Director, NPI/NPD Engineering - Defense Search

TalentZok

San Diego, CA

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
$185,000–$235,000 Per Year
SKILLS
Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Aerospace Engineering, Aerospace and Defense, Agile Programming Methodologies, Cadence, Communication Skills, Cross-Functional, DFT (Design for Test), DoD Clearance, Documentation, Documentation Standards, Due Diligence, ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), Electrical Engineering, Electricity, Electronics, Embedded Systems, Engineering, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Leadership, Maintain Compliance, Manufacturing, Manufacturing Design, Manufacturing/Industrial Processes, Mechanical Engineering, Mergers and Acquisitions, Microwaves, Military/DoD Standards, Operational Strategy, Power Amplifier, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Process Development, Product/Service Launch, Project Management Professional (PMP), Project/Program Coordination, Project/Program Management, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Control, Quality Management, Radio Frequency, Resource Management, Risk, Risk Management, SAP PLM, Safety Compliance, Safety Standards, Sales/Support Engineering (SE), Security Clearance, Status Reports, Team Lead/Manager, Technical Sales, Technology Sales, Test Readiness Review (TRR), Time Management, Windchill PLM Software
LOCATION
San Diego, CA
POSTED
17 days ago
Director, NPI/NPD Engineering – Defense Search
OVERVIEW
Are you looking for a new career opportunity with an exciting Defense/Aerospace company?! Then we've got the right team for you! In this role, you're responsible for the duties listed below.
 
Immediate opening for a Director, NPI/NPD Engineering in San Diego, CA who possesses:  
  • Degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Aerospace, or closely related technical field (Advanced degrees are a plus)
  • 10+ years of progressive engineering experience with at least 5 in NPI, NPD, or engineering program management roles
  • Background in space/defense electronics, RF/microwave hardware, power electronics, or hi-rel components
  • Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment is preferred
  • Strong working knowledge of NPI processes
  • US person status required (ITAR/EAR compliance) 
 
Email resumes to aencarnacion@defensesearchusa.com and call 858.427.3668
  
FULL DESCRIPTION: Seeking a Director of NPI/NPD Engineering to provide strategic and operational oversight across all three Phase 1 Growth Engines. Reporting directly to the COO, this leader will be the single point of accountability for New Process Introduction (NPI) and New Process Development (NPD) execution across a portfolio spanning Hi-Rel space-grade fuse components, RF modules and assemblies, and 800VDC+ power conditioning systems.
This is a high-visibility, high-impact role. The Director will own two direct and will exercise functional oversight over NPI/NPD engineering resources embedded. The goal is consistent NPI/NPD process discipline, roadmap coherence, and on-time delivery across all three engines as we build a compelling revenue roadmap for potential acquirers.
 
The selected candidate will be responsible for:   
Cross-Engine NPI/NPD Leadership
  • Establish and govern a consistent New Process Introduction (NPI) and New Process Development (NPD) framework across, adapting for product type (fuse/space-grade vs. RF modules vs. 800V power) while maintaining audit-ready process documentation standards.
  • Own the integrated NPI/NPD process schedule across all three engines; report program status, risks, and milestones directly to the COO on a regular cadence.
  • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and Design for Reliability (DFR) reviews across all OpCos at key program gates to ensure process readiness.
  • Ensure NPI/NPD process handoff protocols (process freeze, FAI, PRR, production readiness) are executed consistently and documented for investor/acquirer review.
Engine 1
  • Directly manage the LEO Fuse NPI Engineer and LEO Fuse NPD Engineer — the only two direct reports in Phase 1.
  • Own the LEO fuse process development roadmap from process requirements capture through process verification and NPI handoff to manufacturing.
  • Ensure compliance with space-grade and safety-critical standards (MIL-STD, ECSS, NASA-STD, ITAR/EAR) on all fuse programs.
  • Interface with program managers and customers at PDR, CDR, and TRR milestones.
Engine 2 — RF Modules & Passives / REN-MA (Functional Oversight)
  • Provide functional NPI/NPD process leadership to the REN-MA engineering team without formal direct reporting authority.
  • Align the RF NPI process with company standards; ensure qualification plans, first-article documentation, and supplier coordination meet program requirements.
  • Coordinate with REN-MA site leadership on resource allocation, schedule, and technical risk on RF filter, amplifier, and converter programs.
Engine 3 — 800VDC+ Power Conditioning
  • Exercise functional oversight over three NPI Engineers in China (process development, manufacturing process, quality/reliability).
  • Establish NPI process workflows, quality control plan templates, and process documentation standards aligned with company corporate requirements.
  • Manage cross-cultural engineering coordination; partner with management to resolve schedule and quality issues.
Commercial & Strategic Support
  • Partner with the Field Applications Engineer / Tech Sales (cross-engine commercial role) to translate customer requirements into NPI/NPD process program inputs.
  • Support company leadership in preparing engineering process program documentation and roadmap materials for strategic buyer presentations and due diligence.
  • Contribute to identifying and mitigating engineering process risk that could affect company valuation or acquirer readiness.
 
The selected candidate will also possess:  
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related technical field (Master's preferred).
  • 10+ years of progressive engineering experience with at least 5 years in New Process Introduction (NPI), New Process Development (NPD), or engineering program management roles.
  • Demonstrated experience managing or leading NPI/NPD process programs across multiple product lines or business units simultaneously.
  • Background in one or more of the following domains: space/defense electronics, RF/microwave hardware, power electronics, or safety-critical / Hi-Rel components.
  • Strong working knowledge of NPI process disciplines: DFM/DFT/DFR, FMEA, first article inspection (FAI), production readiness reviews (PRR), and MIL-spec/space qualification standards.
  • Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams without direct authority — influencing process program outcomes across geographically distributed OpCos.
  • Excellent executive communication skills; comfortable briefing COO-level and board-level stakeholders.
  • US Person status required (ITAR/EAR compliance); active DoD security clearance preferred.
Preferred
  • Experience in a PE-backed or M&A-active environment; familiarity with engineering due diligence or acquirer readiness documentation.
  • Exposure to international engineering operations, including China-based manufacturing or engineering teams.
  • PMP, APQP, or equivalent program/quality management certification.
  • Experience with ERP/PLM systems (SAP, Agile, Windchill, or equivalent) across multiple sites.
  • Familiarity with space-grade component qualification standards (MIL-STD-975, ECSS, NASA-STD) and/or RF/microwave hardware qualification.
 
Salary Range: $185,000 – 235,000/year
For immediate and confidential consideration, please email your resume to

aencarnacion@defensesearchusa.com

or call 858.427.3668.
More information can be found at www.defensesearchusa.com


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