Description
Anduril Industries is seeking an NPI Program Manager with an Electronic, Mechatronic or Process Engineering background to join our team in Quonset Point, RI.
The NPI Lead will be responsible for ensuring that new products are launched successfully and consistently across our global manufacturing sites. You will own technical knowledge transfer and act as the critical bridge between the design team and production, from the initial NPI/pilot site to rate production facilities, by architecting and executing the seamless exchange of product and process knowledge.
Your primary mission is to eliminate the 'learning curve' for new sites, accelerate time-to-market, and standardize best practices to achieve world-class quality, cost, and delivery performance on every new product, regardless of where it is built.
The right person for this role can demonstrate past ownership on solving operational challenges with creative solutions in a fast-paced, resource-limited environment. This person will be flexible to provide support wherever needed to ensure products are built and tested under stringent quality standards.
If you are someone who thrives in such an environment, then this role is for you.
Responsibilities:
- Own the end-to-end NPI project plan, from concept to production readiness across multiple sites.
- Design, implement, and continuously improve a standardized NPI knowledge transfer framework, including checklists, templates, communication plans, and stage-gate reviews.
- Coordinate cross-functional activities, ensuring engineering, supply chain, quality, and production deliverables are completed on time.
- For assigned NPI programs, serve as the primary point of contact and project manager for all knowledge transfer activities between the lead/pilot site and the receiving site(s).
- Deeply embed with the Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality and Manufacturing teams from early development through the initial production run to gain expert-level product and process knowledge. Lead the effort to capture this knowledge for future transfer.
- Facilitate Cross-Site collaborations by organising and leading regular communication forums, technical deep dives, and virtual reviews between Engineering and Operations teams at all involved sites, ensuring alignment and de-conflicting issues.
- Mentor and develop key engineers and technicians at receiving sites, empowering them to become self-sufficient subject matter experts for their product lines.
- Proactively break down 'not invented here' barriers and foster a company-wide culture of open communication, shared learning, and standardization.
- Manage engineering change workflows (ECR/ECO) affecting manufacturing of transferred technology.
- Track risks, issues, and actions with mitigation and escalation when needed.
Requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in a manufacturing environment, with at least 3 years directly involved in New Product Introduction (NPI).
- Demonstrated experience leading the transfer of a product or process from one manufacturing site to another.
- Exceptional project management skills, with a proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional projects on schedule.
- Deep technical credibility and hands-on experience with modern manufacturing processes and quality systems (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma, AS9100).
- Outstanding communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and lead teams without direct reporting authority.
- A natural teacher and mentor with a passion for documentation and process improvement.
- Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.
- Eligible to obtain and maintain an active U.S. Secret security clearance.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in the defence or aerospace industry with a strong understanding of its rigorous quality and documentation requirements.
- Experience administering or architecting knowledge management systems (e.g., Confluence, SharePoint, PLM).
- Experience working with international teams and navigating cultural differences.