NPI Manager Operations

Leonardo DRS, Inc. • Dallas, TX

19h

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced New Product Introduction (NPI) Manager to lead manufacturing readiness for new product launches and engineering changes. This role owns the planning and execution of manufacturing-based NPI activities, ensuring products transition from development to production on schedule, at the required quality, and with repeatable processes.
The NPI Manager will lead the introduction of Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems products into our manufacturing facility. Responsibilities include supporting bids and proposals, coordinating cross-functional launch activities, overseeing pilot builds and line trials, ensuring MBOM accuracy, and driving alignment across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to meet launch milestones.
This role also focuses on shop floor readiness, including optimizing layouts for efficient flow, confirming equipment, tooling, and staffing availability, and ensuring effective knowledge transfer from Engineering to Manufacturing. The NPI Manager will support the creation and setup of new production processes within the Manufacturing Execution System (MES) to enable consistent execution and traceability.
The successful candidate will proactively identify and manage program risks, support product development gate and readiness reviews, validate tooling and production processes, and ensure overall factory readiness for successful launches and production expansion. This position requires strong project management capability, excellent cross-functional leadership, and a continuous improvement mindset in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in program management, manufacturing engineering, or operations within a manufacturing or defense/aerospace-related environment.
• Proven experience managing complex projects or programs
• Proven project management experience, including scope definition, planning, resource allocation, and execution tracking.
• Excellent project management skills with the ability to drive timelines, resolve issues, and deliver results.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and ERP systems
• Understanding of MRP
• Effective communication and leadership skills to coordinate across multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and multitasking skills with high attention to detail.
• Ability to perform well under pressure while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
• Self-directed learner with the ability to quickly acquire new skills and adapt to evolving challenges.
• Highly motivated with a strong sense of ownership, passion, and commitment to achieving organizational goals.
• U.S. Citizenship required. This position requires an active DOD security clearance or the ability to obtain such clearance within a reasonable time after commencement of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in either Electro-Optical and Infrared vision systems, microelectronics, semiconductors, or precision assembly manufacturing.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Lean/Six Sigma Green Belt
• Proficiency in ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Deltek Costpoint
• Experience with Kinaxis Maestro
• Experience with SQL, PowerQuery, and/or PowerBI
• PMP or other relevant project management certification

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end launch readiness from bid and proposal through steady-state production.
• Assess factory readiness for manufacturing expansion, including capacity planning, layout optimization, and scalable processes.
• Plan and execute new product introductions (NPI), leading pilot builds and product validation through manufacturing line trials and transition to production, while tracking build status, coordinating issue resolution, and driving closure of cross-functional action items to confirm repeatability, capability, and readiness for release for critical product and process changes.
• Manage MBOM accuracy throughout development and change cycles, ensuring alignment to design intent and production requirements.
• Identify, track, and mitigate program risks; escalate issues as needed and lead corrective actions to protect safety, cost, quality, and schedule.
• Ensure equipment, tooling, fixtures, and test equipment are sufficient to meet anticipated demand, including validation of new processes and production methods prior to launch.
• Coordinate with internal teams to ensure equipment and production parts are delivered on time and meet requirements, while supporting design, tooling, and specification changes to enable safe, capable, and efficient production.
• Coordinate integrated launch schedules across Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, Quality, and Program teams to meet commitments.
• Support ERP/MES process setup and integration for new products and new business processes to enable stable execution and traceability in production.
• Monitor and control new product cost and ensure traceability to Design to Unit Production Cost targets.
• Provide regular leadership communication, including program status reviews, KPI reporting, and clear visibility to risks, schedule, and launch readiness.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase manufacturing efficiency, improve quality, and reduce cost.

Benefits

• competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, a company contribution to a health savings account, telemedicine, life and disability insurance, legal insurance, and a 401(k) savings plan
• wellness programs that focus on physical, emotional, and financial well-being
• programs and activities to support career-growth, professional development, and skill enhancement
• flexible work schedules with our 9/80 program, competitive vacation, health/emergency leave, paid parental leave, and community service hours

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level