Operations Development Lead Manufacturing Engineer - NPI

Wabtec • Erie, PA

2d • $79,100 - $112,800

About The Position

The Operations Development Lead Manufacturing Engineer - NPI manages the transition of new products and processes from engineering design into manufacturing and the supply chain. The role partners closely with product engineering to define manufacturing requirements during New Product Development and serves as a liaison between functional groups and the Manufacturing & Supply Chain organization. It manages cross-functional deliverables, schedules, progress, and project execution from early design through production launch, supporting on-time delivery and expected quality and cost performance. The engineer participates in design reviews and guides development through Design for Manufacturing.

The role applies manufacturing, assembly, quality, sourcing, and service methods to product designs; assesses manufacturing readiness; and coordinates initial builds, material readiness, equipment and tooling needs, factory acceptance testing, and issue resolution. It also defines program requirements and budgets, conducts financial analysis, manages projects through the NPI Tollgate process and DFSS rigor, and captures lessons learned to improve future designs and processes. Success requires strong interpersonal, leadership, communication, planning, and risk-management skills in a complex, cross-functional environment.

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 projects.

Nice To Haves

• Prior project management experience.
• Experience with 3D model/CAD software.
• Strong print-reading, wire-schematic-reading, and engineering-specification skills.
• Experience with BOM (PLM) tools.
• Experience with 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, with the 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, idea generation, and willingness to 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 Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Test, Installation, and Service requirements.
• Apply manufacturing, assembly, quality, sourcing, and service methods to new product designs and work with engineering to integrate functional principles early in the design process.
• Conduct manufacturing readiness assessments and review engineering designs to support transition to manufacturing and supply chain.
• Develop product-release schedules and milestones, assess and mitigate risks, create action plans, coordinate activities, and drive results across cross-functional teams.
• Conduct regular project status meetings with team members 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.
• Serve as 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.
• Provide feedback to Engineering and Supply Chain on rollout lessons learned and recommend future design and process improvements.
• Identify and translate customer wants and needs into product features, offerings, and requirements, and identify enabling technologies.
• Define project requirements to meet program objectives, including investment (P&E), resource requirements, tollgate schedule, and budget.
• Perform financial analysis, including engineering expense, investment budgeting, project benefits, and internal rate of return.
• Manage program execution using the NPI Tollgate process and DFSS rigor to ensure CTQs are satisfied and new offerings are appropriately validated to mitigate risk before introduction.

Benefits

• Health, welfare, and retirement benefits are available; further information is provided at mywabtecbenefits.com.
• Annual bonus may be offered if eligible.

What This Job Offers

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