Staff NPI Engineer: Lead Complex Hardware Launches

PDW; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS medical

401(k) match

On-site gym

Life insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Performance Drone Works (PDW) in Huntsville, AL seeks a Staff NPI Engineer to define production-readiness standards and guide complex new products from development to scalable manufacturing. This senior IC will shape architecture decisions and set the technical gating criteria for successful handoff.

You will lead prototype builds, drive cross-functional problem solving, mentor engineers, and coordinate with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering.
• 9+ years in NPI or hardware engineering with complex launches.
• Proven success guiding hardware products from development to production ramp.
• Deep expertise in DFM/DFA, process development, BOMs.
• Ability to analyze build data to assess readiness and risks.
• Ability to set technical standards and influence architecture.
• Experience leading cross-functional problem solving across Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers.
• Capability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own NPI strategy and production-readiness standards.
• Act as senior authority for manufacturability and scalability.
• Define readiness criteria, gates, and evidence for transition.
• Lead complex prototype and pilot builds and drive closure.
• Architect manufacturing approaches, tooling, fixtures, tests.
• Resolve cross-functional technical issues with teams and suppliers.
• Own launch-phase yield and process risk through stabilization.
• Identify long-range production risks and mitigation strategies.
• Establish NPI methods, metrics, and handoff practices.
• Mentor engineers and raise technical capability.

Skills

NPI strategy

DFM/DFA

Process development

Production readiness

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven decisions

Technical mentorship

System integration

Security clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

ERP/PLM systems

Job description

Performance Drone Works (PDW) in Huntsville, AL seeks a Staff NPI Engineer to define production-readiness standards and guide complex new products from development to scalable manufacturing. This senior IC will shape architecture decisions and set the technical gating criteria for successful handoff.

You will lead prototype builds, drive cross-functional problem solving, mentor engineers, and coordinate with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to