08 - NPI Specialist

General Overview

Functional Area:  ENG - Engineering
Career Stream:  NPI - New Product Introduction
Role:  Specialist
SAP Short Name:  SPE
Job Title:  NPI Specialist
Job Code:  SPE-ENG-NPI
Job Level:  Band 08
Direct/Indirect Indicator:  Indirect

Summary

We are seeking an experienced NPI (New Product Introduction) Specialist to leverage their in-depth expertise in engineering. In this role, you will address moderately complex problems that require analytical thinking and sound judgment. Your decisions will significantly impact departmental operations, schedules, and performance goals, and you will work with minimal supervision. You will collaborate with your manager on unusual challenges and seek approval for matters outside your role. Your work will be reviewed to ensure adherence to technical standards and effective problem-solving.

Detailed Description

Perform tasks such as, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide essential engineering support and coordination for prototype builds, ensuring timely and cost-effective completion of new assemblies.
• Facilitate smooth transitions from prototype to production by delivering constructive feedback to engineering and support teams.
• Review and interpret customer specifications, proposing solutions related to product architecture, schedules, technical risks, and resource requirements.
• Offer mechanical tool design support across all business units.
• Design and implement new manufacturing and testing processes to support capacity expansion projects.
• Develop and apply continuous flow concepts and Theory of Constraints methodologies to optimize product cycle times.
• Serve as the primary interface for program/project coordination during new product launches and introductions.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable factory activities, estimate activity timelines for pricing models, document factory support activities, and create preliminary program timelines for customer quotes.
• Process and coordinate engineering change orders (ECOs) for new product introduction (NPI) and mass production, ensuring all modifications are documented, evaluated for impact, and implemented effectively to meet production schedules and quality standards.

Knowledge/Skills/Competencies

• Comprehensive understanding of the design process for systems, printed circuit boards, and related subassemblies.
• In-depth knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment, and industry quality standards, including SPC methodologies.
• Familiarity with materials and components used in system construction, along with expertise in material science, robotics, and machine programming.
• Strong grasp of product pricing, contract negotiations, and customer relations.
• Excellent presentation, database management, and computer skills.
• Proficiency in statistical process control methods and techniques.
• Ability to design tests, evaluate results, and recommend process improvements for SMT manufacturing.
• Skills in diagnosing and troubleshooting complex issues.
• Strong knowledge of IT platforms, database design, and programming languages, including UNIX and NT.
• Ability to evaluate materials, analyze data, and determine root causes of problems.
• Capacity to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing deadlines effectively.
• Strong communication skills to engage with various internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Demands

• Duties of the position are performed in a manufacturing environment with frequent exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, operating machinery, temperature extremes, hazardous substances, etc.
• Duties may require extended periods of sitting and sustained visual concentration on a computer monitor or on numbers and other detailed data.
• Repetitive manual movements (e.g., data entry, using a computer mouse, using a calculator, etc.) are frequently required.

Typical Experience

• Three to six years of relevant experience

Typical Education

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Educational requirements may vary by geography.

Notes

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees are held accountable for all duties of the job. Job duties and the % of time identified for any function are subject to change at any time.