New Product Introduction Engineer

About us:

flo Optics is a dynamic startup on a mission to revolutionize how eyeglass lenses are made. We’re taking the messy, slow wet chemistry out of lens coating and replacing it with a high-tech inkjet “printer” that layers protective and functional coatings with pixel-level control. Imagine working with a machine that can apply scratch-resistant or UV coatings digitally, in any pattern you want, right in the optics lab.

Role Overview:

The NPI Engineer plays a critical role in bridging the gap between Research & Development and Manufacturing. This position ensures that new products and design changes are smoothly transitioned into production. The ideal candidate will manage engineering data and oversee change control processes to ensure high-quality and efficient production.

Key Responsibilities:

Drive Engineering Changes

• ECO Lifecycle Management: Initiate, track, and manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) in close collaboration with the R&D team.
• Change Implementation: Drive the execution of approved ECOs across all relevant departments, ensuring alignment with procurement, system integration, and field service teams.
• Version Control: Monitor and track pending machine changes and equipment upgrades to ensure production matches the latest approved designs.

Bridge R&D and Manufacturing

• Design for Excellence (DfX) Authority: Actively drive the NPI agenda across the full design lifecycle (ConDR, PDR, DR, and CDR). You will serve as the critical filter between R&D innovation and manufacturing reality, evaluating and approving design modifications to ensure maximum yield, reliability, and cost-effectiveness before the initial unit reaches the production floor.
• Act as the primary technical guide and focal point for our key manufacturing partners. In this role, you will navigate complex engineering issues, troubleshoot technical gaps, and ensure that the original R&D vision translates seamlessly from the initial handoff through full-scale production.

Manage Product Data & Systems

• BOM Creation & Maintenance: Build, structure, and maintain comprehensive Machine Bills of Materials (BOMs) within the enterprise ERP system.
• Part Lifecycle Management: Manage part numbers, assemblies, and engineering revisions to ensure complete accuracy for procurement and production.
• System Administration: Manage day-to-day PDM workflows, including lifecycle state transitions, revision matching, and the accurate exporting of manufacturing files (e.g., STEP, PDFs).
• Component Library Administration: Manage the internal catalog of purchased items within the PDM system, ensuring accurate and organized data for engineering and purchasing.
• User Training & Support: Provide training for new users, manage system permissions, and offer ongoing technical support for the PDM environment.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering
• Experience: 4+ years of experience as an NPI Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, or in a similar role
• Systems Experience: Experience working with complex, multi-disciplinary systems (Mechanics, Electronics, Motion) is a strong advantage
• SolidWorks: Must
• SolidWorks PDM: Advantage
• Priority (ERP): Advantage