Staff NPI Engineer

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission; Mountain View, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 139,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Aurora is seeking a Staff NPI Engineer to shepherd hardware from concept review to low-volume manufacturing. You will guide manufacturing processes, support module assemblies, and ensure quality across prototype to production transitions.

The role requires extensive experience with optical alignment, DFx, and working with contract manufacturers. Based in Mountain View, CA, this hybrid position involves global collaboration and periodic travel.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years experience in an engineering role
• Experience in high-volume production environments is required
• Bonus points for consumer electronics or automotive industry experience
• Experience launching hardware products through product life cycle
• Experience with optical alignment processes and interconnects
• Proficient in SPC, 6 sigma, quality control processes

Responsibilities

• Drive manufacturing assembly and process initiatives for multiple modules across builds
• Ensure end-to-end assembly readiness for complex sensor pods systems
• Provide feedback on manufacturing requirements and quality assurance
• Develop hardware standards and process guidelines
• Own control plans and manufacturing BOM transfer to production floor
• Organize cross-functional design reviews and Kaizen activities
• Support manufacturing with process documentation and troubleshooting
• Attend status meetings with Aurora team 2–3 times per week
• Lead/participate in rapid problem solving for prototype and production challenges
• Coordinate with contract manufacturers and internal teams
• Travel internationally 20-35% around line bring-up
• Support and guide APQP phases for manufacturing processes

Skills

High-volume production

Automotive experience

Optical alignment

3D CAD

Arena/PLM

Tools

PDM/PLM Arena

Job description

Aurora’s mission is to deliver the benefits of self-driving technology safely, quickly, and broadly.

The Aurora Driver will create a new era in mobility and logistics, one that will bring a safer, more efficient, and more accessible future to everyone.

At Aurora, you will tackle massively complex problems alongside other passionate, intelligent individuals, growing as an expert while expanding your knowledge. For the latest news from Aurora, visit aurora.tech or follow us on LinkedIn .

What we are looking for

Aurora hires talented people with diverse backgrounds who are ready to help build a transportation ecosystem that will make our roads safer, get crucial goods where they need to go, and make mobility more efficient and accessible for all. We’re searching for a Staff NPI Engineer.

The NPI Engineer is responsible for shepherding hardware from concept review to low-volume manufacturing. They guide design engineers in selecting appropriate manufacturing processes and are on the floor through each build to deliver finished vehicle integrations, electronic sensors and modules, and computers.

In this role, you will

Drive manufacturing assembly and process initiatives for multiple Aurora modules across multiple builds and sustaining efforts in production

Ensure end-to-end assembly process readiness for complex sensor pods systems at manufacturing partners.

Provide feedback on manufacturing and service requirements, process control plans, and quality assurance. Develop hardware standards and process guidelines.

Drive/Support control plans and necessary documentation to transfer HW from design to the production floor

Create, support, and maintain work instructions, standard operating procedures, forms, records, checklists, process sequence/routing, Process Flow Diagrams (PFD), PFMEAs, and other required manufacturing documentation

Act as a liaison between the module, integration and electrical teams and cross‑functional teams for planning, logistics, and ad hoc requests.

Yield analysis monitoring and drive continuous improvement initiatives for NPI production lines, ensure optimal yield and efficiency to achieve capacity and cost target.

Maintain products’ quality by improving design and manufacturing process as well as equipment stability.

Provide onsite engineering support: technical ownership and support for process or equipment issues.

Conduct multidisciplinary rapid problem‑solving activities and propose solutions to both prototype and production manufacturing challenges, such as Design for Excellence (DFX) input, e.g., Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Design for Cost/Procurement (DFC/DFP), Design for Inspection/Test (DFI/T), Design for Service/Repair/Maintenance (DFS/R/M)

Work cross functionally with onsite Aurora and Contract Manufacturing teams

Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for daily status and MFG initiatives

Attend and report status at morning conference calls with Aurora team 2-3 times per week

Provide feedback on manufacturing and service requirements, process control plans, and quality assurance. Develop hardware standards and design guidelines.

Own control plans, manufacturing BOM, and necessary documentation to transfer HW from design to the production floor, whether internal or external.

Review data packages before they are released for manufacturing.

Support and guide the manufacturing team through all phases of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP); particularly the later phases associated with designing and developing the manufacturing process and validating the Process / Product (i.e., MSAs, production trial runs, Run @ Rate, PPAPs, control plans)

Research manufacturing fabrication and processes new to the company and guide design engineers on their use. Create Requests for Quotation/Proposal when necessary.

Act as a liaison between the module, integration and electrical teams and cross‑functional teams for planning, logistics, and ad hoc requests. Organize cross‑functional design reviews.

Lead or participate in Kaizen activities to ensure continuous improvement in processes, products, components, raw materials, and equipment

Quickly come‑up‑to speed on new technologies and engineering challenges

Work with internal production and external Contract Manufacturers.

International Travel 20-35%. Concentrated around line bring‑up.

Evening Conference calls with Contract Manufacturers in Asia 2-3 times a week.

Required Qualifications

Minimum of 10 years experience in engineering role with experience working in high volume production environments.

Bonus points for experience in consumer electronics or the automotive industry.

Experience with launching hardware products and the product life cycle, and selecting the right‑sized process based on the needs of the program.

Experience in relevant fields – optical alignment process development, optical interconnect, chip‑to‑chip coupling, and FAU alignment

Participate in the process of bringing up a new technology from the R&D stage to high volume manufacturing.

Proficient in SPC, 6 sigma, quality control process; good understanding of machine and process interactions.

We are seeking applicants who demonstrate the ability to work independently, deliver results promptly, communicate effectively, operate with a sense of urgency, and thrive in a fast‑paced development and production environment.

Experience with working with supply chain and vendors, bonus points for experience in design engineering and new product introduction.

Working knowledge of GD&T.

Experience with 3D CAD and PDM/PLM, including Arena

Need to live in a high output constantly evolving environment wearing many hats that include everything from concepts to sustaining engineering.

Extensive design experience that can be leveraged to successfully work with cross‑functional partners like the internal design team and external Contract Manufacturers.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience in the automotive industry

Experience with optical, electro‑optical, and opto‑mechanical assembly and manufacture.

Knowledge in Flip Chip Packaging / multi‑chip module/ hybrid bonding / Optical Connector Assembly/ Optical Connector to chip attach.

Hands‑on experience working with packaging / bonding machines and optimizing process recipes.

Knowledgeable in DFx, FMEA process, and failure analysis methodologies.

Experience with materials, adhesives, thermal/mechanical interactions, and reliability considerations in optical hardware

Know‑how of yield analysis and process cycle time reduction methodology.

For roles based in Mountain View, CA: The salary range for this position is $139,000 - $247,000 per year.
Aurora’s pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, the successful candidate’s starting base pay will be determined based on factors including job‑related skills, experience, qualifications, relevant education or training, and market conditions. These ranges may be modified in the future. The successful candidate will also be eligible for an annual bonus, equity compensation, and benefits.

Working at Aurora

At Aurora, we bring together extraordinarily talented and experienced people united by the strength of our values. We operate with integrity, set outrageous goals, and build a culture where we win together — all without any jerks.

We believe in‑person work increases collaboration, empathy and our ability to lead effectively. As a result, we operate in a hybrid work environment where Aurorans are in office at least 3 days per week.

Our Careers page provides insight into what it is like to work at Aurora, and you can find all the latest updates in our Newsroom .

Our commitment to safety

At the core of everything we do is our commitment to safety. Building best‑in‑class self‑driving technology will take time, and we believe that each employee at Aurora has a role in contributing to safety, every step of the way. Aurora expects commitment to our safety policies from every employee, and seeks candidates who take an active responsibility, can contribute to building an atmosphere of trust, and invest in the organization’s long‑term success by prioritizing working safely, no matter what.

Our commitment to inclusion

Aurora considers candidates without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy status, parent or caregiver status, ancestry, political affiliation, veteran and/or military status, physical or mental disability, or any other status protected by federal or state law. Aurora considers qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We are also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [e-mail] .

For California applicants, information collected and processed as part of your application and any job applications you choose to submit is subject to Aurora’s California Employment Privacy Policy.