NPI Engineer | Precision Machining & Process Innovation

Actalent; Minnesota; On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer to lead product development from initial quote through process development into full production in a precision machining environment.

You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and customers to ensure robust, scalable processes, develop lean manufacturing SOPs, and maintain BOO/BOM structures in our ERP system. Experience in PFMEA, Gage R&R, and ISO environments is required.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in process development and improvement within a production manufacturing environment, preferably machining.
• Experience with NPI and process engineering for complex machined components.
• Lean manufacturing training or Six Sigma training with practical application.
• Experience in an ISO-regulated environment.
• PFMEA, control plans, and Gage R&R for validation and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Lead product and process development activities from quote to production launch.
• Collaborate with customers to provide manufacturability feedback and influence design for manufacturing.
• Coordinate NPI activities across cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, and sales.
• Develop process variables for machining and secondary operations to ensure repeatable manufacturing outcomes.
• Create and maintain BOO and BOM structures within the ERP system.
• Assist in NPI control plans, PFMEA, qualification activities, and Gage R&R studies.
• Own the first‑run manufacturing process and ensure outputs meet targets.
• Design, document, and improve processes, procedures, and work instructions.
• Create and execute engineering tests to validate processes, tooling, and fixtures.
• Assist in CNC toolpath design and programming methodologies for complex components.
• Design tools, fixtures, and work-holding solutions for precision machining.
• Support costing and quoting with process assumptions and cycle times.
• Drive lean improvements with manufacturing teams.
• Collaborate with sales to align process capabilities with customer needs.
• Coordinate activities between multiple sites for NPI projects and transfers.

Skills

Process development

Machining

NPI

Lean manufacturing

ERP systems

PFMEA/Gage R&R

Fixturing & tooling

ISO environment

CAD software

MS Word/Excel

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Associate degree + 5 years experience

Tools

CAM software

CAD software

Job description

Actalent is seeking an New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer to lead product development from initial quote through process development into full production in a precision machining environment.

You will collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and customers to ensure robust, scalable processes, develop lean manufacturing SOPs, and maintain BOO/BOM structures in our ERP system. Experience in PFMEA, Gage R&R, and ISO environments is required.