NPI Manager

C/A Design Inc.; Exeter (NH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

PTO

Relocation assistance

Education reimbursement

401(k) matching

Job summary

C/A Design Inc. seeks an NPI Manager to lead cross-functional initiatives within New Product Development and Rapid Prototyping through CARIS.

The role drives planning, coordination, and execution of new product programs from prototype to production readiness, coordinating resources, timelines, and risks to ensure customer satisfaction and successful program outcomes. This leader will align customer needs with Business Development, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and internal teams, fostering a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years in new product development, business development, or innovation roles (Defense/Aerospace/Automotive preferred).
• Proven track record delivering complex cross-functional product development programs from concept to launch.
• Strong tollgate, business case development, and commercialization understanding.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing across levels.
• Ability to manage budgets, resources, timelines, and risk in a matrix environment.
• Proficiency with project/program management tools (MS Project, Smartsheet, ERP) and MS Office.
• PMP or equivalent certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional initiatives within New Product Development and Rapid Prototyping.
• Drive planning, coordination, and execution of new product programs from prototype to production readiness.
• Coordinate resources, manage timelines and priorities, and mitigate risks.
• Ensure alignment between customers, Business Development, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and stakeholders.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for the Rapid Prototyping Work Cell.
• Monitor program progress, identify delays or constraints, and drive timely resolution.
• Maintain information, materials, tooling, and programs for machinists and resources.
• Support prototype builds, first-piece inspections, FAI activities, and transitions to production.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing Eng to support technical requirements and process changes.
• Track key metrics related to schedule, quality, throughput, and program performance.
• Support Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Handle payroll approvals, time-off scheduling, goal setting, performance tracking, and evaluations.
• Coach and develop employees while maintaining accountability.
• Communicate program status, priorities, resources, and risks to customers and leadership.
• Support customer meetings, program reviews, and other program communications.
• Help manage changes, risks, and issues throughout product development.
• Mentor project teams and improve CARIS and NPI processes.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Budget management

Influencing skills

Project coordination

Problem solving

MS Project/Smartsheet

ERP/MRP systems

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or related field

Tools

MS Project

Smartsheet

ERP/MRP Systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Summary

The NPI Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives within New Product Development and Rapid Prototyping through CARIS (C/A Rapid Implementation Solution). This role is responsible for driving the successful planning, coordination, and execution of new product programs from prototype through production readiness. The NPI Manager will coordinate resources, manage timelines and priorities, mitigate risks, and ensure alignment between the customer, Business Development, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and related stakeholders to support successful program execution and customer satisfaction. This leader will be expected to embrace and exhibit our culture of honesty, integrity, and good corporate citizenship.

• Strive toward a culture of proactive safety.
• As a leader, build a culture of integrity and openness. Exemplify the highest standard of conduct and ethical behavior.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for employees within the Rapid Prototyping Work Cell.
• Coordinate priorities, resources, schedules, and workflow for prototype and NPI activities.
• Serve as a key liaison between CARIS, customers, Business Development, Engineering, Programming, Quality, Planning, Production, and other internal teams.
• Work with customers and Business Development to understand program requirements, priorities, timelines, and expectations.
• Facilitate communication between customers and internal teams to ensure requirements and changes are understood and addressed.
• Coordinate with other value stream leaders when additional processes or capabilities are required.
• Monitor program progress, identify potential delays or constraints, and help drive timely resolution.
• Ensure machinists and supporting resources have the information, materials, tooling, and programs needed to complete work.
• Support prototype builds, first-piece inspections, FAI activities, and transitions to production.
• Work with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to support technical requirements and process changes.
• Support the transition of prototypes into repeatable production processes.
• Track key metrics related to schedule, quality, throughput, and program performance.
• Support Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Complete supervisory responsibilities including payroll approvals, time-off scheduling, goal setting, performance tracking, and annual evaluations.
• Coach and develop employees while maintaining accountability for performance.
• Communicate program status, priorities, resource needs, and risks to customers, Business Development, and internal leadership.
• Support customer meetings, program reviews, and other program communications.
• Help manage changes, risks, and issues throughout the product development process.
• Mentor project teams and support continuous improvement of CARIS and NPI processes.

$2,500 Sign-On Bonus!

Summary

The NPI Manager will lead cross-functional initiatives within New Product Development and Rapid Prototyping through CARIS (C/A Rapid Implementation Solution). This role is responsible for driving the successful planning, coordination, and execution of new product programs from prototype through production readiness. The NPI Manager will coordinate resources, manage timelines and priorities, mitigate risks, and ensure alignment between the customer, Business Development, Engineering, Quality, Operations, and related stakeholders to support successful program execution and customer satisfaction. This leader will be expected to embrace and exhibit our culture of honesty, integrity, and good corporate citizenship.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Strive toward a culture of proactive safety.
• As a leader, build a culture of integrity and openness. Exemplify the highest standard of conduct and ethical behavior.
• Provide day-to-day leadership for employees within the Rapid Prototyping Work Cell.
• Coordinate priorities, resources, schedules, and workflow for prototype and NPI activities.
• Serve as a key liaison between CARIS, customers, Business Development, Engineering, Programming, Quality, Planning, Production, and other internal teams.
• Work with customers and Business Development to understand program requirements, priorities, timelines, and expectations.
• Facilitate communication between customers and internal teams to ensure requirements and changes are understood and addressed.
• Coordinate with other value stream leaders when additional processes or capabilities are required.
• Monitor program progress, identify potential delays or constraints, and help drive timely resolution.
• Ensure machinists and supporting resources have the information, materials, tooling, and programs needed to complete work.
• Support prototype builds, first-piece inspections, FAI activities, and transitions to production.
• Work with Engineering and Manufacturing Engineering to support technical requirements and process changes.
• Support the transition of prototypes into repeatable production processes.
• Track key metrics related to schedule, quality, throughput, and program performance.
• Support Lean, 5S, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Complete supervisory responsibilities including payroll approvals, time-off scheduling, goal setting, performance tracking, and annual evaluations.
• Coach and develop employees while maintaining accountability for performance.
• Communicate program status, priorities, resource needs, and risks to customers, Business Development, and internal leadership.
• Support customer meetings, program reviews, and other program communications.
• Help manage changes, risks, and issues throughout the product development process.
• Mentor project teams and support continuous improvement of CARIS and NPI processes.

Qualifications And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Science, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in new product development, business development, or innovation roles (preferably in a relevant industry such as Defense, Aerospace or Automotive manufacturing ).
• Proven track record of successfully delivering complex, cross-functional product development programs from concept to launch.
• Strong understanding of tollgate or similar NPD processes, business case development, and commercialization.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills across all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, resources, timelines, and risk in a matrix environment.
• Proficiency with project/program management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet, orequivalent), ERP/MRP Systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• PMP, or equivalent certification preferred

What We Offer

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Additional 40 hours of Sick Time
• Paid Parental Leave
• Competitive 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions
• Education reimbursement program for professional development
• Relocation assistance for eligible roles
• Climate-controlled facility
• Subsidized vending and on-site break areas
• Complimentary coffee and refreshments
• Clean, modern work environment with advanced equipment and technology
• Opportunities for career growth within a stable, growing aerospace manufacturing organization

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the work shift.
• Ability to frequently use hands and fingers to operate machine controls, tools, and measuring instruments.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and components weighing up to 40 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and reach as required to load, unload, and inspect parts and equipment.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions involving the hands, wrists, and arms.
• Ability to visually inspect parts, interpret and read blueprints, technical drawings, work instructions, and use gauges, and measuring devices.
• Ability to distinguish colors, dimensions, and surface defects when performing quality inspections.
• Ability to hear and communicate effectively in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to safely operate equipment in a fast-paced production setting while wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, and other equipment as required.
• Ability to work in an environment with exposure to machine noise, metal chips, cutting fluids, lubricants, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to maintain regular attendance and work scheduled shifts, including overtime as required.

Work Environment

• Manufacturing environment with exposure to moving mechanical equipment.
• Frequent interaction with machine tools, raw materials, and finished products.
• Compliance with all company safety policies, housekeeping requirements, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD) prevention practices.
• Required use of appropriate PPE and adherence to all safety procedures.

Essential Functions Disclaimer

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

About Heico

Heico has a history of success. Since its founding over 40 years ago The Heico Companies has grown from a single business to over 80 separate companies through a strategic acquisition policy, and by reinvesting its earnings into internal growth and new prospects. Historically talented at restoring distressed companies, Heico now strategically targets acquisitions that will complement its ever-growing portfolio of companies in manufacturing, construction, and industrial services.

These four core operations are organized into groups: Metal Processing Group, Construction Solutions Group, Applied Solutions Group, and Industrial Technologies Group. Once acquired, new Heico companies are assigned to a group and run on a stand-alone basis, allowing for great independence as well as the opportunity to share knowledge about markets, production processes, and management practices across other Heico groups and companies. Each Group has its own corporate team.

Heico continues to seek out new opportunities and maintain its standard of success. The Heico Companies has remained a privately held company since its creation and maintains a majority ownership in each of its operations, which generates more than $3.3 billion dollars in revenues. Many of our businesses are certified Woman-owned Business Enterprises (WBE).

More information about the holding company and overall organization can be found at www.heicocompanies.com.

E/O/V