NPI Lead

Secretlab; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Secretlab seeks a seasoned NPI leader to drive end-to-end new product introductions across design, engineering, operations and manufacturing. You will champion manufacturability, cost efficiency and scalable processes for high‑quality, repeatable launches.

You will mentor a growing NPI team, partner with senior leaders to set priorities, and implement playbooks while staying ahead of industry trends and supplier ecosystem developments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 8–10 years in product industrialization or NPI, preferably hardware/electronics.
• At least 5 years managing technical or cross-functional teams.
• Proven success launching complex products and solving manufacturing challenges at scale.
• Strong knowledge of DFM, DFx, DFMEA and plastics/foam tooling.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and translate to manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication to align stakeholders in a matrix organization.
• Fluent English and Mandarin for supplier collaboration.
• Willingness to travel regionally for supplier/factory engagements.
• Background in consumer electronics, lifestyle hardware, or furniture industries.
• Proficiency in CAD (SolidWorks/Creo/NX).
• Experience with Agile or structured project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end NPI projects from design collaboration to pilot builds to full production.
• Collaborate with Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality to optimize manufacturability, cost, and quality.
• Drive DFM, DFx, and other quality frameworks to improve outcomes.
• Develop manufacturing solutions by identifying and evaluating new technologies and processes.
• Review designs and tolerances to ensure feasibility with factory capabilities.
• Manage risks and create actionable plans for timelines, costs, and quality.
• Ensure deliverables meet EVT, DVT, and PVT milestones.
• Build and refine NPI processes, playbooks, and review structures.
• Identify gaps in NPI execution and propose tooling, inputs, and supplier improvements.
• Mentor a core team of NPI engineers and plan future hiring and development.
• Partner with senior leaders to align launch priorities and readiness criteria.
• Stay updated on industry trends and manufacturing innovations.
• Support broader transformation initiatives to build long-term capabilities.

Skills

NPI leadership

Cross-functional leadership

DFM/DFx/DFMEA

Lean manufacturing

Engineering drawings interpretation

English/Mandarin communication

Agile/PM methods

Supplier collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD tools (SolidWorks/Creo/NX)

Job description

Secretlab is an international gaming chair brand seating over 3 million users worldwide. Our key markets are in the United States, Europe, and Singapore, where we are headquartered.

Our Manufacturing and Supply Chain team is committed to producing high-performance products that offer the best user experience, blending advanced technology with exceptional craftsmanship.

We are seeking a strong leader for our New Product Introduction (NPI) team who can take charge of key product launches while establishing a scalable, cross-functional NPI function. This role offers growth opportunities for someone ready to transition from managing NPI projects to leading NPI strategy, processes, and team development in the near future. You will collaborate closely with the Design, Engineering, Operations, and Manufacturing teams to ensure our products are developed with a focus on quality, scalability, and cost-effectiveness, while also setting the manufacturing team up for long-term success.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end execution of new product introduction (NPI) projects, starting from initial design collaboration and progressing through pilot builds to full-scale production.
• Collaborate closely with the Design, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Quality teams to ensure that products are optimized for manufacturability, cost, and quality.
• Drive the application of Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Excellence (DfX), and other quality frameworks to enhance production outcomes.
• Develop and deliver customized manufacturing solutions by identifying, sourcing, and assessing new technologies and processes that meet project needs.
• Review mechanical designs, drawings, and tolerances to ensure manufacturing feasibility and compatibility with factory capabilities.
• Manage risks and opportunities related to project timelines, costs, and quality, turning them into actionable plans.
• Ensure that all manufacturing engineering deliverables are completed ahead of key project milestones (e.g., EVT, DVT, PVT).
• Build and continuously improve NPI processes, playbooks, and review structures to facilitate scalable and repeatable product launches.
• Identify gaps in current NPI execution and propose improvements in tooling readiness, design inputs, and supplier collaboration.
• Begin shaping and mentoring a core team of NPI engineers, taking on future responsibilities for hiring and talent development.
• Partner with senior leaders across Engineering, Product, and Operations to align on launch priorities, timelines, and readiness criteria.
• Stay updated with industry trends, manufacturing innovations, and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.
• Support broader operational transformation initiatives aimed at building long-term manufacturing capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field.
• 8 to 10 years of experience in product industrialization or new product introduction (NPI), preferably in hardware or consumer electronics.
• At least 5 years of experience managing technical or cross-functional teams.
• Proven success in launching complex products and addressing manufacturing challenges on a large scale.
• Strong understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Excellence (DfX), Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA), and manufacturing processes, particularly in plastic, foam, and cast metal tooling.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and specifications and convert them into actionable manufacturing processes.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align diverse stakeholders within a matrix organization.
• Proficient in English and Mandarin to effectively collaborate with Mandarin-speaking suppliers.
• Willingness to travel regionally for supplier and factory engagements.
• Background in the consumer electronics, lifestyle hardware, or furniture industries.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX.
• Experience with Agile methodologies or other structured project management techniques.