Manufacturing (DFM) SME

Company Overview We are a world-class team of professionals who deliver next generation technology and products in robotic and autonomous platforms, ground, soldier, and maritime systems in 50+ locations world-wide. Much of our work contributes to innovative research in the fields of sensor science, signal processing, data fusion, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and augmented reality (AR). QinetiQ US’s dedicated experts in defense, aerospace, security, and related fields all work together to explore new ways of protecting the American Warfighter, Security Forces, and Allies. Being a part of QinetiQ US means being central to the safety and security of the world around us. Partnering with our customers, we help save lives; reduce risks to society; and maintain the global infrastructure on which we all depend. Why Join QinetiQ US? If you have the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges, then you will experience a unique working environment where innovative teams blend different perspectives, disciplines, and technologies to discover new ways of solving complex problems.  In our diverse and inclusive environment, you can be authentic, feel valued, be respected, and realize your full potential. QinetiQ US will support you with workplace flexibility, a commitment to the health and well-being of you and your family and provide opportunities to work with a purpose. We are committed to supporting your success in both your professional and personal lives. Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Design for Manufacturing (DFM) SME to lead the transition of products from development and prototyping into scalable production for a Department of Defense customer. This role serves as the bridge between product design, engineering, supply chain, quality, and manufacturing partners to ensure products are optimized for cost, quality, reliability, and manufacturability.  The DFM Director will own the process of preparing products for production, establishing manufacturing processes, selecting and managing suppliers, overseeing pilot builds, and driving successful production launch in compliance with various defense acquisition and compliance standards. The ideal candidate combines strong program management and engineering expertise with hands-on manufacturing experience and a proven track record of bringing products from concept to production in support of federal government contracts.This role is currently a Temporary position, with the possibility of going perm. Responsibilities Product Industrialization & Manufacturing Readiness Lead the transition of products from prototype and development phases into production. Evaluate product designs and identify opportunities to improve manufacturability, assembly efficiency, reliability, and cost. Develop and implement Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) strategies. Establish manufacturing requirements, production workflows, tooling needs, and process controls. Collaborate closely with engineering teams to resolve design issues impacting production. Supplier & Contract Manufacturer Management Work with Supply Chain Management to identify, evaluate, and onboard manufacturing partners and suppliers. Lead or assist in the management of RFQ processes, supplier selection, and manufacturing cost analysis. Negotiate manufacturing capabilities, production schedules, and quality requirements. Build strong relationships with contract manufacturers, tooling vendors, and component suppliers. Develop and drive supplier performance, quality metrics, and delivery schedules. New Product Introduction (NPI) Develop and execute NPI plans, timelines, and production readiness milestones. Assist Program and Engineering Management in leading prototype builds, engineering validation builds, pilot production runs, and production ramp-up activities. Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful product launch. Drive issue resolution during pilot and early production phases. Quality & Process Development Assist the Quality Organization in establishing manufacturing quality standards and inspection procedures. Ensure the development of production documentation including work instructions, assembly procedures, test protocols, and quality plans. Implement corrective and preventive actions to address production issues. Support root cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives. Cost & Production Optimization Develop manufacturing cost models and identify cost reduction opportunities. Optimize production processes to improve yield, throughput, and efficiency. Drive value engineering initiatives without compromising product performance or quality. Support forecasting, capacity planning, and production scaling efforts. Project Leadership Serve as the primary manufacturing lead within cross-functional product teams. Manage manufacturing readiness schedules and production launch deliverables. Provide regular updates on production readiness, risks, and mitigation plans. Ensure alignment between engineering, operations, quality, and supply chain teams Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) On-time production launch Manufacturing cost targets achieved Production yield and quality metrics Supplier readiness and performance Successful completion of pilot builds Time-to-production milestones Product reliability and field performance Continuous improvement and cost reduction achievements Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field. 10+ years of experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, NPI, or production launch roles. Demonstrated success bringing products from prototype through commercial production. Strong understanding of DFM, DFA, production processes, and quality systems. Experience working wit