Senior NPI Engineer

Recruit 12; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruit 12 is recruiting a Senior NPI Engineer for a Cambridgeshire-based specialist engineering business. You will own the introduction of new products into manufacture, coordinating across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement and suppliers to deliver production-ready designs.

Reporting to the Head of Engineering, you will lead NPI activities from design through pilot production, drive DFMs, support prototype builds and validation, and manage issues to ensure a smooth transition to

Qualifications

• Experience in an NPI role from design to production.
• Engineering degree or equivalent qualification.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and Design for Manufacture.

Responsibilities

• Create and review 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Lead NPI activities to ensure production readiness.
• Coordinate tooling and assembly processes with production teams.
• Conduct tolerance analysis and product testing.
• Lead Design for Manufacture (DFM) initiatives.
• Manage pilot production ahead of full release.

Skills

NPI Experience

Project Management

Stakeholder Mgmt

DFM

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.

Your responsibilities will include:

• 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

The successful candidate will have:

• 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