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Quality NPI Engineer

Austin, Texas
Full Time On-site

Summary

Job Description

Role Overview

The Quality New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer 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 (e.g., PFMEA, DFMEA) are effectively translated into control plans and inspection strategies to support scalable, repeatable manufacturing.

The Quality NPI 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.

Key Responsibilities

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, 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 processes

  • Supplier capability

  • Drive risk mitigation actions and track closure

  • Ensure PFMEA outputs are actionable and aligned with real production conditions

Process Validation

  • Define and execute Process Validation activities where applicable

  • Support manufacturing readiness prior to production release

  • Verify that all critical characteristics are adequately controlled

Nonconformance & Continuous Improvement

  • Support MRB activities during NPI builds and early production

  • Drive root cause analysis using structured methods

  • Feed lessons learned back into FMEA and Control Plans

Documentation & QMS Integration

  • Help develop and maintain:

  • Control Plans

  • Inspection Plans

  • Work instructions 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 Engineering (Mechanical, Manufacturing, Electrical, Industrial, or related)

  • 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

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, robotics, or complex electromechanical systems

  • 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 supplies, packages)

Benefits:

Medical Insurance: Comprehensive health insurance plans covering a range of services

Saronic pays 100% of the premium for employees and 80% for dependents

Dental and Vision Insurance: Coverage for routine dental check-ups, orthodontics, and vision care

Saronic pays 100% of the premium under the basic plan for employees and 80% for dependents

Time Off: Generous PTO and Holidays

Parental Leave: Paid maternity and paternity leave to support new parents

Competitive Salary: Industry-standard salaries with opportunities for performance-based bonuses

Retirement Plan: 401(k) plan with company match

Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success

Life and Disability Insurance: Basic life insurance and short- and long-term disability coverage

Pet Insurance: Discounted pet insurance options including 24/7 Telehealth helpline

Additional Perks: Free lunch benefit and unlimited free drinks and snacks in the office

Saronic CCPA Notice for Candidates and California Employees

This role requires access to export-controlled information or items that require “U.S. Person” status. As defined by U.S. law, individuals who are any one of the following are considered to be a “U.S. Person”: (1) U.S. citizens, (2) legal permanent residents (a.k.a. green card holders), and (3) certain protected classes of asylees and refugees, as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

Saronic does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.

About Saronic

Saronic

Saronic is one of the fastest-growing defense technology companies focused on autonomous maritime systems for the U.S. military. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Austin, Texas, the company builds intelligent Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) designed to improve maritime surveillance, operational reach, and force protection in contested environments. Saronic is helping modernize naval operations through AI-powered unmanned vessels capable of supporting missions ranging from reconnaissance and logistics to distributed maritime operations.

For job seekers, Saronic offers opportunities to work on some of the most advanced technologies in maritime defense, including autonomy, robotics, AI, naval architecture, software engineering, manufacturing, and mission operations. The company hires across mechanical engineering, embedded systems, autonomy software, marine design, production, and field testing—making it especially attractive to engineers, veterans, maritime professionals, and builders who want hands-on ownership of mission-critical systems.

Unlike traditional shipbuilders or legacy defense contractors, Saronic operates with a startup-style engineering culture centered around speed, rapid prototyping, and real-world deployment. Employees work closely across hardware, software, and field operations to design, test, and scale autonomous vessels faster than traditional defense timelines, giving team members direct exposure to high-impact products supporting national security missions.

As the U.S. military increases investment in autonomous naval systems and maritime modernization, Saronic continues to grow rapidly through major funding rounds, Navy contracts, and manufacturing expansion. For professionals seeking a high-growth defense company at the intersection of AI, robotics, and naval technology, Saronic is quickly emerging as one of the most exciting employers in the defense innovation ecosystem.

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