NPI Quality Engineer

Position:

NPI Quality Engineer Location:

Nashua, NH

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented NPI Quality Engineer to serve as the primary advocate for quality from initial concept through mass production. This role acts as the "voice of the customer" within cross-functional teams, ensuring every new design is robust, compliant, and ready for a zero-defect launch. You will serve as a key liaison between our Nashua, NH site and our global manufacturing locations in Mexico, Vietnam, and China, ensuring seamless technical transfers and excellence in documentation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

NPI Quality Planning & Execution Create and maintain Quality Plans, Control Plans, and Inspection Plans for new products Perform and facilitate Design Reviews, DFMEA, and PFMEA activities Develop and help execute Design Verification and Validation (DV/PV) plans, including test method development and statistical analysis Lead FAI (First Article Inspection) submissions and approvals with customers and internal stakeholders Supplier & Process Quality Support supplier selection, qualification, and ongoing development for new components Conduct supplier process audits and PPAP reviews Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering on process capability studies (Cp/Cpk, Gage R&R) and production line qualification Risk Management & Problem Solving Identify, assess, and mitigate quality risks throughout the product lifecycle Lead root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions (8D, 5-Why, Fishbone, etc.) for NPI issues Capture and drive Lessons Learned and Best Practices into future programs Compliance & Continuous Improvement Ensure products meet applicable standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, AS9100, FDA, etc., depending on industry) Support internal and external audits (customer, certification body, regulatory) Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean) within the NPI process Compliance & Continuous Improvement Ensure products meet applicable standards (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 13485, AS9100, FDA, etc. - depending on industry) Support internal and external audits (customer, certification body, regulatory) Champion continuous improvement initiatives (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Lean) within the NPI process Cross-functional Collaboration Act as the primary quality interface with Design Engineering, Project Management, Manufacturing, Sourcing, and Customer teams Participate in daily and weekly NPI program meetings and gate reviews Present quality status and risks to leadership Identify and facilitate initiatives related to cost improvement, quality enhancement, and product performance benchmarking Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 15-25%

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's preferred) 4-8 years of Quality Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment Minimum of 3 years of direct NPI / New Product Development quality experience Strong working knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, SPC, and GD&T Experience with formal problem-solving methodologies (8D, DMAIC, A3) Proficiency with statistical tools and software (Minitab, JMP, or equivalent) Solid understanding of drawing interpretation and GD&T (ASME Y14.5) Experience with Quality Management Systems (QMS) and document control Familiarity with PLM, ERP, and MES systems (Windchill, SAP, Teamcenter, etc.) Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification preferred ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) preferred Experience in regulated industries (Automotive, Medical Device, Aerospace, Electronics) Knowledge of advanced quality tools (QFD, DOE, ORT, reliability testing, FTA) Excellent communication skills, enabling collaboration with technical and non-technical personnel, including assembly process engineers across multiple regions