Lead, Manufacturing Engineer

L3Harris Technologies•Londonderry, NH

35d

About The Position

L3Harris Integrated Vision Solutions (IVS) is seeking an Industrial Operations Engineer - Front Loading NPI to bridge Product Development and Manufacturing Operations throughout the NPI stage-gate process, from the pre-award phase through production hand-off. The role leads implementation of Front Loading methodologies to achieve manufacturability, quality, and cost targets while maintaining schedule commitments. The position works cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Program Management, Business Development, and Manufacturing Engineering. It drives early operational readiness assessments, establishes production processes, and supports smooth product transitions from bid phase through production hand-off. During the pre-award phase, the role assesses operational capabilities and requirements, supports bid reviews and cost estimates, identifies facility, equipment, safety, and staffing needs, plans Front Loading activities, identifies process-improvement projects, tailors Front Loading effort, and develops Design to Cost targets. From award to production start, it facilitates Challenges, Risks and Opportunities workshops; finalizes manufacturing, test, and production plans; leads operational gate-review activities; prepares project charters and business cases; supports Make/Buy decisions; monitors progress and material schedules; coordinates toolset roles; supports floor-layout and Standard Work development; oversees facility and equipment setup; conducts DFM and DFA reviews; leads NPI teams through readiness reviews; and develops manufacturing cost models. From production to delivery, it ensures required Front Loading assessments are complete, oversees product launch against targets, and reviews the final end-item data package, lessons learned, and required document updates.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and at least 9 years of related experience; or a graduate degree and at least 7 years of related experience; or at least 13 years of related experience in lieu of a degree.
Experience leading product transitions from bid/proposal phase through production hand-off.
Experience with Front Loading methodologies and NPI stage-gate-based product transition.
Experience facilitating cross-functional workshops, including CRO, 3P events, and Design to Cost sessions.
Experience setting up manufacturing processes, including assembly, test, and integration.
Experience developing project charters and presenting business cases to leadership.

Nice To Haves

Experience in aerospace and defense manufacturing with bid/proposal support.
Ability to develop and execute capability models and operational readiness assessments.
Six Sigma Green Belt certification or higher.
Understanding of Lean Manufacturing, including 3P, Standard Work, and Value Stream Mapping.
Knowledge of Design to Cost methodologies.
Experience with capability modeling and operational readiness assessments.
Experience with ERP and PLM systems.
Experience with PFMEA, Control Plans, and APQP methodologies.
Experience with facility layout design and equipment installation planning.
PMP certification.
Ability to influence without direct authority across multiple functional organizations.
Strong facilitation skills for cross-functional workshops and gate reviews.
Understanding of DFx principles, including Manufacturing, Assembly, Test, and Automation.
Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple concurrent programs across NPI lifecycle phases.

Responsibilities

Attend technical baseline reviews and understand scope for the Front Loading Framework.
Assess current and required operational capabilities to support successful bids.
Support red team reviews and ensure cost estimates reflect operations scope and deliverables.
Identify facility, equipment, safety, and staffing requirements; coordinate plans with Operations and Program Management.
Coordinate with program functional points of contact to plan and initiate Front Loading activities.
Identify operations-specific technology and process-improvement projects needed to meet bid cost, schedule, and margin targets.
Conduct Front Loading tailoring assessments and incorporate required effort into the Program Transition Window.
Develop Design to Cost targets and agree on them with the Program Management Team.
Facilitate Challenges, Risks and Opportunities workshops addressing yields, failure modes, supply chain, cost, and lead times.
Finalize manufacturing, test, and production plans and lead operational aspects of gate reviews.
Prepare project charters describing required effort and program benefits, and present them to the Program Leadership Team.
Provide manufacturing input to Make/Buy decisions using the capability model.
Monitor and track Front Loading Toolset applications in monthly program reviews.
Review material delivery schedules, escalate concerns, and monitor schedule impacts.
Coordinate with operations leadership to define and fill key toolset roles.
Work with manufacturing on 3P events, floor layouts, and Standard Work combination sheets.
Oversee facility setup, production layouts, and equipment installation and configuration.
Conduct Design for Manufacturing and Design for Assembly reviews and provide manufacturability feedback to engineering teams.
Lead cross-functional NPI teams through stage-gate reviews and readiness assessments.
Develop manufacturing cost models and support cost-reduction activities.
Ensure Front Loading assessments are completed at required gates.
Oversee product launch in line with launch targets.
Review the final end-item data package, conduct a lessons-learned brief, and log required command media and program document updates.