Introducing TechPoint
TechPoint Group, is one of the largest UK-owned CEMs. We supply EMS and supply chain services to leading technology companies across the UK and Europe. We operate from a modern, clean environment to support customers in the commercial, space, defence, transport, audio, motorsport, and instrumentation sectors. We have opened a new world-class facility and are looking for new talented people to join us on this exciting journey.
The Role
The Head of NPI Engineering is responsible for leading the end-to-end New Product Introduction (NPI) process within a high-mix, electronic manufacturing environment. This role ensures the seamless transition of products from design through to full-scale production, driving manufacturability, quality, cost efficiency, and on-time delivery.
You will act as the key interface between customers, design engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
Lead, develop, and mentor the NPI Engineering team
Define and implement NPI strategy aligned with business objectives and customer requirements
Drive a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and engineering excellence
New Product Introduction (NPI)
Own the full NPI lifecycle from concept review to production release
Ensure robust Design for Manufacture (DFM), Design for Test (DFT), and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles are applied
Lead project planning, risk management, and resource allocation for all NPI activities
Act as the primary escalation point for NPI-related issues
Customer & Stakeholder Management
Serve as the technical lead for customer engagements during the NPI phase
Collaborate with customers on design optimisation , cost reduction, and manufacturability improvements
Work cross-functionally with Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Account Management teams
Process & Production Readiness
Ensure manufacturing processes, tooling, and test solutions are fully validated prior to production
Oversee creation and approval of work instructions, process documentation, and control plans
Drive First Article Inspection (FAI) and production readiness reviews
Quality & Compliance
Ensure all NPI activities meet regulatory, customer, and industry standards (e.g., IPC standards)
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions during early production phases
Partner with Quality teams to ensure smooth handover to steady-state production
Continuous Improvement
Analyse NPI performance metrics (e.g., time to market, yield, cost variance)
Implement Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and optimise processes
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
On-time NPI delivery
First pass yield / early production yield
Time to production releas e
NPI cost vs. target
Customer satisfaction during NPI phase
About you
Proven leadership experience in NPI, manufacturing engineering, or operations within the electronic manufacturing (EMS) sector
Strong knowledge of PCB assembly, box build, and electronic systems integration
Deep understanding of DFM, DFT, and DFA principles
Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement tools
Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Experience working directly with customers in a technical or engineering capacity