NPI Project Manager

Vantedge Medical - VDB•Rancho Cordova, CA

1d•$110,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Project Manager, NPI leads new product introduction programs at the Rancho Cordova manufacturing site, from quote support through a successful transition to production. The site specializes in large-format CNC machining, welding, sheet metal fabrication, and assembly of medical capital equipment, gantries, welded frames, and enclosures. This hands-on role combines project management with manufacturing engineering support. The Project Manager coordinates cross-functional teams, manages schedules and resources, resolves launch issues, and ensures that new products can be manufactured at the required quality, cost, and production rate. The position also leads site expansion and growth projects, including equipment installations and capacity improvements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related technical field, or equivalent relevant manufacturing experience.
Minimum of 5 years of manufacturing experience, including at least 2 years leading NPI projects and performing hands-on manufacturing engineering work.
Experience developing project plans, managing critical paths and budgets, identifying risks, and coordinating cross-functional teams.
Hands-on process experience in one or more of the following: CNC machining, MIG/TIG or robotic welding, sheet metal fabrication, or mechanical assembly.
Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and apply GD&T and DFM principles.
Understanding of manufacturing cost estimates, project budgets, and capital project business cases.
Ability to translate customer requirements into practical manufacturing processes and measurable launch plans.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, site leaders, and production personnel.
Ability to lead cross-functional work and drive accountability without direct supervisory authority.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and Smartsheet or MS Project.
Commitment to safe work practices, accurate documentation, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an ISO 9001 manufacturing environment, including first article inspection, documented process controls, and customer-specific quality requirements, preferred.
Experience with large-format machining, weldments, medical capital equipment, capital equipment installations, or facility expansion projects preferred.
CAD proficiency, PMP certification, or Lean or Six Sigma training preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned NPI programs through quote handoff, customer kickoff, design for manufacturability (DFM), process development, first article, qualification, production ramp-up, and transition to Operations.
At project kickoff, agree with Operations, Quality, and Engineering on launch success criteria, including production rate, quality performance, cost, and the period of sustained performance required for handoff.
Develop and maintain project schedules, critical paths, milestones, budgets, resource plans, and risk registers in Smartsheet in accordance with corporate NPI and project management standards.
Identify schedule, cost, quality, and capacity risks early; coordinate recovery plans and escalate decisions requiring leadership support.
Coordinate Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Planning, Operations, Supply Chain, Safety, and other teams to meet approved customer commitments.
Support Estimating and the Site Engineering Manager with DFM input, process assumptions, tooling, capital requirements, outside services, and lead times during quoting. Confirm that the process launched aligns with the process quoted.
Verify that labor, equipment, tooling, floor space, materials, and supplier capacity support the proposed production ramp.
Track approved drawings, revisions, specifications, purchase orders, and program assumptions. Coordinate changes affecting scope, quantity, cost, or schedule with Commercial and site leadership before implementation.
Monitor launch costs against quoted assumptions and approved budgets, escalating material changes in labor, tooling, capital, outside services, or expected margin.
Complete manufacturing engineering NPI tasks as needed, including routings, travelers, process sheets, work instructions, fixture and tooling concepts, and first article support.
Work on the manufacturing floor with engineers, CNC programmers, welding personnel, operators, and inspectors during trial runs, fixture tryouts, and process troubleshooting.
Partner with Supply Chain and Quality to evaluate outside services and confirm supplier capability, lead times, quality requirements, and launch readiness.
Serve as the primary customer contact for assigned project execution, providing accurate updates on status, risks, actions, and decisions. Partner with Commercial on proposals and changes to customer commitments.
Lead the transition from NPI to production. Confirm that routings, work instructions, inspection requirements, training, capacity, and performance data are complete; resolve or assign open issues; and obtain documented acceptance from Operations, Quality, Planning, and Engineering before closing the NPI project.
Lead site growth projects, including equipment acquisition and installation, capacity expansion, layout changes, and facility improvements. Track capital expenditure requests (CERs), approved budgets, vendor deliverables, equipment acceptance, and ramp-up.
Report project status to site leadership and the corporate NPI/PM team, and support multi-site programs involving Rancho Cordova.
Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support successful launches and site growth.