Manufacturing Engineer/NPI Engineer

About Us

Chefman is one of North America's leading brands of small kitchen appliances, committed to building best-in-class products that make cooking accessible and enjoyable. In 2020, we launched CHEF iQ — an ecosystem of connected smart kitchen appliances designed to transform how the world cooks through intuitive guided cooking experiences and IoT-enabled technology.

About the Role

We are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer / NPI Engineer to drive consumer hardware products from early prototyping through tooling and into high-volume mass production. You will serve as the primary engineering link between our US-based design teams, TPMs, and overseas manufacturing partners. This is a highly cross-functional, travel-intensive role requiring deep expertise in manufacturing processes, tooling validation, and root-cause failure analysis.

Responsibilities

• Drive NPI from early prototype through tooling validation and into high-volume mass production, ensuring quality, cost, and timing targets are met at every milestone
• Serve as the primary engineering liaison between US design teams, TPMs, and China manufacturing partners across all phases of production
• Review and approve factory SOPs, quality control plans, and assembly and test fixtures to ensure alignment with product specifications and Chefman standards
• Monitor daily production yields, analyze FPY data, and implement CAPA with factory quality teams to drive continuous improvement
• Lead technical deep-dives into component and system-level failures — including thermal, mechanical, and cosmetic issues — using 8D methodologies to identify root causes and prevent recurrence
• Support tooling development and validation including injection molding, sheet metal, and electromechanical components
• Develop and maintain manufacturing process documentation including BOMs, work instructions, assembly procedures, and process flow diagrams
• Collaborate with quality teams to define inspection criteria, testing protocols, and acceptance standards

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field
• 3–5 years of experience in manufacturing or NPI engineering, preferably in consumer electronics or small appliances
• Bilingual in Mandarin Chinese and English — required; ability to communicate technical concepts fluently in both languages on the factory floor is essential
• Must be US-based (Mahwah, NJ preferred) with ability to travel to China 50–75% of the time for extended factory stays
• Proficiency in SolidWorks or CREO
• Hands-on experience with injection molding, plastics, sheet metal, and electromechanical assembly processes
• Demonstrated experience leading root cause analysis using 8D, 5-Why, or Fishbone methodologies
• Strong working knowledge of FPY metrics, CAPA processes, and production quality systems
• Strong understanding of GD&T, DFMEA, and quality control methodologies
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience with ERP/PLM systems is a plus
• Familiarity with IoT or connected product manufacturing is a strong plus

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on innovative connected kitchen appliances at a fast-growing consumer brand
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where your work directly impacts the products consumers use every day
• Competitive compensation, international travel support, and room to grow with a company redefining the kitchen experience