NPI Quality Engineer - Mechanical

Saronic Technologies is a leader in revolutionizing autonomy at sea, dedicated to developing state-of-the-art solutions that enhance maritime operations through autonomous and intelligent platforms.

Overview: The New Product Introduction (NPI) Quality Engineer – Mechanical is responsible for ensuring that new products are designed, developed, and launched in compliance with quality standards and regulatory/stakeholder requirements. This role drives risk-based quality planning, ensuring that outputs from design and process development are effectively translated into control plans and inspection strategies to support scalable, repeatable manufacturing. The NPI Quality Engineer partners cross-functionally with Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Supplier Quality to proactively identify risks, implement controls, and ensure strong product realization from prototype through production.

NPI Quality Planning & Execution Lead quality activities throughout the NPI lifecycle Develop and maintain Quality plans aligned with program milestones Use best practices with regards to compliance with AS9100 / ISO 9001 requirements during product introduction Participate in design reviews, gate reviews, first article builds, engineering change reviews, and readiness assessments Risk Management & FMEA Lead or participate in Design FMEA (DFMEA) and Process FMEA (PFMEA) activities Identify critical risks related to product performance, manufacturing process, supplier capability, customer requirements, and regulatory requirements Drive risk mitigation actions and track closure Ensure PFMEA outputs are actionable and aligned with real production conditions Product and Process Validation Define and execute Product and Process Validation activities where applicable Drive closure of design, manufacturing, supplier, and test-related quality issues before production release Verify that all critical characteristics are adequately controlled Establish First Article Inspection (FAI) requirements Implement preventative actions to improve product reliability and manufacturability Supplier Quality Integration Collaborate with Supplier Quality to: Flow down requirements to suppliers Ensure supplier inspection and validation aligns with internal requirements Support supplier qualification and processes Nonconformance & Continuous Improvement Support MRB activities during NPI builds and early production Drive root cause analysis using structured methods across design, supplier, manufacturing, and field issues Feed lessons learned and continuous improvement activities back into development programs Documentation & QMS Integration Help develop and maintain DFMEA/PFMEA, control plans, inspection plans, and quality procedures Ensure documentation is controlled within the QMS system Support internal and external audits related to NPI activities Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering 3+ years in automotive, aerospace, defense, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems Strong knowledge of: PFMEA / DFMEA , control plans, inspection planning & metrology, root cause analysis methodologies Experience with AS9100, ISO 9001, or similar QMS standards Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret GD&T Preferred Qualifications Involvement in both small and large scale NPI / product lifecycle activities Familiarity with ASME Codes and Standards Experience working in integration/production environments Hands-on experience with MRB and nonconformance systems Physical Demands Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer Occasional standing and walking within the office Manual dexterity to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment Visual acuity to read screens, documents, and reports Occasional reaching, bending, or stooping to access file drawers, cabinets, or office supplies Lifting and carrying items up to 20 pounds occasionally (e.g., office