NPI / Product Operations Engineer
Core
Own products from engineering-to-production transition, establishing production lines, and managing product data/BOMs for complex electro-mechanical defense systems.
Role type
Senior NPI / Product Operations Engineer
Builds
Complex electro-mechanical defense systems, sensor integrations, and data infrastructure platforms
Domain
Defense technology, aerospace, UAVs
Required skills
New Product Introduction (NPI) lifecycle management, production line establishment, BOM validation and configuration management, Design for Manufacturing/Assembly (DFM/DFA), supplier qualification and industrialization, first-article inspection, acceptance testing definition, PLM process implementation, cross-functional collaboration with R&D and Supply Chain
Preferred skills
MIL-STD environmental qualification experience, electro-optical assembly handling, MoD program review familiarity, ERP/MRP system implementation, hands-on hardware building and testing
Technologies
PLM systems, ERP/MRP systems, electro-optical systems, sensor integration platforms (via careerplan.io/jobs/2A-007-3D-F67-npi-product-operations-engineer-at-kela-technologies)
Responsibilities
Lead NPI from design to rate production including pilot builds and first-article inspection; Own engineering-to-production packages including BOMs and work instructions; Validate BOM completeness and manufacturability; Lead establishment of PLM processes and infrastructure; Drive DFM/DFA feedback into design; Define Approved Vendor List and qualify subcontractors; Define and validate acceptance testing at kit and system level; Identify and mitigate supply risks; Plan and execute retrofit campaigns for fielded units
Seniority
Senior, hands-on IC