NPI Project Engineer

Job Title: NPI Project Engineer
Location: North Reading, MA
Duration: 12-month contract
Payrate: $80 to $90 per hour

Job Description:
We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented NPI Project Engineer to lead the end-to-end execution of small to medium cross-functional product development projects—from ideation through design, prototyping and production ramp. With an emphasis on mechanical and electrical hardware design, you will help facilitate multidisciplinary teams from engineering and operations to drive new product introduction (NPI), and ongoing engineering initiatives. This is a high-impact role with a tactical [NB1] focus reporting to the Engineering management team.

Responsibilities:

• Track and drive to closure the implementation of all NPI changes – close the loop
• Coordinate prototype ordering, component procurement, builds, pilot runs, and initial production launches
• Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability and assembly (DFM/DFA)
• Coordinate with the test and manufacturing support teams for robust reliability and operation
• Coordinating and defining requirements with DV testing and reliability engineering
• Coordinating upgrades and rework of new and existing systems/sub-assemblies, relating to the field and customer sites
• Partner with manufacturing and engineering to resolve issues and minimize risk during NPI and product changes
• Organize the transfer of design documents between the engineering team and the operations team
• Track and drive to closure the implementation of all NPI changes – close the loop.
• Partner with manufacturing and engineering to find solutions to minimize issues in NPI and product changes.
• Work with senior leadership to set manufacturing priorities and costs associated with for NPI and changes
• Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure products are designed for manufacturability and assembly.
• Coordinate prototype ordering, purchasing components as needed, prototype builds, pilot runs, and initial production launches .
• Proactive, self-motivated, resilient, and eager to grow through challenges.
• Demonstrates strong organizational abilities, meticulous attention to detail, and a results-driven approach.
• Strong skills in project planning tools (Gantt, kanban) and visual management systems.
• Highly effective user of Client 365 Tools (Excel, Teams, CoPilot, Project, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Utilize visual management tools (dashboards, Kanban, etc.) for team communication and accountability.
• Track and report on key project metrics.

Must Have:

• Demonstrates strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a results-driven mindset
• Proactive, self-motivated, resilient, and eager to grow through challenges
• Highly effective user of Client 365 tools
• Strong skills in project planning tools
• Results-driven mindset
• Knowledge of electrical and mechanical products and components
• Experience integrating products at a prototype level and getting them ready for production
• Able to travel less than 10% of the time
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience in manufacturing engineering, product development, or NPI roles.
• Experience working directly with suppliers to get quotes, get material on order, drive timely deliveries of parts.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project Management or Engineering degree or education with equivalent experience
• Work directly with vendors
• Experience in managing Engineer Change Notices / Factory Change Notices with and Engineering Change Order management tool (PDM, Teamcenter, etc)