Senior New Product Development Engineer.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end New Product Development (NPD) activities for sheet metal components.
• Review customer requirements, 2D/3D drawings, specifications, and technical documents.
• Develop sheet metal components considering manufacturability, cost, quality, and production feasibility.
• Conduct DFM/DFA reviews and provide inputs for design improvements.
• Prepare and review process flow, process plans, BOM, control plans, and manufacturing documentation.
• Coordinate with Design and Tooling teams for development of press tools, dies, fixtures, and gauges.
• Handle tool try-outs, sampling, trials, corrections, and process validation.
• Support APQP and PPAP activities including documentation and submission.
• Work on FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, capability studies, and other quality core tools.
• Analyze product and process issues using 5 Why, Fishbone, 8D, and other root-cause analysis techniques.
• Coordinate with suppliers for tool development, component development, trials, and quality improvement.
• Monitor development timelines and ensure projects are completed as per target dates.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, cycle-time improvement, material optimization, and process improvement.
• Conduct and support prototype, pre-production, and production trials.
• Resolve dimensional, quality, and process-related issues during development and launch.
• Ensure smooth transition of new products from development to mass production.
• Maintain all NPD-related documentation and development records.
• Work closely with Production and Quality teams during SOP and ramp-up.
• Support customer visits, technical discussions, audits, and product-related meetings when required.

Required Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of Sheet Metal Manufacturing and Press Shop processes.
• Good understanding of press tools, dies, fixtures, gauges, and tooling concepts.
• Knowledge of blanking, piercing, bending, deep drawing, forming, and progressive operations.
• Strong understanding of 2D drawings, 3D models, GD&T, tolerances, and engineering specifications.
• Hands-on experience in APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC, and 8D.
• Knowledge of DFM/DFA and manufacturability concepts.
• Experience in prototype development, tool trials, product validation, and SOP activities.
• Good knowledge of root cause analysis and problem-solving techniques.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD / CATIA / SolidWorks or similar CAD software is preferred.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems will be an added advantage.

Education

• Bachelors Degree / Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Automobile Engineering, or a related field.

Desired Candidate Profile

• 6+ years of relevant experience in New Product Development, Product Development, or Manufacturing Engineering, preferably in the automotive sheet metal industry.
• Strong hands-on experience in sheet metal component development and press shop processes.
• Experience in handling multiple NPD projects independently.
• Good communication, coordination, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, tooling vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical approach with a focus on quality, cost, delivery, and productivity.
• Ability to manage development activities under tight timelines.