Contract NPI Engineer (3-6 Months) - Production in China

We are seeking an experienced  NPI Engineer to join our team on a 3-6 month contract and bolster our current team of engineers in driving the successful transition of a new product through Design Validation Testing (DVT), Production Validation Testing (PVT), and into mass production. This role focuses on managing a  Chinese contract manufacturer to ensure production deadlines are met while balancing technical risk and speed to market. Key Responsibilities •  Project Management: Oversee and coordinate all phases of the project lifecycle with the contract manufacturer, including DVT, PVT, and mass production ramp-up. •  Team Collaboration: Support and complement the internal engineering team to meet tight production deadlines. •  Risk Management: Maintain and communicate a  technical project risk register , ensuring risks are identified, tracked, mitigated, and addressed to balance technical challenges with deadlines. •  Manufacturing Processes: Ensure high-quality execution of mechanical injection molding, sheet metal bending, and SMT electronic component manufacturing. •  Assembly & Quality Assurance: Manage assembly quality and product lifecycle processes, implementing robust testing protocols to meet high standards. •  Certification & Market Entry: Lead preparation for CE certification and UK market compliance, ensuring all required documentation and testing are completed. •  Communication: Act as the primary liaison between internal teams and the contract manufacturer, ensuring clear communication, alignment on deliverables, and regular status updates. Requirements • Proven experience in  NPI project management , focusing on DVT -> PVT, and mass production rempup. • Strong knowledge of  manufacturing processes , including injection molding, sheet metal bending, and SMT. • Experience with  product lifecycle testing , quality assurance, and certification preparation for CE and UK markets. • Demonstrated ability to track and communicate  technical project risks effectively. • Exceptional communication and organizational skills to coordinate with both internal teams and external partners. • Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage tight deadlines under pressure. Contract Terms • Duration: 3-6 months • Location: Remote with potential travel to manufacturing sites in China. This role is critical in ensuring a smooth path to production and market launch while managing technical risks and ensuring quality standards are met. If you thrive in fast-paced environments and have a track record of balancing risk and speed, we’d love to hear from you!