Senior NPI Engineer

Recruit 12; Burwell; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruit 12 is seeking a Senior NPI Engineer in Cambridgeshire to lead the introduction of new products into manufacture. You will own NPI activities across design, prototyping, pilot production and production release, coordinating with engineering, manufacturing, quality and suppliers.

You will drive DFMs, material selection and tolerance analyses while maintaining rigorous documentation and compliance. A data-driven, continuous-improvement mindset is essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or equivalent in engineering required.
• Experience taking products from design through to production.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and DFMs.
• Experience with prototypes, testing, tolerance analysis and production problem-solving.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate NPI activities to ensure production readiness.
• Create and review 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Select materials and components based on cost, durability and function.
• Conduct tolerance analysis for correct fit.
• Support prototype builds and product testing.
• Coordinate stress, safety and durability testing.
• Lead Design for Manufacture (DFM) activities and coordinate with production teams.
• Create technical documentation, assembly instructions and process specifications.
• Ensure products meet legal, environmental, and safety standards.
• Lead root-cause investigations into early production issues.
• Manage pilot production ahead of full production release.
• Maintain control of specifications and engineering changes.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Skills

NPI / New Product Introduction

Project management

Stakeholder management

Design for Manufacture

Prototype testing

Tolerance analysis

Continuous improvement

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Senior NPI Engineer

Hours: 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday

We are currently recruiting for an exciting opportunity for a Senior NPI Engineer to join a specialist engineering business based in Cambridgeshire. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced NPI Engineer to take ownership of the successful introduction of new products into manufacture, working across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and suppliers. You will play a key role in taking products from initial design and prototyping through to pilot production, production release and continuous improvement.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, you will lead and coordinate NPI activities, ensuring products are production-ready, processes are capable and manufacturing can be delivered safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.

• Creating and reviewing 3D models and 2D engineering drawings.
• Selecting suitable materials and components based on cost, durability and functionality.
• Conducting tolerance analysis to ensure correct fit and assembly.
• Supporting prototype builds and product testing.
• Coordinating stress, safety and durability testing.
• Refining designs based on testing and production feedback.
• Leading Design for Manufacture (DFM) activities.
• Working with production teams on tooling, assembly processes and manufacturing methods.
• Creating technical documentation, assembly instructions and process specifications.
• Ensuring products meet relevant legal, environmental and safety standards.
• Leading root-cause investigations into initial production issues.
• Managing pilot production ahead of full production release.
• Maintaining effective control of specifications, documentation, processes and engineering changes.
• Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

About You

• Strong previous experience in an NPI / New Product Introduction role.
• An engineering degree or comparable engineering qualification/accreditation.
• Experience taking products from design through to production.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes and Design for Manufacture.
• Experience with prototypes, testing, tolerance analysis and production problem-solving.
• Strong project and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple NPI activities, priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A pragmatic, data-driven approach to solving technical and production challenges.
• A strong continuous-improvement mindset.

If you're an experienced NPI Engineer looking for an opportunity to take ownership of new product introduction and make a genuine impact across engineering and manufacturing, we'd be keen to hear from you