Sr NPI Manufacturing Engineer

At Polaris Inc., we have fun doing what we love by driving change and innovation. We empower employees to take on challenging assignments and roles with an elevated level of responsibility in our agile working environment. Our people make us who we are, and we create incredible products and experiences that empower us to THINK OUTSIDE.

Position Summary

The Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for leading manufacturing readiness and execution for new product introductions, from early product development through pre-production builds, launch, ramp-up, and transition to full-scale production. This role provides technical leadership across manufacturing processes, tooling, fixtures, equipment, workstations, and production systems to ensure new products are launched safely, efficiently, and according to quality, cost, and schedule requirements.

The position works cross-functionally with Product Engineering, Operations, Quality, Materials, Planning, Process Technicians, suppliers, and other manufacturing teams to identify risks, influence product and process design, and ensure manufacturing requirements are incorporated throughout the product development process.

Required Qualifications

• •Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechatronics, Aeronautical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• •Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in Manufacturing Engineering, NPI, Process Engineering, or related manufacturing roles.
• •Demonstrated experience owning new product launches and manufacturing readiness activities from development through production ramp-up.
• •Strong knowledge of APQP and Core Tools, including PFMEA, Process Flow, Control Plans, PPAP, MSA, SPC, and process capability.
• •Experience with DFM/DFA/DFAM and manufacturing feasibility assessments.
• •Strong experience developing manufacturing processes, assembly sequences, Standard Work, work instructions, labor standards, and operating/setup requirements.
• •Experience defining, designing, or developing tooling, fixtures, poka-yokes, and custom manufacturing solutions.
• •Experience defining manufacturing equipment requirements and supporting equipment installation, commissioning, validation, and production implementation.
• •Experience conducting design reviews and using CAD models and engineering data to evaluate product manufacturability.
• •Experience leading structured root-cause analysis and corrective actions using methodologies such as 8D and CAPA.
• •Strong understanding of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• •Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• •Strong project organization skills with the ability to manage schedules, risks, actions, resources, and deliverables through launch.
• •Fluent English proficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Final assembly experience within automotive, powersports, aerospace, electronics, or electromechanical manufacturing environments.
• •Experience with Creo and/or SolidWorks for 3D CAD and design reviews.
• •Experience with AutoCAD for manufacturing layouts.
• •Experience with assembly tooling, fixtures, torque applications, functional test equipment, programming/fill systems, material handling, ergonomic assists, production carriers, and packaging interfaces.
• •Experience supporting capital planning, equipment specifications, supplier quotations, equipment runoffs, and manufacturing investments.
• •Experience with direct labor studies, workstation layouts, line balancing, and labor optimization.
• •Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Project; experience with PowerPoint for technical and program reporting.
• •Working knowledge of Power BI or similar visualization tools.
• •PMP or formal project-management training.
• •Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification.
• •MBA or other advanced degree.
• •Experience supporting global or multi-site manufacturing organizations.

Position Overview

The Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer leads the development and maturation of manufacturing processes for new product introductions, ensuring manufacturing readiness throughout the Product Development Process (PDP). The role develops manufacturing processes, process documentation, work instructions, assembly sequences, labor standards, Standard Work, and production requirements while ensuring alignment with APQP deliverables and launch objectives.

A key responsibility is conducting DFAM and manufacturing feasibility evaluations using CAD models, design reviews, manufacturing assessments, and lessons learned from production. The position works closely with Product Engineering and manufacturing stakeholders to influence product and process designs for improved manufacturability, assembly simplification, ergonomics, safety, quality, labor efficiency, and cost.

The role owns system-level PFMEAs for new product launches, including development, review, risk identification, mitigation, maintenance, and action closure. The Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer ensures manufacturing controls are aligned with Control Plans and leads structured problem-solving and corrective-action activities to reduce manufacturing and launch risks.

Responsibilities also include defining and developing tooling, custom fixtures, poka-yokes, equipment, workstations, and production-system requirements for new products. The position supports technical specifications, quotations, capital requirements, supplier runoffs, installation, commissioning, process validation, and implementation into production, ensuring equipment and existing manufacturing systems are successfully adapted to new product requirements.

The Senior NPI Manufacturing Engineer owns assigned manufacturing deliverables throughout the PDP and coordinates pre-production and production builds, manufacturing readiness reviews, process validation, production trials, ramp-up activities, post-build reporting, lessons learned, and transition into full-scale production.

Throughout the launch process, this role provides technical leadership across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Materials, Planning, Process Technicians, suppliers, and other cross-functional partners. The position maintains alignment on requirements, schedules, manufacturing risks, resources, open actions, and production readiness while driving issues through closure.

Additionally, the role supports the development of labor, tooling, capital, investment, and standard-cost requirements, contributes to make-versus-buy and program decisions, and identifies opportunities to improve safety, quality, cost, productivity, Standard Work, and overall launch execution.

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We are an ambitious, resourceful, and driven workforce, which empowers us to THINK OUTSIDE. Apply today!

About Polaris Industries, Inc.

As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe.

North Pole Star, S. de R.L. de C.V. (Polaris Mexico) is at the forefront of innovation in the powersports industry, manufacturing world-class vehicles that inspire adventure, we are home of RZR, ATV, General, Sportsman and other greats brands. With a focus on quality, teamwork, and cutting-edge technology, our Mexico operations are our largest global manufacturing facility site with more than 5,000 employees. Here at Polaris Mexico, we have engineering support from our new Product Development Center and physically assemble each one of our all-off-road vehicles with processes of injection molding, tube fabrication, welding, engines assembly, liquid and metal paint, and 6 assembly lines. We are committed to creating a dynamic work environment where talent thrives, and bold ideas come to life. Join Polaris Mexico, where passion meets innovation! ww