NPI Engineer

Our client is an engineering-driven manufacturer of industrial air movement systems serving manufacturing facilities, warehouses, distribution centers, and large commercial environments. The company designs and manufactures engineered products focused on performance, reliability, and real-world application. This is an opportunity to join a growing organization where you'll play a key role in driving product quality, manufacturing readiness, and successful new product introductions.

The Opportunity

Our client is seeking an NPI Quality Engineer to support new product introduction, manufacturing readiness, supplier quality, and production launch activities. This role will work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Suppliers to ensure quality systems, validation activities, inspection processes, and production controls are established and executed effectively from prototype through full production.

Responsibilities

• Support NPI activities from early builds through production ramp while coordinating cross-functional quality and manufacturing readiness activities
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Suppliers, and Manufacturing teams to proactively resolve launch and production quality issues
• Support customer quality requirements including audits, technical discussions, documentation reviews, and compliance activities
• Develop and maintain Control Plans, PFMEA documentation, and Design for Quality (DFQ) processes
• Prepare and review PPAP documentation, AS9102 First Article Inspection reports, and validation protocols including IQ/OQ/PQ
• Support supplier readiness activities including supplier audits, PPAP compliance, and qualification processes
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions utilizing 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Program and support CMM and visual inspection systems for dimensional and production inspection activities
• Develop inspection fixtures, test methods, and metrology processes supporting product validation and production quality
• Support production and Engineering teams in the analysis and interpretation of inspection and quality data
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality systems, metrology, process capability, and operational efficiency
• Support internal ISO audits and external supplier audits while maintaining compliance with customer and industry quality standards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or related technical discipline preferred
• 3+ years of manufacturing quality engineering experience within NPI, aerospace & defense, medical device, or highly regulated manufacturing environments
• 3+ years of CMM programming experience
• Strong experience with APQP, PPAP, GD&T, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, and AS9102 First Article Inspection processes
• Experience supporting customer, supplier, and third-party audit activities
• Experience supporting production launch, process validation, and production ramp activities
• Strong understanding of technical drawings, dimensional analysis, and GD&T interpretation
• Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies including 8D and 5-Why
• Knowledge of process capability studies including Cp/Cpk analysis
• Experience working within ERP, MES, and manufacturing quality systems preferred
• ASQ, GD&T, Lean/Six Sigma, or related certifications preferred

Why Join

• Opportunity to influence product quality and manufacturing readiness from concept through production
• High visibility across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and Supplier Quality functions
• Direct impact on product launches, customer satisfaction, and operational performance
• Strong ownership of quality systems, validation activities, supplier quality, and production readiness initiatives
• Collaborative engineering-driven culture focused on continuous improvement and execution

About Gradel Pro Search (GPS)

Gradel Pro Search (GPS) is an Industrial Search and Recruiting Services firm partnering with manufacturing, aerospace & defense, engineered products, chemicals, and industrial organizations to identify and align talent with critical business objectives.

Relationships. Guidance. Success.

We work with Fortune 500 companies, global enterprises, private equity-backed organizations, and growth-oriented manufacturers, navigating hiring across complex operational and technical environments.