New Product Introduction Program Manager Jobs in Iowa

Purpose

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer 2 is responsible for transitioning Research and Development (R&D) prototypes into production-ready products for EFCO’s manufacturing and distribution operations. This role focuses on design for manufacturability, cost optimization, production documentation, supplier technical support, and early production validation to ensure new products are safe, repeatable, cost-effective, and aligned with EFCO’s quality standards.

The NPI Engineer 2 serves as the primary technical owner during the commercialization phase of new products and supports successful transitions from R&D to manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Design for Manufacturability & Cost Optimization (30%) 

• Review R&D designs to ensure products are manufacturable, durable, and cost-effective for EFCO’s manufacturing department.
• Develop and maintain preliminary and detailed cost estimates for materials, fabrication, and assembly to support budgeting, pricing, and design decisions.
• Identify and implement cost-reduction opportunities while maintaining structural integrity, safety, and performance requirements.
• Collaborate with R&D Engineers, Manufacturing, and other stakeholders to optimize materials, weldments, tolerances, and fabrication methods.
• Exercise sound judgment to ensure design changes do not compromise validated testing or design intent.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Product Enablement 25%) 

• Partner with other departments to ensure new products meet functional, operational, and market requirements.
• Provide the teams with the technical information, drawings, and documentation they need to effectively sell, support, and service the product during initial product rollout.
• Identify potential gaps or challenges from a departmental perspective and work proactively with R&D, Manufacturing, and other engineering functions to resolve them prior to product launch.

Early Production Support (20%) 

• Provide engineering oversight and support during first article inspections, initial production runs, and early production build-out for new products.
• Verify that manufactured parts meet design intent, specifications, and EFCO quality standards.
• Apply structured root cause analysis to investigate nonconformances, deviations, or recurring issues identified during first builds, distinguishing design-related causes from manufacturing or supplier-driven factors.
• Identify and resolve gaps in design, documentation, specifications, or processes, while implementing engineering changes as required to support efficient, repeatable production.
• Collaborate closely with Manufacturing and Quality teams to define and implement corrective actions and validate their effectiveness, ensuring readiness for transition to standard manufacturing operations.

Supplier & Purchasing Technical Support (15%) 

• Serve as the technical point of contact for suppliers during new product introduction.
• Define and clarify technical requirements for purchased components and outsourced processes.
• Respond to supplier questions regarding drawings, specifications, and manufacturability.
• Manage approval of technical drawings or alternates in collaboration with Purchasing while maintaining performance, quality, and cost objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Contribution (10%) 

• Collaborate with R&D Engineers to create the initial development of engineering tools, templates, and best practices for Project Engineers.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices for new product introductions to support EFCO’s engineering processes.

Additional duties may be assigned to meet organizational goals and priorities. Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity, may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing, to meet organizational goals and priorities.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field required.
  
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing engineering, new product introduction, or similar experience. Experience in a steel or aluminum fabrication environment preferred.
  
• Certification(s) and License(s): Professional Engineer (P.E.) preferred but not required.
  
• Leadership: Demonstrated success in leading teams and developing multi-departmental programs. Strong process development and cross-functional coordination experience.
  
• Computer Skills: Proficient in standard office software; experience with Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks preferred.
  
• Other Requirements: Strong mechanical aptitude and practical engineering judgment. Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing environment and collaborate across departments.

Core Competencies

• Technical Skills: Proficiently uses job-specific tools, systems, and procedures to perform tasks effectively.
  
• Judgment: Makes sound decisions by evaluating facts, risks, and potential outcomes.
  
• Responsibility: Takes ownership of actions, tasks, and outcomes; follows through on commitments.
  
• Communication: Clearly conveys ideas and information verbally and effectively in writing, adapting style to audience and setting.
  
• Collaboration: Works well with others toward shared goals, contributing constructively to team efforts.

Working Arrangement

• This role will work 100% onsite at our Des Moines, IA headquarters.

Physical Demands

Medium: Exerting 20 to 50 lbs of force occasionally and/or 10 -25 lbs force frequently and/or up to 10 lbs of force constantly. Physical demand requirements are greater than that required for Light Work.

To ensure a safe work environment while meeting the physical demands of the job you must be able to perform the following physical and mental tasks with or with or without reasonable accommodation:

• Balancing- Maintaining equilibrium when walking, climbing, crouching, sitting, standing, etc.: Constantly
• Repetitive Motions - Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers: Occasionally
• Sitting/Standing- Must be able to sit or stand as required for extended periods of time: Frequently
• Stooping- Bending at the waist: Occasionally
• Lifting motions or lifting objects up to 50 lbs.: Occasionally
• Walking: Frequently
• Climbing- Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles etc.: Occasionally
• Hearing- Must be able to discern warning sounds and spoken language: Frequently
• Talking: Frequently
• Capacity to think, concentrate and focus for long periods of time: Frequently
• Ability to read complex documents in the English language: Frequently
• Capacity to reason and make sound decisions: Frequently
• Ability to write complex documents in the English language: Frequently
• Capacity to express thoughts orally: Frequently
• Expertise in:
• Ability to regularly perform all job functions at company office or worksite
• Ability to withstand environmental conditions such as extreme heat or cold, grass, wind, sand, fumes, odors, gases, noises. Etc.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment as required