Operations Development Lead Manufacturing Engineer - NPI

Wabtec•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Operations Development Lead Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for transitioning new products and processes from engineering design into manufacturing and the supply chain. Working closely with Product Engineering, the role defines manufacturing requirements during New Product Development and manages cross-functional deliverables, schedules, and progress to bring products to market on time and at expected quality and cost levels. The Engineer manages projects from early design through production launch, acts as a liaison between functional teams and Manufacturing & Supply Chain, participates in design reviews, and guides development through Design for Manufacturing. The role supports early-stage product development and ensures requirements from Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, Installation, and Service are captured. It applies manufacturing, assembly, quality, sourcing, and service methods to product designs; conducts manufacturing readiness assessments; coordinates launch readiness and factory acceptance testing; and supports resolution of technical issues. The position also defines project requirements, budgets, resource needs, schedules, and investment plans, performs financial analysis, and manages programs using NPI Tollgate and DFSS processes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in Engineering, Operations Management, or Applied Science.
At least 3 years of experience in a manufacturing environment and product development.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally when needed to support Platform initiatives and global NPI programs.
Exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Prior project management experience.
Experience with 3D model/CAD software.
Strong skills in print reading, wire schematic reading, and engineering specifications.
Experience with BOM (PLM) tools.
Experience with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools such as Oracle or SAP.
Strong data analysis skills, including Microsoft Excel tools and macros.
Working knowledge of locomotive manufacturing, including fabrication, coatings, assembly, electrical, and test procedures.
Understanding of finance and business drivers, and ability to communicate engineering changes and long-term plans.
Strong oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate across levels in a complex matrix.
Strategic thinking and ability to identify and mitigate risk.
Innovative thinking, willingness to develop new ideas and take risks to solve issues creatively.
Ability to manage complex multi-year technical programs in a matrix resource environment and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

Participate in early-stage product development and capture requirements from Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, Installation, and Service.
Apply manufacturing, assembly, quality, sourcing, and service methods to new product designs.
Work with Engineering to integrate functional principles early in the design process.
Conduct manufacturing readiness assessments and review engineering designs for transition to Manufacturing and Supply Chain.
Develop new-product release schedules and milestones, assess and mitigate risks, create action plans, coordinate activities, and drive cross-functional results.
Conduct regular project status meetings with teams and stakeholders.
Deliver new products on time, within budget, and at expected quality and reliability levels.
Participate in initial build plans, drive material readiness with Supply Chain, and evaluate constraints.
Act as the manufacturing liaison to Engineering and Operations to resolve technical problems.
Collaborate with Manufacturing to develop efficient product assembly methods.
Design or specify manufacturing equipment, tooling, and processes as required.
Coordinate factory acceptance test requirements and execution.
Capture lessons learned from product rollouts and provide recommendations for future designs and processes to Engineering and Supply Chain.
Translate customer wants and needs into product features, offerings, and requirements, and identify enabling technologies.
Define project requirements, including investment, resource requirements, tollgate schedules, and budgets.
Perform financial analysis, including engineering expense, investment budgeting, project benefits, and internal rate of return.
Manage programs using the NPI Tollgate process and DFSS rigor to satisfy CTQs and appropriately validate new offerings before introduction.