Manufacturing Engineer/NPI Engineer

Chefman is one of North America's leading brands of small kitchen appliances, committed to building best-in-class products that make cooking accessible and enjoyable. In 2020, we launched CHEF iQ — an ecosystem of connected smart kitchen appliances designed to transform how the world cooks through intuitive guided cooking experiences and IoT-enabled technology. About the Role We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer / NPI Engineer to drive consumer hardware products from early prototyping through tooling and into high-volume mass production. You will serve as the primary engineering link between our US-based design teams, TPMs, and overseas manufacturing partners. This is a highly cross‑functional, travel‑intensive role requiring deep expertise in manufacturing processes, tooling validation, and root‑cause failure analysis. Responsibilities Drive NPI from early prototype through tooling validation and into high‑volume mass production, ensuring quality, cost, and timing targets are met at every milestone Serve as the primary engineering liaison between US design teams, TPMs, and China manufacturing partners across all phases of production Review and approve factory SOPs, quality control plans, and assembly and test fixtures to ensure alignment with product specifications and Chefman standards Monitor daily production yields, analyze FPY data, and implement CAPA with factory quality teams to drive continuous improvement Lead technical deep‑dives into component and system‑level failures — including thermal, mechanical, and cosmetic issues — using 8D methodologies to identify root causes and prevent recurrence Support tooling development and validation including injection molding, sheet metal, and electromechanical components Develop and maintain manufacturing process documentation including BOMs, work instructions, assembly procedures, and process flow diagrams Collaborate with quality teams to define inspection criteria, testing protocols, and acceptance standards Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing or NPI engineering, preferably in consumer electronics or small appliances Bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English — required; ability to communicate technical concepts fluently in both languages on the factory floor is essential Must be US‑based (Mahwah, NJ preferred) with ability to travel to China 50–75% of the time for extended factory stays Proficiency in SolidWorks or CREO Hands‑on experience with injection molding, plastics, sheet metal, and electromechanical assembly processes Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis using 8D, 5‑Why, or Fishbone methodologies Strong working knowledge of FPY metrics, CAPA processes, and production quality systems Strong understanding of GD&T, DFMEA, and quality control methodologies Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP/PLM systems is a plus Familiarity with IoT or connected product manufacturing is a strong plus What We Offer The opportunity to work on innovative connected kitchen appliances at a fast‑growing consumer brand A collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your work directly impacts the products consumers use every day Competitive compensation, international travel support, and room to grow with a company redefining the kitchen experience Salary Range (commensurate with experience) $95,000 - $120,000 USD #J-18808-Ljbffr