Head of NPI Engineering

Introducing TechPoint TechPoint Group, is one of the largest UK-owned CEMs. We supply EMS and supply chain services to leading technology companies across the UK and Europe. We operate from a modern, clean environment to support customers in the commercial, space, defence, transport, audio, motorsport, and instrumentation sectors. We have opened a new world-class facility and are looking for new talented people to join us on this exciting journey.

The Role The Head of NPI Engineering is responsible for leading the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) process within a high-mix, electronic manufacturing environment. This role ensures the seamless transition of products from design through to full-scale production, driving manufacturability, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery. You will act as the key interface between customers, design engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Strategy

• Lead, develop, and mentor the NPI Engineering team
• Define and implement NPI strategy aligned with business objectives and customer requirements
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and engineering excellence New Product Introduction (NPI)
• Own the full NPI lifecycle from concept review to production release
• Ensure robust Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles are applied
• Lead project planning, risk management, and resource allocation for all NPI activities
• Act as the primary escalation point for NPI-related issues Customer & Stakeholder Management
• Serve as the technical lead for customer engagements during the NPI phase
• Collaborate with customers on design optimisation , cost reduction, and manufacturability improvements
• Work cross-functionally with Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Account Management teams

Process & Production Readiness

• Ensure manufacturing processes, tooling, and test solutions are fully validated prior to production
• Oversee creation and approval of work instructions, process documentation, and control plans
• Drive First Article Inspection (FAI) and production readiness reviews Quality & Compliance
• Ensure all NPI activities meet regulatory, customer, and industry standards (e.g., IPC standards)
• Support root cause analysis and corrective actions during early production phases
• Partner with Quality teams to ensure smooth handover to steady-state production Continuous Improvement
• Analyse NPI performance metrics (e.g., time to market, yield, cost variance)
• Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimise processes Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• On-time NPI delivery
• First pass yield / early production yield
• Time to production releas e
• NPI cost vs. target
• Customer satisfaction during NPI phase

About you

• Proven leadership experience in NPI, manufacturing engineering, or operations within the electronic manufacturing (EMS) sector
• Strong knowledge of PCB assembly, box build, and electronic systems integration
• Deep understanding of DFM, DFT, and DFA principles
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience working directly with customers in a technical or engineering capacity