Sr Project Engineer, NPI

Sr Project Engineer, NPI

Work Mode: Onsite

Location: Onsite four days per week, Kohler WI

Opportunity

This is more than a job posting for Kohler Company, one of the oldest and largest privately held companies in North America. This is an invitation to collaborate and apply your craft in a creative conscious and characterful culture.

As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, New Product Integration (NPI) you will engage as a core project team member, as well as the operations leader, to drive early manufacturing involvement and execute the manufacturing New Product Development (NPD) deliverables, while synchronizing with plant NPI and Operations teams to ensure new products are “Right the First Time,” achieving Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Drive Manufacturing input into NPD projects to improve design effectiveness and reliability through Design for Manufacture and assembly (DFMA), design reviews, Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) and regular feedback.
  
• Project Manager for all operations functions such as quality, engineering, data services production, and materials, related to NPI and NPD projects. These projects include, but are not limited to, new product launches, DfX initiatives, fulfillment strategies, Plan for Every Part (PFEP), cost reduction implementations, capacity evaluations, supply chain integrity, costing, REA initiation, and process development.
  
• Build product cost models, with plant NPI and Operations support, to actively manage product costs through development and meet launch targets.
  
• Provide technical support for Make versus Buy analysis, utilizing cash cost modeling and consideration of Global Capacity and Asset Optimization.
  
• Together with plant NPI and Operations, develop plant project execution timelines and project plans for all manufacturing locations and feed back into overall timelines for projects.

Accountable, in coordination with plant NPI personnel, for achieving scheduled ‘Inventory in Stock’ date. Support plant NPI and Operations project managers, on all projects as assigned, to ensure complete and accurate communication of project facts.
Responsible for fulfilling all Operations related deliverables for Global Kitchen and Bath NPD process, including the active creation and execution of contingency plans to mitigate risk or to keep project launches on schedule.

Drive Time to Market Improvements. Ensure Quality and Performance Levels are met for New Product Launches (i.e. launch with no Deviations and match process capability to specifications).

Utilize Supply Chain, Purchasing & Supplier Quality Organizations in line with the Operations Strategy to develop the product fulfillment strategy.

Applying engineering fundamentals to problem solving & make appropriate decisions, justify risk under critical review. Develop conclusions and recommend actions.

Operate without need for technical supervision.

Liaise closely with all levels of production, engineering, NPD, purchasing, and marketing providing clear information where necessary. Use relationships to maintain a network to support Production Strategies.

Present project status and escalations to multiple levels of operations leadership including Managers/Directors/VP.

This position will coordinate the development of systematic tool design and engineering functions required for production of products at Kohler Co. utilizing CAD technology.
 

Skills/Requirements

• B.S. degree from an engineering discipline from an ABET accredited engineering OR engineering technology program required.  
  

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in an industrial, mechanical, manufacturing engineering, project management, or new product development engineering role.  
  
• Knowledge or exposure to manufacturing processes that could include: cast iron, stainless steel drawing and fabrication, acrylics, gel coats, epoxy resins, thermoforming
  
• Must be able to independently manage multiple projects of a complex nature that are in various stages of development.
  
• Experience of communicating information at all levels across various functions: written & verbally, concisely and accurately.
  
• A tenacious, enthusiastic, results driven individual with excellent time management skills.
  
• A confident user of Microsoft office software & SAP
  
• Must be structured and organized, with an ability to work on their own, within a team, and lead a small team when required. Management experience would be beneficial.
  
• Experience creating and managing Microsoft Projects
  
• Experience in ProE/CREO is a benefit, but not required.
  
• Must be skilled in leading conversations across platforms and driving conflict resolution.

CUSTOM.PAY.TRANSPARENCY

Why Choose Kohler?
We empower each associate to #BecomeMoreAtKohler with a competitive total rewards package to support your health and wellbeing, access to career growth and development opportunities, a diverse and inclusive workplace, and a strong culture of innovation. With more than 30,000 bold leaders across the globe, we’re driving meaningful change in our mission to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives.

About Us
It is Kohler’s policy to recruit, hire, and promote qualified applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact kohlerjobs@kohler.com.  Kohler Co. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. 

Client-provided location(s): Sheboygan, WI

Job ID: 63279477

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

Posted: 2025-10-25T15:17:00