NPI Project Engineer

The Role, At a Glance

• Lead new electronic products from design through full production launch
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to ensure products are built for manufacturability, quality, and scalability
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and process readiness in a fast-paced PCBA/EMS environment
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to meet project timelines, cost targets, and production goals
• Support production ramp activities, process validation, troubleshooting, and issue resolution
• Analyze manufacturing and quality data to improve yield and reduce risk
• Design and support tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing process improvements
• Play a hands-on role in continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing initiatives
• Ideal for someone who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, leading projects, and working closely with both engineering and production teams

JOIN MILWAUKEE ELECTRONICS – OVER 70 YEARS OF INNOVATION & EXCELLENCE

Milwaukee Electronics is a trusted electronics manufacturing services (EMS) partner with more than 70 years of experience helping customers bring innovative products to market. We support leading industrial and technology companies through engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing, and flexible production solutions. Guided by our core values — One Team, Take Ownership, Seek to Serve, and Go Beyond — we are committed to accelerating our customers’ success through collaboration, accountability, and operational excellence.

SUMMARY

The NPI Project Engineer leads the successful introduction of new electronic assemblies from concept through production. This role partners closely with engineering, operations, and supply chain to ensure products are designed for manufacturability, meet quality standards, and transition smoothly into production.

This is a hands-on, on-site role in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environment, requiring strong technical expertise, cross-functional leadership, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead and execute multiple New Product Introduction (NPI) projects from initial design through production ramp
• Define and drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) standards and manufacturing process requirements
• Partner with engineering and operations early in the design phase to ensure manufacturability and scalability
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to meet project timelines, cost targets, and quality expectations
• Manage NPI transitions, including process validation, production readiness, and issue resolution
• Analyze in-process quality data and lead corrective actions to improve yield and reduce risk
• Develop project plans, timelines, and cost estimates; monitor progress and adjust as needed
• Design and implement tooling, fixtures, and equipment to support efficient production
• Optimize production layouts, workflows, and resource utilization
• Collaborate with supply chain and engineering to determine the most cost-effective sourcing and production strategies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean manufacturing principles

 QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3–5+ years of experience in electronics manufacturing (PCBA preferred)
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes from assembly through test
• Experience supporting or leading NPI projects in a production environment
• Working knowledge of FMEA, DFM, and process validation (IQ/OQ/PQ)
• Ability to create and manage BOMs with minimal support
• Strong problem-solving skills with experience in root cause analysis and corrective actions
• Effective communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in surface mount technology (SMT) and PCBA manufacturing
• Familiarity with Lean tools (Kaizen, DOE, SPC, etc.)
• Experience designing or supporting fixtures and tooling
• Exposure to contract manufacturing environments (EMS)

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell.  The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This role is performed on-site in a manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with production equipment and teams.

MILWAUKEE ELECTRONICS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or age. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 414-228-5000 or [email protected].

For more information about our commitment to equal employment opportunity, please see this government poster: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (eeoc.gov). 

Because this job has access to controlled technology, we must comply with ITAR. Any job offers will be contingent on verification that the candidate is a U.S. person (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent resident, or individual granted asylum/refugee status in the U.S.) or can otherwise satisfy ITAR compliance requirements. If applicable, if an individual is not a U.S. person, our policy is to not take the extra step of seeking approval from the federal government for that person to work in this position.

Upon hire, the successful candidate must present acceptable proof of identity and current authorization to work in the U.S., as required on Form I-9. We do not provide sponsorship support for employment-based visas such as H-1B.

Qualifications Education Required Bachelors or better. Experience Required Ability to create BOM's Knowledge of FMEA Knowledge of Electronic Components New Product Engineering Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.