NPI Engineer, II

Spectrum Killian; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance in Santa Ana, CA is seeking an experienced New Product Integration Engineer II to translate concepts into scalable, production-ready manufacturing systems. You'll drive pilot builds, validate processes, and enable rapid commercialization with a focus on quality and cost targets.

You will collaborate cross-functionally with Innovation, Product Development, Operations, Quality, and Customer Service to ensure smooth transitions from concept to repeatable

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or related engineering required.
• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing or product development environments.
• Lean/Six Sigma Belt certification is a plus.
• Experience with CAD, DFM, PFMEA, and digital workflow systems.
• Familiarity with process validation and capability studies (Cp/Cpk).

Responsibilities

• Support integration of new products and processes into existing manufacturing systems.
• Participate in engineering builds, product and process trials, and validation activities.
• Collect and analyze pilot data; identify defects, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Define, obtain buy-off, and track milestones for scale-up and process validations.
• Develop and maintain SOPs, work instructions, test plans, BOMs, and training docs.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Data analysis

Problem solving

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical/industrial/manufacturing engineering

Tools

CAD

PFMEA

DFM

Lean Six Sigma

DMAIC

A3 problem solving

Job description

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance (SKDLA) is a nationally recognized leader in restorative dentistry, passionate about helping people smile with confidence. We partner with dental professionals across the country to deliver world-class restorations, advanced dental equipment, and trusted services that make a difference for patients every day.

At SKDLA, we combine craftsmanship, cutting-edge technology, and a deep commitment to quality to create beautiful, lasting results. More than just a dental lab, we are driven by the belief that every restoration represents a person’s confidence, comfort, and well-being - and that’s a responsibility we take to heart.

Our operations are centered around two advanced Centers of Excellence located in Orange County and Los Angeles. This collaborative environment allows our skilled technicians to innovate, mentor one another, and consistently deliver outstanding results.

Overview:

The New Product Integration, Engineer II is responsible for translating new product concepts, workflow innovations, and emerging technologies into scalable, production ready manufacturing systems. The role sits within the Integration Engine of the Smart Innovation and Integration organization and focuses on executing pilot builds, validating manufacturing processes, and supporting commercialization readiness.

This person ensures that the validated innovations and new product developments move efficiently through pilot production into stable, repeatable manufacturing processes while operating under the following doctrine:

Move Fast. Support rapid development cycles and pilot execution.

Fail Fast. Use pilot builds and validation runs to identify risks early.

Learn Fast. Analyze pilot data and manufacturing feedback to improve workflows.

Lock Stability Quickly. Support engineering phase gates and process validations prior to scale.

Protect Margin. Ensure labor, yield, and cycle time targets are achieved before commercialization.

We are looking for a hands-on, resourceful Engineer II that can work cross functionally with Innovation and Product Development teams, Operations, Quality, Customer Service, and Operational Excellence to ensure that new innovations and product developments transition efficiently from concept into repeatable and reliable production systems. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast paced start up like environment and who wants to be a part of shaping the foundation of a scalable and compliant manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities:

Integration Engineering

• Support the integration of new products and processes into existing manufacturing systems.
• Assist in translating innovation and product development team concepts into repeatable and reliable manufacturing processes.
• Participate in engineering builds, product and process trials, as well as validation activities.

Pilot Production, Manufacturing Development, and Scale-Up

• Execute pilot production runs to validate process capability and workflow design.
• Collect and analyze process data during pilot runs.
• Identify defects, root causes, and corrective actions during pilot runs.
• Support ensuring cost targets and margin expectations are met prior to launch.
• Support ensuring smooth transition and production readiness to full scale manufacturing by defining, getting buy-off, and meeting stability metrics for new product/process developments related to cycle time, yield, and process capability.

Process Development, Validation, and Documentation

• Support the development of manufacturing workflows, SOPs, Work Instructions (WIs), Test Plans, Labor Standards, Bill of Materials (BOM) structures, and Training documentation for Integration engineering projects.
• Support the implementation of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and product/process failure modes and effects analysis (PFMEA).
• Process capability studies (Cp/Cpk)
• Validation protocols and reports
• Equipment and tooling qualifications
• Support multiple integration projects simultaneously.
• Track project milestones and deliverables within the integration phase gate process.
• Assist with preparation of engineering review materials and technical documentation.

Process Optimization

• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency and reduce labor cost.
• Implement automation, workflow improvements, and digital process integrations.
• Investigate pilot production issues during pilot launch and serve as a consultant during early manufacturing ramp up.
• Apply structured Lean and Six Sigma tools as necessary.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or related engineering discipline required.
• Lean/Six Sigma Belt certification a plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in manufacturing or product development environments required.
• Integration in a fast-paced high volume manufacturing environment preferred.
• Manufacturing process development with automation/equipment integration preferred.
• Pilot production and process validations required.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments (FDA, ISO 13485, AS9100, or similar) a plus.
• Experience with CAD, Design for Manufacturability (DFM), PFMEA, and digital workflow systems to support scalable, high-quality production processes
• Proficiency in project management, documentation, and structured problem-solving (PDCA, DMAIC, or A3).
• Familiarity with process validation, capability studies (Cp/Cpk), and statistical analysis
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced engineering environment, leveraging strong data analysis and problem-solving skills, maintaining high accountability for project execution, communicating cross-functionally, and navigating moderate ambiguity

Why SKDLA?

• Inclusive Environment: We value diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming workplace for individuals of all backgrounds.
• Career Growth: Spectrum Killian is growing rapidly, offering new opportunities to advance within the company and across promoting internal mobility.
• Compensation and Benefits: We provide competitive pay and upon conversion to full-time status, employees are eligible to enroll in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• 401K: Full-time employees are also eligible to participate in the company’s 401(k) plan with an employer match.

Spectrum Killian Dental Lab Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $90,000-$120,000. Final compensation will be individually assessed and may differ based on a variety of factors such as your experience, qualifications, education, skill set, certifications, and other relevant considerations.