NPIP Engineering Manager - San Antonio, Texas

Work on the 1-million sq. ft. factory is now under way on the 400-acre site. It will be the company’s second largest plant, rivalled only by JCB’s world headquarters in Rocester, Staffordshire, England, and create 1,500 new jobs over five years. The factory will make Loadall telescopic handlers and aerial access equipment, with production scheduled to start in 2026. The factory will also have the capacity to expand and build other products in the future.

Company Profile
80 years and countless innovations later, JCB is the world’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of construction and agricultural equipment. At 23 plants spanning four continents—and countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, India and Brazil—JCB manufactures a range of more than 300 products including telescopic handlers, backhoe loaders, excavators, wheel loaders, compact excavators, skid steer loaders, compact track loaders, Access aerial work platforms, rough terrain forklifts, and tractors.

JCB people are at the heart of our business and as a family-owned business we answer to our customers, not a group of shareholders. That freedom allows us to concentrate on developing the latest technologies and incorporating them into our equipment. We focus on what our customer needs on the jobsite – a machine that holds up in the toughest environment and increases their productivity.

At JCB, we stand behind our products – and our name.

Position Purpose
The NPIP Engineering Manager for JCB Access will lead the engineering function responsible for New Product Introduction Programs (NPIP) within the Access portfolio. This role will drive the successful delivery of next generation Aerial Work Platforms (AWP), leading design, validation, program execution, and cross functional alignment through all phases of the NPIP lifecycle.
The role will be based at the JCB World Headquarters in the United Kingdom for six to nine months, working closely with global engineering, quality, and program leadership teams. In Q1 2027, the position will relocate permanently to San Antonio, Texas, supporting the establishment and ramp up of Access engineering activities in North America. A strong background in Aerial Work Platform (AWP) design is essential.

Position Type
Full Time, Exempt

Major Tasks, Responsibilities & Key Accountabilities

NPIP Program Leadership
• Lead NPIP engineering activities for the JCB Access product line, ensuring high quality delivery across concept, design, validation, and industrialisation phases.
• Define engineering strategies, deliverables, and technical milestones required for successful Gate progression.
• Ensure new products meet performance, safety, regulatory, cost, reliability, and manufacturability targets.


Cross Functional Alignment
• Partner with UK and India engineering teams to maintain design continuity and architecture alignment across product platforms.
• Work closely with Operations, Quality, Service, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure project execution readiness.
• Coordinate with Product Management to confirm customer requirements, market needs, and competitive positioning.

Technical Leadership
• Provide expert guidance across AWP systems, including structures, hydraulics, electrics, controls, and safety systems.
• Ensure compliance with global regulatory standards (ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO).
• Oversee design reviews, DFMEAs, validation plans, and field trial strategies.

San Antonio Transition (2027)
• Support engineering readiness for Access NPIP activities transferring to the new San Antonio facility.
• Lead integration of U.S.-based engineering capability to support prototyping, testing, localization, and production launch.
• Establish local engineering processes, tools, and documentation standards.

Leadership & Team Development
• Build and mentor a high performing NPIP engineering team in San Antonio.
• Drive a culture of accountability, innovation, and technical excellence.
• Ensure strong communication between UK, India, and U.S. Access engineering groups.

Minimum Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Mechatronics, or a related engineering discipline.
• Extensive Aerial Work Platform (AWP) design experience mandatory.
• 10+ years of engineering experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success leading new product development or NPIP programs.
• Strong cross functional communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of DFM, DFA, VA/VE, and cost optimisation practices.
• Familiarity with global AWP regulatory standards and certification processes.
• Ability to travel internationally (UK ↔ India ↔ USA).

Preferred Qualifications
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