NPI Manufacturing Engineer — Drive Production Readiness & Impact

Draper Labs; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Employee clubs

Discounts to museums

Job summary

Draper is seeking an NPI Manufacturing Engineer to join the Manufacturing Operations team in Cambridge, MA. This role bridges Production, Supply Chain, and Program teams to ensure operational excellence from proposal through LRIP.

You'll lead manufacturing planning, support PFMEA and design for manufacturing, and collaborate across disciplines to optimize readiness and supplier activities. A Secret clearance is preferred.

Qualifications

• Understanding of NPI and transition-to-production practices.
• Ability to work cross-functionally (manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, quality) with competing priorities.
• Some experience developing and managing manufacturing plans, cost estimates, and schedules.
• Knowledge of defense/aerospace hardware production is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Be part of Operations support for programs across the product lifecycle, with a focus on emerging programs.
• Collaborate with Operations content in proposals, including cost, schedule, support Basis of Estimates for proposals and manufacturing approaches, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with New Product Introduction (NPI) requirements.
• Collaborate between Operations and assigned programs, driving execution for all operations scope activities.
• Support production readiness by leading manufacturing planning, bid & proposal inputs, PFMECA, design for manufacturing considerations, tooling/fixturing plans, limited life material plan, and Production Readiness Reviews (PRR).
• Partner with supply chain teams to confirm procurement plans, document make/buy decisions and establish complete supplier Statements of Work (SOWs).
• Evaluate supplier Manufacturing Readiness Package (MRP) to support make/buy decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement into Operations activities, advancing efficiency, quality, and delivery performance.

Skills

NPI knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing planning

Cost estimates

Design for manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or other relevant field

Job description

Draper is seeking an NPI Manufacturing Engineer to join the Manufacturing Operations team in Cambridge, MA. This role bridges Production, Supply Chain, and Program teams to ensure operational excellence from proposal through LRIP.

You'll lead manufacturing planning, support PFMEA and design for manufacturing, and collaborate across disciplines to optimize readiness and supplier activities. A Secret clearance is preferred.