Job Title:  NPD and Continuous Improvement Engineer

The NPD and Continuous Improvement Engineer leads new product development and introduction activities, coordinating cross-functional resources to ensure manufacturing readiness, process approval, quality compliance, and documentation completion according to customer requirements and the division’s established cost and timing objectives.

This position also leads and supports cost-reduction, process optimization, automation, capacity, yield, and continuous improvement initiatives. The role collaborates closely with Engineering, Quality, Production, Purchasing, Planning, and other functions to ensure the successful and documented release of products and processes into production.

Responsibilities:

• Lead new product development and introduction projects, from the receipt of requirements through formal release to production.
• Develop and track project plans, deliverables, responsibilities, risks, launch schedules, and commitment dates.
• Coordinate launch activities with Engineering, Quality, Production, Purchasing, Planning, and other involved functions.
• Coordinate product qualification, testing, validation, approval, and production readiness activities.
• Lead cost-reduction and Value Analysis/Value Engineering, VAVE, projects.
• Participate actively in Operational Excellence, OPEX, initiatives.
• Lead process improvement, optimization, automation, capacity, yield, and artificial intelligence initiatives.
• Implement the tooling, fixtures, equipment, and resources required for new products and product transfers.
• Prepare, review, and maintain manufacturing, launch, and PPAP documentation.
• Coordinate pilot runs, process validations, evidence collection, and closure of findings before production release.
• Implement and verify Engineering Order Changes and Engineering Change Notices, ECO/ECN, ensuring that documentation is updated and affected functions are properly informed.
• Monitor launch deviations, risks, and corrective actions through documented closure.
• Participate in internal and customer reviews related to new product progress, validation, and approval.
• Complete the formal and documented handover of products and processes to Production.
• Support additional activities and projects assigned by the Supervisor or Operations Manager.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Electromechanical, Mechanical, Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
• Five years of experience in new product development, new product introduction, or a similar engineering position.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of materials, and customer requirements.
• Knowledge and practical application of Quality Core Tools, including APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans, SPC, and MSA.
• Knowledge of production approval and validation processes.
• Experience in project management and launch schedule tracking.
• Experience managing ECO/ECN engineering changes and document configuration control.
• Knowledge of process optimization, automation, capacity improvements, and yield improvement.
• Knowledge of ISO 9001, UL, and CSA requirements.
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to use AI tools to improve productivity, decision-making, work quality, and to reduce costs. The successful candidate must be able to identify appropriate AI use cases and critically evaluate AI-generated outputs
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Minitab, and ERP systems.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple projects.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to collaborate successfully with cross-functional teams.
• Results-oriented mindset with a strong commitment to continuous improvement and change management.
• Experience or interest in the development and implementation of artificial intelligence projects.