NPI Engineer
Copello are working with a leading advanced manufacturing organisation in County Durham to recruit NPI Engineers (all levels of experience) for a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility.
This is an exciting opportunity to apply your manufacturing expertise to the introduction of highly advanced RF and mmWave technologies, supporting the transition of complex products from development and prototype builds into stable, scalable production.
We are particularly interested in engineers from electronics, Tier-1 automotive, or other high-reliability manufacturing environments. Experience in structured product industrialisation, process discipline, and high-volume production will translate strongly into this advanced engineering setting.
This role offers the chance to build on your existing manufacturing knowledge while developing specialist skills in RF and semiconductor technologies.
The Role
You will be responsible for leading the successful introduction of new RF and microwave products into manufacturing, ensuring designs transition from development and prototype phases into stable, repeatable, and cost-effective production.
Working cross-functionally with design, mechanical, test, quality, and manufacturing teams, you will coordinate pilot builds, validate processes, and ensure full manufacturing readiness.
Technical Scope
You will work across a range of technologies and disciplines, including:
- RF and microwave module manufacturing
- Semiconductor and RF electronics assembly
- New Product Introduction (NPI) and industrialisation
- Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Process validation and manufacturing readiness
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) and capability analysis
- Root cause methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, and FMEA
- Process flows, PFMEA, and Control Plans
What You Will Be Doing
- Lead the introduction of new RF and microwave products into manufacturing
- Deliver NPI plans from prototype through to production release
- Coordinate pilot builds and production readiness reviews
- Drive DFM/DFA reviews to improve manufacturability
- Define tooling, fixturing, and automation requirements
- Develop process flows, control plans, and manufacturing documentation
- Support early production builds and ramp-up activities
- Analyse production data to improve yield and efficiency
- Lead root-cause investigations using structured methodologies
- Collaborate closely with design, quality, and operations teams
About You
You will bring strong technical and analytical capability, with the confidence to work across multidisciplinary engineering teams.
We are interested in candidates with:
- Degree or HND in Electronic Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in high-precision manufacturing environments (e.g. automotive, electronics, power electronics)
- Experience transitioning products from development/prototype into production
- Experience with structured problem-solving methodologies such as 8D, DMAIC, or FMEA
- Knowledge of process flows, PFMEA, and control plans
Desirable Experience
- CAD tools such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD
- Statistical process control and data analysis
- High-precision electronics or semiconductor manufacturing
- Knowledge of RF manufacturing
- Experience working within ISO 9001 or IATF 16949 environments
Why Apply?
- Opportunity to work on cutting-edge communications technology
- Apply and expand your manufacturing expertise within a specialist sector
- Develop skills in RF and semiconductor manufacturing
- Collaborate with highly skilled, multidisciplinary teams
- Play a key role in scaling advanced UK manufacturing capability