New Product Transition (NPT) Program Manager - Kalispell

Make Choteau Home; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Applied Materials in the United States seeks a Program Manager to lead the transition of new products from design to scalable manufacturing. You will serve as the central integrator across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Product Management, and suppliers to ensure launch readiness and cost targets.

You will build integrated schedules, drive DFM/DFA, coordinate readiness activities, and manage pilot and qualification builds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, NPI, NPT, operations engineering, or program management.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs with engineering, quality, operations, suppliers, and supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering change control, product configuration management, and production readiness.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional New Product Transition (NPT) programs from concept release through pilot, qualification, ramp, and production readiness.
• Build and manage integrated project schedules, critical paths, milestones, risks, and launch deliverables.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), cost, quality, reliability, and serviceability considerations early in the lifecycle.
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness activities including tooling, fixtures, test equipment, capacity planning, work instructions, process validation, and training.
• Facilitate engineering change implementation and align product structures, BOMs, routings, suppliers, and factory operations.
• Lead cross-functional risk reviews and mitigation plans related to quality, schedule, supply chain, and readiness.
• Manage pilot builds, qualification builds, production trials, and lessons-learned activities.
• Develop executive-level program communication, status reporting, escalation management, and decision support materials.
• Partner with global and local stakeholders to achieve launch commitments for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer requirements.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline

Tools

SAP

ERP

PLM

MES

Job description

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology.

What We Offer

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.

The NPT Program Manager is responsible for leading the transition of new products from design and development into scalable, repeatable manufacturing operations. The role serves as the central integrator across Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, Product Management, and Supplier partners to ensure successful launch readiness, cost targets, schedule adherence, manufacturability, and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional New Product Transition (NPT) programs from concept release through pilot, qualification, ramp, and production readiness.
• Build and manage integrated project schedules, critical paths, milestones, risks, and launch deliverables.
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), cost, quality, reliability, and serviceability considerations early in the product lifecycle.
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness activities including tooling, fixtures, test equipment, capacity planning, work instructions, process validation, and training.
• Facilitate engineering change implementation and ensure alignment across product structures, BOMs, routings, suppliers, and factory operations.
• Lead cross-functional risk reviews and mitigation plans related to quality, schedule, supply chain, and operational readiness.
• Manage pilot builds, qualification builds, production trials, and lessons-learned activities.
• Develop executive-level program communication, status reporting, escalation management, and decision support materials.
• Partner with global and local stakeholders to achieve launch commitments for safety, quality, delivery, cost, and customer requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, new product introduction (NPI), new product transition (NPT), operations engineering, program management, or related technical leadership roles.
• Experience leading cross-functional programs involving engineering, quality, operations, suppliers, and supply chain organizations.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, engineering change control, product configuration management, and production readiness activities.
• Demonstrated project management skills including schedule development, risk management, issue resolution, and stakeholder alignment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor capital equipment, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, electronics, or other complex engineered products.
• Experience with APQP, PFMEA, DFMEA, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, DOE, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Knowledge of SAP, ERP, PLM, MES, and product lifecycle management systems.
• PMP, Agile, Six Sigma, or equivalent program management certifications.

Key Traits

• Demonstrated capability in program leadership, manufacturing readiness, engineering change management, and cross-functional execution.
• Comfortable leading through ambiguity, influencing without authority, travel as required, executive presentations, and ownership of critical launch commitments.
• Collaborative, resilient, data-driven, customer-focused, and capable of balancing urgency with disciplined decision making.
• Able to integrate technical, operational, supply chain, quality, and commercial considerations across multiple simultaneous programs and priorities.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Not Specified

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.