Manufacturing Engineer (npi)

Waabi Waabi · Robotics · Pittsburgh, PA · Mechanical Engineering

This role is for a Manufacturing Engineer focused on New Product Introduction (NPI) for autonomous vehicle hardware. The responsibilities include driving APQP, DFM/DFA, supplier quality, mechanical assembly, test, and integration of sensors, compute, and actuation systems. The role also involves developing EOL testers, process PPAP deliverables, qualifying manufacturing equipment, and leading root cause analysis for assembly failures. While the company develops Physical AI for autonomous vehicles, this specific role is focused on the manufacturing engineering aspects of the hardware, not the AI/ML development itself.

What you'd actually do

  1. Drive APQP Program Management at CM/Tier 1 sites, owning APQP to ensure a flawless Start of Production (SOP) and obtain PPAP deliverables.
  2. Design for Manufacturing (DFM) & Assembly (DFA): Provide design maturity feedback during APQP Phase 2, ensuring that the hardware can be built repeatedly with the CM’s specific tooling and equipment.
  3. Work closely with the software team to define, deploy, and validate End-of-Line (EOL) testers and calibration routines that confirm the "digital health" of the hardware.
  4. Lead the development of Process PPAP deliverables, including PFMEAs, Process Flow Diagrams, Control Plans, and Work Instructions ensuring the CM has identified and mitigated all assembly-related risks with "Poka-Yoke" (error-proofing) solution, and has established a robust manufacturing process.
  5. Lead internal and CM-based RCCA (Root Cause Corrective Action) using the 8D methodology to resolve technical assembly failures during manufacturing.

Skills

Required

  • Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering or similar fields
  • NPI & CM Oversight Experience
  • Technical ownership of the launch cycle
  • Advanced APQP & PPAP Management
  • Proficient with Solidworks
  • Expertise in GD&T & Metrology
  • Problem-Solving Expert (8D and RCCA)
  • Experience with PLM tools and document revision control
  • Experience with various manufacturing processes (precision torque, TIM dispensing, sensor calibration)
  • Present manufacturing readiness to cross-functional teams

Nice to have

  • Automotive, Aerospace, Autonomous Vehicle (AV) or EV industry experience
  • IPC/WHMA-A-620 and IPC-A-610 knowledge
  • Experience with Robotic Workcells or automated assembly systems
  • Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) or Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

What the JD emphasized

  • flawless Start of Production (SOP)
  • hardware can be built repeatedly
  • confirm the "digital health" of the hardware
  • mitigated all assembly-related risks
  • robust manufacturing process
  • consistently met through MSA (Measurement Systems Analysis) and Gage R&R
  • sustain quality targets at full production speed
  • resolve technical assembly failures during manufacturing
  • qualified via Gage R&R before production use
  • update manufacturing Control Plans based on real-world performance data
  • launching automotive or high-tech hardware
  • transition from prototype to a production-validated manufacturing line
  • manufacturing process stability (Cpk)
  • overseeing full PPAP submissions for complex electromechanical systems
  • verify complex mechanical tolerances in a production environment
  • lead high-pressure technical resolution activities during a production ramp