NPI Lead – Precision Engineering (Nuclear, Defence, Aerospace and Energy)
Location: Nottingham
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 (Dependant on experience)

EMBS Engineering has been instructed on an exclusive basis to appoint a critical hire for a highly respected, precision engineering business specialising in build-to-print solutions for demanding sectors including Nuclear, Aerospace, Defence, and Energy. Known for technical excellence, quality, and long-term customer partnerships, our client is looking to expand and hit new record heights.

Are you the bridge between a visionary design and a physical product?

We are seeking a high-caliber New Product Introduction (NPI) Lead to spearhead the transition of customer build-to-print designs into full-scale manufacturing. Operating within a fast-paced subcontract environment, you will be the central coordinator ensuring that every new product is launched on time, within cost targets, and at peak quality levels.

The Role:

As the NPI Lead, you own the industrialisation phase. You are the critical link between the customer, sales, engineering, supply chain, and production. Your mission is to take a customer’s design handoff and transform it into a repeatable, stable manufacturing process. You will lead end-to-end NPI programs, managing everything from initial risk analysis to the final production ramp-up and handover.

What's in it for you?

£50,000 – £55,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
Stability & Longevity - Permanent position
Hours: 39 per week - early finish on Fridays
Company bonus scheme
25 days holiday
My EAP
Healthshield care plan
Sick pay + much more
Benefits: Pension, holiday entitlement, healthcare, appraisals and much more

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and maintain NPI project plans and timelines.
Lead cross-functional teams and facilitate design reviews, manufacturability assessments (DFM), and risk analyses (PFMEA).
Interpret and validate customer documentation (drawings, BOMs, specifications).
Drive process development, including work instructions, tooling, and fixture requirements.
Oversee material readiness for pilot builds and validate BOM accuracy.
Work with procurement and suppliers to achieve cost targets and qualify critical components.
Ensure all products meet internal and customer standards, managing First Article Inspection (FAI) and PPAP processes while leading root-cause analysis for any launch-phase issues.
Conduct readiness assessments to ensure lines are capable and stable.
Define and meet key metrics like cycle time and scrap before transitioning to volume manufacturing.

About You:

To excel in this role, you should be a technically minded leader who enjoys the challenges of manufacturing. We are looking for:

The Technical Interpreter: You can dive deep into complex build-to-print documentation, drawings, and tolerances to ensure they align with process capabilities.
The Collaborative Coordinator: You have the interpersonal skills to align diverse departments—from Sales to Quality—toward a single launch goal.
The Problem Solver: You are proactive in identifying risks through PFMEA and trials, capturing "lessons learned" to refine designs and processes.
The Results-Driven Manager: You are motivated by on-time, on-budget delivery and take pride in high customer satisfaction and repeat business.

Why join?

You’ll be joining a forward-thinking precision engineering business with strong values, a collaborative culture, and a clear commitment to long-term customer success. This role offers autonomy, visibility, and the opportunity to make a tangible impact in a respected aerospace, nuclear and defence supply chain.

Apply directly or, for more information, email - sean@embstalent.co.uk

About us:

EMBS Engineering is a dedicated talent specialist that partners with some of the UK's most prestigious, advanced, precision engineering companies within the Aerospace, Automotive / Motorsport, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, Green, Environmental, and FMCG industries.

We’ll offer you expert support and advice throughout the process to ensure you select and secure a career-defining role

Please note, due to the nature of the markets our client supplies into, all candidates must be UK residents, we cannot offer visa sponsorship for overseas candidate