Quest Global is hiring: NPI Engineer - Aerospace and Defence in Illinois City

Job Title: NPI Engineer - Aerospace and Defence 

Location: Illinois City, IL USA (Hybrid/Remote)

50 to 70% - Need travel between Illinois City, IL, Kokomo, IN and O’Fallon, MO 

Specification

We are recruiting for an NPI Engineer (New Product Introduction) to join and established Manufacturing business based in the Midwest area of US. The NPI Engineer will create long-term relationships with customers ensuring that expectations are met by improving efficiency with strong skills in service delivery. This role will play an integral part in NPI by supporting new products implementation and the launch of new projects for a customer and their suppliers. This role will focus primarily on NPI, Capacity, Producibility, Problem solving and Lean processes for new product introductions.

Responsibilities

• Act as primary liaison on NPI for the customer and their suppliers.
• Working on multiple projects simultaneously with a global projects team.
• Assist the effective implementation and distribution of new products for the suppliers, as well as handling launch aspects and verifying that quality control complies with all project requirements.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, and teams including engineering, quality assurance, and others. Working and coordinating with third parties.
• Work closely with the suppliers NPI activities within their organization to define, develop and launch a new or improved product.
• Analyse and recommend improvements to all production processes and methods to facilitate cost reduction and quality improvement. 
• Set an overall Operational NPI plan, Set Ops KPI's, Track and follow project progress, manage risk and report accordingly.
• Provide analytical leadership, a level of project management, technical and quality knowledge to all aspects of product analytics.
• Develop manufacturing plans for assigned material. Topics include raw and finished goods material planning, ramp/capacity planning, roadmap, etc.
• Assist the NPI methodologies, interfaces, and process within the operation matrix to ensure smooth product introduction.
• Assist in directing and controlling processes in accordance with defined policies and procedures and assist with analyses and audits of processes to make recommendations on such items as safety, quality, cost, waste reductions, and efficiency.
• Influence manufacturing, ensuring readiness of all major new product material.
• Identifying manufacturing risks/bottlenecks and provide solutions using manufacturing methods for problem solving and driving projects.
• Work with and assist the NPI manager.

The above is a selection of responsibilities, there may be other tasks not listed that will be expected to support the changing business needs.

Work Experience

• Aerospace engineering experience
• Strong communication skills
• Able to communicate in English, written & verbally.
• Willingness to support others.
• Analytical thinker with interpersonal skills
• Project management
• Good organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize.
• NPI experience.
• Lean/Continuous Improvement process experience essential (Kaizen, SMED, Kanban, 5S)
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings.
• Familiar with quality operations PPAP/APQP or equivalent
• Able to project manage quality aspects to NPI and Prototype manufacture.
• Able to optimize methods of manufacturing and layout of tooling/machines.
• Flexible approach to working hours when required (potential weekend foreign travel)
• Must have driving license and vehicle. Must have a valid passport.
• This position involves traveling within the Midwest area in US and a possibility in other countries.