About Vecmocon
Vecmocon is an IIT Delhi-incubated deep-tech EV startup focused on making the electric vehicle ecosystem smarter, connected, and more reliable through state-of-the-art technology solutions and a data-centric approach.
We are a young and fast-growing organization with a futuristic vision, ambitious goals, capable and empathetic leadership, and a collaborative work culture.
1. Role Purpose
The NPI Quality Lead / Sr. NPI Quality Engineer will be responsible for ensuring product quality, process readiness, and manufacturing quality readiness throughout the New Product Introduction lifecycle, from product development and prototype builds through pilot production and Start of Production (SOP).
The role will act as the key quality interface between Technology, Hardware, Software, Mechanical, Production, NPI, Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA), Sourcing, Engineering, and EMS partners.
The position will ensure that product, process, supplier, testing, and manufacturing-related quality gaps are systematically identified, tracked, and closed before SOP.
The role will also support the SQA team in PPAP readiness, supplier audits, process validation, and closure of supplier-related quality observations.
2. Key Responsibilities
A. NPI Quality Planning & Coordination
- Act as the Quality SPOC for assigned New Product Introduction projects.
- Coordinate with Technology, Hardware, Software, Mechanical, Production, NPI, SQA, Sourcing, Engineering, and EMS partners throughout the product development lifecycle.
- Participate in NPI reviews across Prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, Pilot Production, and SOP, or equivalent development stages.
- Establish, implement, and track NPI Quality Gates.
- Ensure all required quality deliverables are completed before progressing to the next NPI stage.
- Review product and process risks and ensure appropriate preventive controls are defined before production release.
- Ensure quality concerns identified during development and pilot builds are properly documented, tracked, assigned, and closed with objective evidence.
B. Line Readiness & Process Standardization
- Drive production line readiness before pilot builds and SOP.
- Verify the availability, implementation, and effectiveness of:
- Process Flow
- Work Instructions
- Control Plan
- PFMEA
- Inspection Standards
- Testing and Validation Requirements
- Process Parameters
- Quality Checkpoints
- Traceability Requirements
- Error-Proofing / Poka-Yoke
- Special Process Controls, wherever applicable
- Ensure manufacturing and process controls are standardized across EMS locations.
- Conduct and support NPI Line Readiness Audits / Assessments and track observations to closure.
- Verify readiness of inspection equipment, test equipment, fixtures, gauges, and test stations.
- Ensure FCT, functional checks, and End-of-Line quality controls are defined, validated, and implemented before SOP.
- Identify potential production and quality risks before mass production and drive preventive actions.
C. NPI Observation & Issue Closure
- Maintain an NPI Observation / Action Tracker covering product, process, documentation, testing, and manufacturing readiness gaps.
- Coordinate with responsible stakeholders for timely closure of open observations.
- Drive Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective actions for issues identified during prototype, pilot, and pre-SOP builds.
- Verify the effectiveness of corrective actions through subsequent builds, audits, validation results, or documented evidence.
- Escalate critical or overdue observations that may impact SOP readiness.
- Ensure no critical quality or process observation remains open without an approved disposition before SOP.
D. EMS Partner Quality Management
- Coordinate with EMS partners during NPI builds and ensure compliance with defined quality requirements.
- Conduct and support EMS NPI Readiness Reviews and Process Audits.
- Ensure manufacturing processes are aligned with approved product and process documentation.
- Monitor pilot-build quality performance, including:
- First Pass Yield (FPY)
- Rejection
- Rework
- Process Deviations
- Defect Trends
- Drive standardization of quality controls across different EMS manufacturing locations.
- Support EMS teams in identifying process risks and implementing effective preventive controls.
- Ensure all NPI-related deviations, concessions, and engineering/process changes are formally documented, reviewed, and approved.
E. PPAP & Supplier Quality Support
- Support the SQA team in PPAP planning, review, submission, and closure.
- Review supplier PPAP documentation for completeness and alignment with project and quality requirements.
- Support supplier and process audits during new product development.
- Participate in:
- Supplier Process Audits
- Run-at-Rate / Capacity Assessments
- Process Validation
- First-Off / Trial Validation
- Dimensional Validation
- Functional Validation
- Special Characteristic Reviews
- Support closure of supplier-related PPAP and audit observations.
- Ensure supplier process readiness before component approval and release for SOP.
- Coordinate with SQA and suppliers for timely submission and closure of required quality documentation.
3. Quality Documentation & Systems
Ensure appropriate NPI quality documentation is prepared, reviewed, approved, implemented, and controlled, including:
- Quality Gate Checklist
- NPI Quality Plan
- PFMEA
- Control Plan
- Process Flow
- Inspection Standards
- Work Instructions
- Process Audit Checklists
- Line Readiness Checklist
- PPAP Documentation
- Validation / Test Reports
- Measurement System Analysis (MSA), where applicable
- Traceability Requirements
- Change / Deviation Records
- NPI Observation and Action Trackers
Ensure documentation and processes are aligned with IATF 16949, applicable customer-specific requirements, and internal Quality Management System (QMS) procedures.
4. Required Experience & Technical Competencies
- 5–8 years of experience in NPI Quality, Manufacturing Quality, Supplier Quality, Automotive Electronics Quality, or related functions.
- Experience in Automotive, EV, BMS, EV Chargers, Automotive Electronics, PCB/PCBA, or Electronic Products will be preferred.
- Strong understanding of:
- APQP
- PPAP
- PFMEA
- Control Plan
- Process Flow
- MSA
- SPC
- 8D
- RCA / CAPA
- Process Audits
- Quality Gates
- NPI / Pilot Builds
- Working knowledge of IATF 16949 and Automotive Core Quality Tools.
- Experience working with EMS / Contract Manufacturing partners is highly desirable.
- Ability to understand electrical and electronic manufacturing processes and functional testing requirements.
- Good understanding of production line controls, inspection methodology, process capability, and manufacturing quality systems.
- Experience in cross-functional issue resolution, action tracking, and closure.
5. Behavioral & Functional Competencies
- Strong cross-functional coordination and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to drive actions and closure without direct reporting authority.
- Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills.
- Data-driven approach to quality decision-making.
- Good communication and presentation skills.
- Strong follow-up and closure orientation.
- Ability to proactively identify product, supplier, and manufacturing quality risks.
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced NPI and startup environment.
- Ability to constructively challenge gaps and ensure adherence to defined quality standards.
6. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
The role will be measured on:
- NPI Quality Gate Closure %
- Line Readiness Before Pilot / SOP
- NPI Observation Closure Within Target Timelines
- Critical Observations Open at SOP
- Pilot Build FPY / Rejection Rate
- NPI-Related Rework / Defect Rate
- Process Standardization Compliance
- EMS NPI Audit Score and Observation Closure
- PPAP Submission and Closure Timeliness
- Recurring Issue Rate from NPI to SOP / Post-SOP
- SOP Readiness Compliance
- Effectiveness of Corrective Actions
7. Educational Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree / Diploma in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Automobile, or a related Engineering discipline.
- Additional certification or qualification in Quality Management, IATF 16949, APQP/PPAP, Six Sigma, or related quality systems will be an advantage.