NPI Operations Project Manager

Brooks Automation•Chelmsford, MA

2d•$118,265 - $160,006

About The Position

The NPI Operations Project Manager leads the Operations workstream for New Product Introduction projects, helping products transition from engineering development through prototype and pilot builds into repeatable, production-ready manufacturing. The role engages early in Prototype and Alpha to identify manufacturing, supply chain, material, quality, and factory requirements and risks. As products progress toward Beta and production, the role takes on increasing leadership of operational execution, industrialization, and production readiness. Working closely with Engineering Project/Program Management and cross-functional Operations teams, the NPI Operations Project Manager ensures products are technically ready and operationally executable, repeatable, and scalable. The role leads readiness and execution across development builds, tracks phase-gate deliverables and risks, and supports a structured transition from NPI and pilot manufacturing to sustained production.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related technical discipline.
Project management experience within a manufacturing, engineering, Operations, or NPI environment.
Experience supporting new product introduction, prototype/pilot manufacturing, industrialization, product launch, or production transfer.
Strong understanding of manufacturing and Operations processes.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Planning, Procurement, and Quality.
Experience managing complex schedules, dependencies, risks, and competing priorities.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence and drive accountability across functions without direct reporting authority.

Nice To Haves

Experience in complex equipment, automation, robotics, semiconductor equipment, capital equipment, or other low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing environments.
Experience with complex BOMs, long-lead materials, engineering changes, and prototype/pilot builds.
Working knowledge of ERP/MRP, BOM/configuration management, ECO/ECN processes, PFMEA, Control Plans, 5-Why/8D, and production planning.
PMP or equivalent project management certification.
Lean or Six Sigma experience.

Responsibilities

Lead the Operations workstream for assigned NPI projects from early development through Prototype, Alpha, Beta, pilot production, and production transition.
Develop and manage integrated Operations project plans covering material, manufacturing, quality, resources, tooling, test equipment, factory, and production readiness.
Coordinate cross-functional activities across Manufacturing Engineering, Planning, Procurement, Supply Chain, Quality, Production, Engineering, Logistics, and Facilities.
Lead Operations readiness for prototype and pilot builds, including material availability, BOM maturity, shortages, documentation, tooling, equipment, training, and factory readiness.
Drive pre-build readiness reviews, build execution, post-build reviews, and closure of issues and lessons learned.
Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to mature manufacturing processes, work instructions, tooling, fixtures, test equipment, capacity, and training.
Drive material and supply chain readiness, including long-lead components, shortages, supplier constraints, and engineering-change impacts.
Ensure Prototype and Alpha learning is incorporated into subsequent builds and production-readiness plans.
Partner with Quality and Manufacturing Engineering to drive appropriate PFMEA, control plans, process validation, root-cause investigation, and corrective actions.
Define and track Operations phase-gate deliverables and readiness criteria.
Identify and proactively manage risks affecting build execution, material availability, manufacturing readiness, quality, capacity, resources, and schedule.
Drive cross-functional actions to closure and escalate critical issues with clear impact, ownership, mitigation, and recovery plans.
Provide concise, data-driven Operations status and readiness assessments to project and Operations leadership.
Lead Operations readiness through Beta and support a structured transition from NPI/pilot manufacturing to sustained production.