Job Description
The CEMA NH New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager leads cross-functional efforts to introduce new products into the CEMA business area, ensuring alignment with customer requirements, technical readiness, manufacturing capabilities, cost targets, and schedule commitments. This role is responsible for driving disciplined execution across the full NPI lifecycle-from concept through production handoff-while maintaining strong coordination between engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, program management, and key stakeholders.
This is a first shift hybrid position working 2 days on site. The 9/80 work schedule allows for every other Friday off.
Key Responsibilities:
• Lead end-to-end NPI planning, execution, and transition-to-production for assigned programs.
• Develop and maintain NPI schedules, risk registers, readiness metrics, and stage-gate documentation.
• Partner with Engineering to ensure design-for-manufacturability, design-for-test, and producibility principles are applied early.
• Coordinate with Operations to establish production processes, tooling, routing, test equipment, and resource requirements.
• Manage cross-functional readiness reviews and drive closure of open actions to maintain NPI milestone health.
• Work with Supply Chain to ensure early supplier engagement, material availability, lead-time alignment, and cost targets.
• Facilitate production pilots, process validation, and first-article activities.
• Monitor product cost, yield, throughput, and quality metrics; escalate and drive corrective actions when needed.
• Ensure compliance with business, engineering, and manufacturing processes including configuration management and change control.
• Maintain close communication with Program Management to support customer commitments, reporting, and risks/opportunities.
• Serve as primary point of contact for NH based program NPI status within the CEMA business area leadership team.
Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite and remotely.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Required Skills and Education
• Bachelor's degree in engineering, operations, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Demonstrated experience in New Product Introduction, program integration, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong understanding of product development lifecycles, stage-gate processes, and production readiness.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex schedules.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work effectively in fast-paced environments with shifting priorities.
Preferred Skills and Education
• Experience in defense or aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with CEMA-related technologies (communications, EW, mission avionics, RF systems).
• Understanding of AS9100 or similar quality systems.
• Knowledge of cost modeling, lean manufacturing, and process improvement methods.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green or Black belt certification
