Senior New Product Development (NPD) Engineer

Sunbrilo Technology; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,000,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Wadhokar Group is seeking a Senior New Product Development (NPD) Engineer for sheet metal components. You will manage the complete development lifecycle from customer requirements to SOP, including feasibility analysis, prototype development, tooling coordination, and production trials.

The role requires hands‑on experience in sheet metal fabrication, press shop, welding, tooling, APQP/PPAP, and cross‑functional coordination.

Qualifications

• Sheet metal manufacturing knowledge and fabrication experience.
• Experience in end‑to‑end NPD lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of APQP/PPAP processes.
• Cross‑functional project coordination skills.
• Good communication and leadership abilities.
• Familiarity with GD&T and engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead end‑to‑end New Product Development activities for sheet metal components.
• Study customer drawings, specifications and GD&T requirements.
• Conduct manufacturing feasibility analysis for new sheet metal products.
• Coordinate with Design, Tool Room, Production, Quality, Purchase and Customers.
• Develop processes, fixtures, gauges, dies, and tooling.
• Plan prototype trials, pilot production, and production validation.
• Drive cost reduction, value engineering, and quality improvements.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance.

Job description

Role & responsibilities

Job Description Senior New Product Development (NPD) Engineer.

Job Title: New Product Development (NPD) Engineer
Experience: 2+ Years
Industry: Automotive / Sheet Metal Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-Time

Location - Pune

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Senior New Product Development (NPD) Engineer with strong expertise in sheet metal component development, manufacturing processes, and product industrialization. The candidate will be responsible for managing the complete product development lifecycle, from customer requirements and feasibility analysis to prototype development, tooling coordination, production trials, and successful SOP.

The ideal candidate should have hands‑on experience in sheet metal fabrication, press shop processes, welding, tooling, APQP documentation, and cross‑functional project coordination.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end‑to‑end New Product Development (NPD) activities for sheet metal components.
• Study customer drawings, specifications, GD&T requirements, and technical standards.
• Conduct manufacturing feasibility analysis for new sheet metal products.
• Coordinate with Design, Tool Room, Production, Quality, Purchase, and Customers during product development.
• Support product design optimization considering manufacturability, cost, quality, and production requirements.
• Develop and review process flow, manufacturing process plans, and production strategies.
• Coordinate development of prototypes, samples, fixtures, gauges, dies, and tooling.
• Plan and execute prototype trials, pilot production, and production validation activities.
• Identify and resolve technical issues during product development and trial stages.
• Ensure smooth transition of developed products from development to mass production.
• Prepare and maintain NPD documentation as per APQP methodology.
• Support preparation and review of PFMEA, Process Flow Diagram, Control Plan, PPAP, and work instructions.
• Monitor project timelines and ensure on‑time completion of development milestones.
• Coordinate with suppliers for raw material, tooling, bought‑out parts, and development requirements.
• Participate in customer meetings, technical discussions, and project reviews.
• Drive cost reduction, value engineering, process improvement, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for development‑related issues.
• Ensure compliance with customer‑specific requirements and automotive quality standards.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance to the NPD team.

Preferred candidate profile

Required Skills & Competencies

• Strong knowledge of Sheet Metal Manufacturing and Fabrication Processes.
• Hands‑on experience in Press Shop, Welding, Assembly, and Sheet Metal Fabrication.
• Good understanding of Tooling, Dies, Fixtures, and Gauges.
• Experience in complete New Product Development lifecycle.
• Knowledge of APQP and PPAP processes.
• Strong understanding of PFMEA, Control Plan, Process Flow Diagram, 5 Why, Fishbone, and 8D.
• Knowledge of GD&T and engineering drawings.
• Experience in prototype development and production trials.
• Familiarity with IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 standards.
• Strong problem‑solving and project management skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with cross‑functional teams and customers.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD, CATIA, SolidWorks, or NX will be an added advantage.
• Good communication, leadership, and team management skills.

Educational Qualification

• B.E./B.Tech or Diploma in Mechanical / Production / Automobile Engineering
• Additional certification in APQP, PPAP, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or Project Management will be an advantage.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum 2+ years of experience in New Product Development (NPD).
• Experience in Automotive Sheet Metal Components / Press Shop / Fabrication Industry preferred.
• Exposure to OEM/Tier‑1 automotive product development processes will be an added advantage.

Company Website Link: Wadhokar Group | Precision Sheet Metal & Automotive Components Manufacturer