NPI Process Engineer III

Freudenberg Group • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

The NPI Process Engineer III serves as the process and manufacturing engineering focal point for new and revised products, supporting work from manufacturability assessment and quoting through production release and sustaining handoff. The role works closely with Design Engineering and Sales to assess manufacturability and provide accurate cost estimates and timely quotes, and owns contract, quote, and manufacturing reviews for standard and nonstandard products.

The position develops and executes manufacturing plans and processes for advanced thermoplastics and complex components. This includes CNC programming and machining, molding processes, tooling and inspection concepts, manufacturing documentation, process qualification, and production readiness. The engineer also supports digital manufacturing initiatives and promotes lean practices through continuous improvement and standardization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressive manufacturing, process, NPI, tooling, or advanced-manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated experience with NCR processes, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience leading new product introduction, manufacturability review, process development, qualification, and production handoff in a controlled manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated capability in NCR/MRB disposition, root cause analysis, CAPA, MOC, engineering change control, and risk assessment.
• Strong analytical, project-management, communication, and influencing skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make risk-based recommendations, document decisions clearly, and maintain accountability through closure.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with CNC machining and programming, CAD/CAM, tooling, GD&T, metrology, and engineered thermoplastic or elastomer processing.

Responsibilities

• Work with Design Engineering and Sales to assess manufacturability and support accurate cost estimates and quote turnaround.
• Own contract, quote, and manufacturing reviews for standard and nonstandard products; identify customer requirements, risks, assumptions, and acceptance criteria before commitment.
• Develop and execute manufacturing plans for new and revised products from feasibility through prototype, first article, qualification, production release, and sustaining handoff.
• Define and create manufacturing routings, bills of operation, process parameters, tooling, fixtures, inspection methods, control plans, work instructions, and training.
• Own manufacturing process development for advanced thermoplastics.
• Own the CNC programming strategy for complex thermoplastic components, including process development, validation, standardization, and optimization.
• Provide technical oversight for machining PEEK, PTFE, and other engineered polymers.
• Provide technical oversight for injection, compression, and transfer molding processes, including applications involving PEEK, PTFE, elastomers, and composites.
• Define, review, and approve mold, fixture, gauge, and inspection-tool concepts; coordinate supplier design reviews, qualification, and production release.
• Use CAD/CAM and metrology systems to develop and verify manufacturing solutions.
• Support digital manufacturing initiatives through data collection and process monitoring.
• Promote lean manufacturing by leading continuous improvement initiatives, standardizing best practices, and supporting sustainment across operations.
• Lead technical work across Engineering, Quality, Operations, and Supply Chain; manage priorities, document decisions, make risk-based recommendations, and maintain accountability through closure.

What This Job Offers

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