NPI Project Engineer

Rock West Composites, Inc. has an exciting opportunity for a NPI Project Engineer. This onsite role is based at our San Diego HQ and involves close collaboration with our Tijuana, Baja California manufacturing facility, requiring regular travel.

Rock West Composites, Inc. is an engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to providing innovative solutions for commercial and government customers. This position is located in our San Diego North office and reports to our Estimating Manager.

Position Summary:

Lead the transition of new products from design to full-scale manufacturing, ensuring efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, optimizing processes, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. The ideal candidate will have strong engineering and production expertise to enhance manufacturing performance and ensure successful product launches.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the transfer of new manufacturing projects, ensuring timely follow-up on all activities across daily, weekly, monthly, and annual timelines.
• Enhance manufacturing efficiency by analyzing workflows, optimizing space utilization, and improving equipment design for both existing processes and project transitions.
• Lead the introduction of new equipment, processes, and mass production (NPI) products.
• Provide key data to plant management and relevant personnel for informed decision-making on production, labor, and material costs by reviewing plans and estimating future requirements.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product quality and process efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with government regulations, industry certifications, and internal quality standards.
• Design, install, and troubleshoot manufacturing equipment, fixtures, and tools to support production needs.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies to enhance quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Investigate and resolve manufacturing errors by identifying root causes through statistical analysis and recommending design or process modifications.
• Estimate costs and resource requirements for new designs, providing detailed reports and planning data.
• Evaluate product manufacturing against specifications and quality standards, ensuring clear communication of results to relevant teams.
• Integrate new methods and processes to improve existing operations in collaboration with other departments.
• Resolve operational challenges, including material variations and production bottlenecks.
• Address product issues related to design, materials, or processes, working with internal teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Engage with suppliers to oversee manufacturing processes, address concerns, and visit supplier locations as needed.
• Liaise with customers on current and new manufacturing processes, ensuring follow-ups and potential on-site visits when necessary.
• Participate in required training to stay updated on industry best practices and company standards.
• Report any issues impacting responsibilities or results to a supervisor in writing.
• Prepare and deliver reports on engineering projects and manufacturing performance to leadership and relevant teams.

Non-Essential:

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, preferably in Aerospace, Manufacturing, Composites, Materials & Process, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of composite manufacturing experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in project transfers, engineering project planning, and cost estimation.
• Proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Strong understanding of lean manufacturing (preferred) and program management principles.

Perks and Benefits:

• 100% Employer Paid Medical and Dental
• Annual Bonus
• 401K - 5% match
• Employee Stocks Option Program
• 9/80 work schedule
• 8- paid Holidays
• PTO: Max. 4-weeks after 5 years of employment
• $2,500 tuition reimbursement

Compensation:

The pay range for this position falls within $90,000 to $120,000. The final compensation will be determined based on experience, skillset, and other factors permitted by law.

Why should you want to work with us?

At Rock West Composites, we care about our employees! We offer exceptional benefits to our full-time team members, including 100% employer-paid Medical & Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, and a 401K match. Plus, you'll thrive in our fun and friendly working environment!

Rock West Composites is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the company to provide equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status or any other basis prohibited by state or federal law. Due to nature of defense contracts, US Citizenship is a requirement. As part of our Drug and Alcohol Policy, upon acceptance of any offer of employment, employment will be conditional of passing a required drug test and employee will become part of the random drug testing.

Accessibility:

If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact us at 858-537-6260