Job Description – New Product Development (NPD) Engineer
Job Summary
The NPD Engineer is responsible for leading the development and industrialization of new automotive seating components from customer RFQ through mass production. The role involves coordinating with customers, design, manufacturing, quality, suppliers, and project teams to ensure products meet customer specifications, quality standards, cost targets, and production timelines. The engineer supports APQP activities and ensures compliance with automotive industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead new product development activities from quotation, design review, prototype, validation, PPAP, and SOP (Start of Production).
- Review customer drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
- Coordinate with customers and internal cross-functional teams during product development.
- Develop manufacturing feasibility and support design for manufacturability (DFM).
- Prepare process flow diagrams, manufacturing concepts, and tooling requirements.
- Coordinate prototype manufacturing and customer sample submissions.
- Participate in APQP activities including DFMEA, PFMEA, Control Plan, and Process Flow preparation.
- Support PPAP documentation and customer approvals.
- Work closely with tooling, production, quality, maintenance, and procurement teams during product launch.
- Monitor trial production, identify process issues, and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements, IATF 16949, and applicable automotive standards.
- Manage Engineering Change Requests (ECR) and Engineering Change Orders (ECO).
- Support cost reduction, VA/VE (Value Analysis/Value Engineering), and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Prepare engineering documentation including BOMs, work instructions, ECNs, and technical reports.
- Coordinate with suppliers for development of purchased components and tooling.
- Support customer audits and internal process audits during new product introduction.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, or Automobile Engineering.
- 2–6 years of experience in New Product Development within the automotive manufacturing industry.
- Experience in automotive seating systems or metal seating components is preferred.
- Knowledge of automotive core tools: APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, MSA, SPC, and Control Plans.
- Good understanding of manufacturing processes such as stamping, tube bending, welding, assembly, foam molding, plastic injection molding, or seat mechanism assembly.
- Proficiency in CAD software such as CATIA, SolidWorks, Creo, AutoCAD, or Siemens NX.
- Familiarity with GD&T and engineering drawings.
- Working knowledge of ERP and PLM systems.
- Good communication, problem-solving, and project management skills.
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of IATF 16949 and ISO 9001 quality systems..
- Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Strong analytical and root cause analysis skills using 8D, 5 Why, and Fishbone techniques.
- Cross-functional collaboration with Design, Quality, Production, Tool Room, Supply Chain, and Customers.
- Regular interaction with OEMs and Tier-1 customers during new product development and launch activities.
Pay: ₹30,000.00 - ₹45,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
