Job description

Job Description The NPI Leader for the Endicott Factory is responsible for driving all development‐phase production activity across the Endicott campus, ensuring smooth transition of new products from engineering into production. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for NPI programs, enabling flawless launches, maturation of manufacturing processes, and alignment with the broader CAS Manufacturing and Operational Excellence framework. The NPI Leader reports directly to the CAS Operations Director, ensuring visibility and prioritization of development work across the site. Key Responsibilities • Own all NPI activity for the Endicott factory, providing direction, prioritization, and coordination across Engineering, Operations, Test, Supply Chain, and OpEx teams. • Align site NPI execution to the Common Manufacturing Hub and CAS business area strategy, adopting standardized processes, nomenclature, and RACI structures. • Champion development-phase readiness, resource planning, capacity alignment, and early risk identification to support successful product introduction. • Lead NPI scheduling, readiness, and performance metrics, including HPU variance drivers, aged WIP, and development-phase CoPQ, ensuring systemic improvements and corrective actions are implemented. • Partner cross-functionally to resolve barriers such as material constraints, engineering release issues, test capability gaps, supplier readiness, and digital thread maturity. • Ensure consistent communication of program priorities, readiness indicators, and NPI health to site and BA leadership. • Work closely with the OpEx team to mature development build processes, improve manufacturability, reduce rework/scrap, and enhance first-pass yield for development programs. • Lead and develop a cross-functional NPI team, fostering strong team norms, role clarity, and high accountability. • Support employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and communication structures that enhance team cohesion and NPI program transparency. • Build strong working relationships across sites as NPI organizations continue to centralize and align. Required Education, Experience, & Skills • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing), Operations Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree • Proven experience leading NPI, Operations Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar development-phase operations in a complex manufacturing environment. • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams. • Strong analytical, planning, and prioritization skills; experience with readiness metrics, capacity planning, and development-phase performance tracking. • Understanding of manufacturing process development, DFM principles, and coordination with Engineering during early lifecycle phases. • Ability to communicate effectively at all organizational levels, including site and executive leadership. Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills • Master’s degree in Engineering, Operations, Business Administration (MBA), Systems Engineering, or related discipline. • Formal training or certification in lean methodologies (Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, OpEx certification, or equivalent). • Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing environments, including familiarity with digital thread, PLM systems, design maturity cycles, test strategy, or regulated production environments. • Prior leadership responsibility for NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, or OpEx teams, particularly within a matrixed or hub‑and‑spoke organizational model as seen in Endicott’s structure. Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $153377 - $260743 Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience. Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems, Inc. BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support. Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters. This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Requirements

Must-haves

Own all NPI activity for the Endicott factory, providing direction, prioritization, and coordination across Engineering, Operations, Test, Supply Chain, and OpEx teams.
Align site NPI execution to the Common Manufacturing Hub and CAS business area strategy, adopting standardized processes, nomenclature, and RACI structures.
Champion development-phase readiness, resource planning, capacity alignment, and early risk identification to support successful product introduction.
Lead NPI scheduling, readiness, and performance metrics, including HPU variance drivers, aged WIP, and development-phase CoPQ, ensuring systemic improvements and corrective actions are implemented.
Partner cross-functionally to resolve barriers such as material constraints, engineering release issues, test capability gaps, supplier readiness, and digital thread maturity.
Ensure consistent communication of program priorities, readiness indicators, and NPI health to site and BA leadership.
Work closely with the OpEx team to mature development build processes, improve manufacturability, reduce rework/scrap, and enhance first-pass yield for development programs.
Lead and develop a cross-functional NPI team, fostering strong team norms, role clarity, and high accountability.
Support employee engagement initiatives, recognition programs, and communication structures that enhance team cohesion and NPI program transparency.
Build strong working relationships across sites as NPI organizations continue to centralize and align.
Required Education, Experience, & Skills • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Manufacturing), Operations Management, Supply Chain, or equivalent experience in lieu of a degree
Proven experience leading NPI, Operations Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or similar development-phase operations in a complex manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams.
Strong analytical, planning, and prioritization skills; experience with readiness metrics, capacity planning, and development-phase performance tracking.
Understanding of manufacturing process development, DFM principles, and coordination with Engineering during early lifecycle phases.
Formal training or certification in lean methodologies (Lean Six Sigma Green/Black Belt, OpEx certification, or equivalent).
Experience in aerospace/defense manufacturing environments, including familiarity with digital thread, PLM systems, design maturity cycles, test strategy, or regulated production environments.
Prior leadership responsibility for NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, Test Engineering, or OpEx teams, particularly within a matrixed or hub‑and‑spoke organizational model as seen in Endicott’s structure.
Pay Information
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.

Nice-to-haves

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Effort: medium

Benefits

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Dental

Vision

401(K)

Paid Time Off