Methods Engineer

Who we are:

NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT) is a leading developer of cyber-physical and robotics systems for the aerospace and defence industry. Founded in 2017, NRT today operates across 12 facilities with an employee base of over 500 people. An engineering powerhouse with 70% of its workforce dedicated to R&D in state-of-the-art facilities, NRT is building cutting-edge technologies for persistent UAVs, swarm robotics and AI packages.

NRT is ISO 9001, AS9100D and Great Place to Work certified, authorized for defence manufacturing by DPIIT, and holds 2 patents along with over 10 proprietary technology stacks. Additionally, NRT's products hold several records, including the first operational swarm acquired by any national defence force, highest multirotor altitude at 7000m, highest payload of 25 kgs carried at 6 km AMSL, and the Asian record for the longest solar-powered flight at 27 hours. NRT is also the first Indian company to work under a CRADA with USAFRL since August 2019 and the first to demonstrate swarm flights in Japan.

Position Summary

The Methods Engineer (Manufacturing) is responsible for defining, developing, optimizing, and sustaining manufacturing processes to ensure efficient, safe, and repeatable production operations. The role acts as a bridge between Design, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production teams to establish robust manufacturing methods, improve productivity, reduce operational risks, and support timely delivery of products.

The incumbent will drive process standardization, production planning, industrialization activities, resource optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and manufacturing standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manufacturing Process Development & IndustrializationDevelop, implement, and optimize manufacturing processes for new and existing products.Define manufacturing methods, process sequences, assembly procedures, and production workflows.Participate in Design for Manufacturing (DFM) reviews to ensure manufacturability and production readiness.Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and production transition activities from development to serial manufacturing.Establish process standards to ensure consistency, repeatability, and quality in manufacturing operations.
• Manufacturing Documentation & Process ControlCreate, review, and maintain manufacturing documentation including:Manufacturing Process SheetsWork Instructions (WI)Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Route CardsManufacturing Bills of Materials (MBOM)Process Flow DiagramsVisual Work Aids

Additional responsibilities include:Ensuring complete traceability of production records, drawings, and process documents.Implementing document control practices and managing engineering change implementation within manufacturing.

• Production Planning & Resource OptimizationDevelop and maintain production plans aligned with organizational delivery commitments.Define manpower, machine, tooling, and infrastructure requirements for manufacturing operations.Analyze production bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve throughput.Ensure optimum utilization of manufacturing resources while minimizing waste and downtime.Collaborate with Production, Stores, and Supply Chain teams to ensure material and resource availability.
• Tooling, Fixtures & Manufacturing ReadinessIdentify and define requirements for tools, jigs, fixtures, and special manufacturing equipment.Coordinate the design, procurement, validation, and deployment of production tooling.Ensure calibration, maintenance, and readiness of manufacturing tools and fixtures.Drive improvements in manufacturing ergonomics, workplace efficiency, and assembly effectiveness.
• Risk Management & Quality ImprovementConduct Process Risk Assessments and develop mitigation plans.Develop and maintain:Process Risk MatrixSkill MatrixCapacity AnalysisProcess Capability AssessmentsSupport PFMEA, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPA).Collaborate with Quality teams to reduce defects, rework, and process variability.Ensure adherence to quality standards, process controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Continuous Improvement & Operational ExcellenceLead Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, 5S, and productivity improvement initiatives.Identify opportunities to improve cycle times, reduce waste, improve yield, and enhance operational efficiency.Establish and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) related to productivity, quality, cost, and delivery.Drive data-driven decision-making through analysis of manufacturing performance metrics.Promote a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence across manufacturing teams.
• Manufacturing Compliance & SafetyEnsure compliance with EHS requirements and manufacturing safety standards.Implement and monitor FOD (Foreign Object Debris) prevention practices where applicable.Support audits and compliance assessments related to manufacturing processes.Ensure adherence to organizational quality and process governance standards.

Required QualificationsBachelor's Degree (B.E./B.Tech) in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.5-8 years of relevant experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Methods Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, or Process Engineering roles.Hands-on experience in manufacturing process development, production planning, process optimization, and industrialization activities.

Preferred Industry ExperienceExperience in one or more of the following industries:Aerospace & DefenseAutomotiveElectronics ManufacturingIndustrial Equipment ManufacturingPrecision EngineeringElectro-Mechanical Product Manufacturing

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical SkillsManufacturing Process PlanningIndustrialization & NPI SupportProduction Planning & SchedulingProcess Mapping & Workflow DesignCapacity Planning & Resource OptimizationTooling & Fixture ManagementPFMEA, RCA, CAPAManufacturing Documentation & Change ManagementProcess Validation & Standardization

Continuous ImprovementLean ManufacturingKaizen5SValue Stream Mapping (VSM)Waste Elimination TechniquesProductivity Improvement

Soft SkillsStrong analytical and problem-solving abilitiesCross-functional stakeholder managementEffective communication and documentation skillsAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environmentData-driven decision-making and continuous improvement mindset