Tolerances

Stakeholder communication

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Senior New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer

The Opportunity

We’re working with an established engineering and manufacturing business that is looking to appoint a Senior New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer to join its engineering team.

This is a key role within the business, responsible for leading the successful introduction of new products into manufacture — making sure designs are production-ready, processes are capable, and products can be manufactured safely, efficiently, cost-effectively and to the required quality standards.

You’ll work closely across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and external suppliers, taking ownership of NPI activity from the initial design stages through to production release and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Creating 3D models and 2D engineering drawings using CAD software.
• Selecting appropriate raw materials and components based on cost, performance, durability and function.
• Carrying out tolerance analysis to ensure correct fit, function and assembly.
• Developing and evaluating early prototypes to assess form, fit and performance.
• Supporting digital and physical stress, safety and durability testing.
• Reviewing test results and refining designs where required.
• Leading Design for Manufacture (DFM) activities to ensure products can be manufactured efficiently and consistently.
• Working alongside production teams to develop tooling, moulds, fixtures and assembly processes.
• Producing technical documentation, assembly instructions and manufacturing process specifications.
• Ensuring designs and processes meet relevant legal, environmental and industry standards.
• Leading root-cause investigations into early production issues and implementing corrective actions.
• Managing the pilot production phase through to full production release.
• Identifying opportunities to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency and overall performance.
• Maintaining effective control of engineering specifications, documentation, processes and engineering changes.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for an experienced engineer with a strong background in New Product Introduction, product development or manufacturing engineering.

• An engineering degree or equivalent engineering qualification/accreditation.
• Previous experience in a Senior NPI, NPI, Product Development or Manufacturing Engineering role.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM) and production processes.
• Experience taking products from design/prototype through to production.
• Experience with CAD and producing engineering drawings.
• Good understanding of materials, components, tolerances and assembly
• The ability to work effectively with engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and suppliers.

The Person

• You’ll be someone who takes ownership and enjoys seeing projects through from concept to completion.
• You’ll be comfortable managing multiple NPI activities, priorities and deadlines while remaining focused on quality, cost, delivery and manufacturability.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Takes ownership and drives projects forward.
• Is practical and solutions-focused when faced with technical or production challenges.
• Can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Builds strong relationships across different departments and with suppliers.
• Maintains high standards around engineering documentation, specifications, processes and change control.

What’s on Offer?

• The opportunity to take ownership of NPI projects within an established engineering and manufacturing environment.
• A varied role combining engineering, product development, manufacturing and continuous improvement