New Product Introduction Project Engineer III

Edmund Optics•Tucson, AZ

About The Position

Overview Edmund Optics, an industry leader in the design, manufacturing, and sale of precision optics and optical components for over 80 years is hiring! As a global, family-owned company, employees are key to our success. Our culture is at the heart of everything we do, and the company’s Core Values demonstrate our commitment to act as one family, do what is best for the customer, drive innovation through continuous improvement, and to be proud of what we do. As we work to continue to be technological leaders in the industry, we seek those who are prepared to learn, engage, grow, and enable the future through optics. Brief Summary: A NPI (New Product Introduction) Project Engineer, Level III is responsible for supporting and executing the transition of new products from design concept to prototype and from prototype to full-scale production. This role works at the intersection of engineering design, manufacturing, and project coordination to ensure that new product development activities are effectively transferred into robust, documented, repeatable production processes. The NPI Project Engineer, Level III collaborates closely with Design Engineering, Advanced Programs, and Manufacturing to define processes, develop tooling and fixtures, deploy assembly and test solutions, and generate necessary documentation. This position ensures a smooth, efficient, and scalable product launch by applying strong engineering fundamentals, process development skills, and cross-functional communication abilities. In addition, they contribute to the growth of the NPI Project Engineering group and regularly participate with the training, development, and mentorship of earlier career NPI Project Engineers.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card holder)
Strong understanding of mechanical and/or opto-mechanical assembly processes, including interpretation of engineering drawings and GD&T
Strong proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) for reviewing fixtures, tooling, or component models
Flexible with strong ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands, and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities
Strong understanding of assembly documentation, prints, work orders, and work instructions
Ability to think critically and solve complex problems in fast-paced development environments
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for cross-functional coordination and technical discussions with customers, suppliers and various levels of technical staff
Working knowledge of manufacturing and metrology techniques for mechanical or optical components
Experience with LEAN, 6σ, or structured process-improvement methodologies is preferred
6+ years previous experience or equivalent in new product introduction, manufacturing engineering, process development, or a related engineering field
Minimum BS in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Optical Engieering, Systems Egnieering, or a related technical discipline
Experience in an opto-mechanical, electro-mechanical, or precision-assembly environment is preferred
ISO or other quality system experience is a plus
Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time; ability to travel; work in office and factory setting.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate NPI transfer activities including design to prototype and prototype to production transitions, ensuring alignment on requirements, documentation, timelines, risks, and deliverables
Interface with Design Engineering, Manufacturing, Advanced Programs, and Project Management teams to define assembly methods, testing strategies, and process controls for new product builds
Develop and implement assembly processes, including defining process steps, determining equipment needs, and validating process stability, repeatability, and scalability
Support the design of assembly and test fixtures, including precision mechanical, optical, or electromechanical tooling needed for prototype and production builds
Assist in implementation of metrology, inspection, and verification methods for new products
Generate and maintain documentation including work instructions, assembly and test instructions, and supporting manufacturability documentation
Support prototype builds by providing engineering oversight, resolving build issues, coordinating testing, and capturing lessons learned for production readiness
Collaborate with production teams and suppliers to troubleshoot manufacturing challenges and ensure smooth readiness for production scaling
Participate in continuous improvement activities using LEAN or Six Sigma methodologies to optimize processes and reduce manufacturing variation prior to production transition
Regularly participate in internal training, development, and mentorship of earlier career NPI Project Engineers
Comply with federal, state, and company policies, procedures, and regulations