Role Summary
The incumbent will be responsible for end-to-end Process Engineering and New Product Development (NPD) activities, including process planning, CNC programming, tooling and fixture development, process validation, and product industrialization. The role requires strong expertise in machining processes, CNC programming, manufacturing optimization, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful product launches and operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Process Engineering & Manufacturing
- Study and interpret engineering drawings, customer specifications, and technical requirements.
- Develop manufacturing process plans, routing sheets, and machining operation sequences.
- Define optimal machining methods for CNC Turning, VMC, and other machining processes.
- Design and develop fixtures, jigs, gauges, and tooling concepts to support manufacturing requirements.
- Select appropriate cutting tools and optimize machining parameters to achieve productivity and quality targets.
- Develop, validate, and optimize CNC programs for Turning and VMC machines.
- Conduct machine prove-outs, process trials, and validation activities.
- Establish and monitor process capability through Cp/Cpk studies.
- Prepare SOPs, Work Instructions, Process Flow Diagrams, and process documentation.
- Provide technical support to production teams during pilot and mass production stages.
- Drive process improvements to reduce cycle time, improve productivity, and enhance process stability.
New Product Development (NPD)
- Manage complete NPD activities from feasibility study to production handover.
- Conduct technical, manufacturing, capacity, and cost feasibility analysis for new products.
- Develop manufacturing strategies and process concepts for new product introduction.
- Plan machine requirements, tooling, manpower, and production capacity.
- Coordinate prototype development, pilot runs, and product validation activities.
- Ensure successful industrialization and smooth transition from development to production.
- Monitor project milestones and ensure on-time execution of development projects.
- Support customer engineering changes and product modifications.
Quality Systems & Compliance
- Coordinate with Quality teams for inspection plans, control plans, and validation requirements.
- Support APQP activities and ensure compliance with customer-specific requirements.
- Prepare and support PPAP documentation and submissions.
- Develop and maintain PFMEA, Process Flow Charts, Control Plans, MSA, and SPC documentation.
- Ensure process readiness and compliance before production release.
- Participate in internal, customer, and certification audits.
Cross-Functional Coordination
- Collaborate closely with Production, Quality, SCM, Maintenance, Tool Room, and Design teams.
- Coordinate with suppliers for outsourced processes, tooling development, and component manufacturing.
- Support procurement activities related to tooling, gauges, and development requirements.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination across all stakeholders for successful project execution.
Continuous Improvement & Cost Optimization
- Identify and implement productivity improvement initiatives.
- Optimize cycle times, machining parameters, and tool utilization.
- Improve cutting tool life and reduce manufacturing costs.
- Conduct Root Cause Analysis and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Support RFQ costing, process costing, and investment planning activities.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to quality, productivity, and cost reduction.
Key Skills & Competencies
Mandatory Skills (Essential Requirement)
- Hands-on expertise in CNC Programming (Turning and/or VMC), including program development, prove-out, cycle time optimization, and process validation.
- Strong knowledge of tooling selection, fixture/jig design, and process engineering for precision machining applications.
- Proven experience in process planning, machining sequence development, and manufacturing process optimization.
- Ability to independently develop, validate, and industrialize machining processes for new product development and production.
- Strong understanding of engineering drawing interpretation and GD&T.
- Experience in process capability studies, machining trials, and process validation activities.
Preferred Skills
- Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plan, MSA, and SPC.
- Strong understanding of Root Cause Analysis and problem-solving methodologies.
- Experience in project management and NPD execution.
- Knowledge of costing, cycle time estimation, and capacity planning.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Excel.
- Leadership and cross-functional coordination skills.
- Exposure to ERP systems and manufacturing documentation practices.
Educational Qualification
- Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related discipline.
Experience
Engineer
- 3–5 years of relevant experience in Process Engineering, CNC Programming, or NPD.
Senior Engineer
- 5–8 years of experience in machining process development, CNC programming, and product industrialization.
Assistant Manager
- 8–12 years of experience in Process Engineering and NPD, including project leadership and team management.
Preferred Industry Background
- Automotive Components
- Precision Machining
- Forging & Machined Components
- Industrial Engineering Manufacturing
- OEM / Tier-1 Supplier Environment
