NPI Engineer

Description

ABOUT US

G&H is a world leader in optical designing, testing and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, G&H works with customers to provide optical systems, assemblies, and components for demanding applications.

Headquartered in Ilminster Somerset, UK with primary operations in the USA and Europe, G&H is recognized for the breadth of their acousto-optic, electro-optic, crystal-optic, fiber optic, and precision optic products. G&H is recognized as the preferred source for OEMs in the life sciences, industrial, and aerospace and defense industries, with a history of quality and excellence that dates back over seventy-five years. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

As an NPI Engineer, you will play a critical role in bridging Research & Development and Operations by leading the industrialization and successful transfer of new photonic products from concept and prototype through manufacturing scale-up and product maturity. You will partner closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management teams to ensure products are robust, manufacturable, cost-effective, and ready for volume production. 

This role is ideal for an engineer who thrives in a highly technical environment, enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, and is passionate about enabling innovative products to transition successfully from development into sustained manufacturing.

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING 

New Product Introduction & Design Transfer

• Lead the transfer and industrialization of new products and technologies from R&D into manufacturing, ensuring technical readiness, documentation completeness, and successful production release. 
• Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Excellence (DFX) activities to optimize product performance, quality, manufacturability, and cost. 
• Plan and execute prototype builds, pilot runs, process characterization activities, and manufacturing trials to validate product designs and production processes. 

Product Maturity & Manufacturing Readiness

• Develop and execute product maturation plans to improve yield, reliability, manufacturability, and cost throughout the product lifecycle. 
• Establish, qualify, and validate manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, work instructions, and test methods required for successful production ramp and sustained manufacturing. 
• Analyze manufacturing, quality, and yield data to identify trends, resolve technical issues, and drive continuous process improvements. 

Cross-Functional Leadership & Program Execution

• Serve as the technical liaison between R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations throughout the NPI lifecycle. 
• Lead cross-functional manufacturing readiness reviews and provide status updates on product launch, risk mitigation, capacity planning, and production readiness. 
• Manage engineering changes, Bills of Material (BOMs), product documentation, and configuration control activities to support successful product launches. 

Continuous Improvement & Sustaining Engineering

• Support products following launch by driving yield improvements, cost reduction initiatives, and corrective actions for manufacturing and field performance issues. 
• Apply structured problem-solving methodologies to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions. 
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that enhance product quality, operational efficiency, manufacturability, and customer satisfaction.

WHAT YOU BRING

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Optical, Electrical Engineering, or related discipline. 
• 5+ years of experience in New Product Introduction, Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, or Product Development in a high-technology manufacturing environment. 
• Demonstrated experience leading product industrialization and transferring products from R&D/prototype phases into production manufacturing. 
• Strong understanding of DFM/DFA principles, process validation, and product industrialization. 
• Experience with engineering change management, configuration control, and product lifecycle management (PLM) systems. 
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PFMEA, Control Plans, and structured problem-solving methodologies. 
• Experience with process qualification, risk assessment, manufacturing readiness reviews, and production ramp activities. 
• Excellent project management, communication, and cross-functi