Senior NPI Engineer

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Work Arrangement: 100% On-site

Shape the Future of Aerospace Innovation

At DART Aerospace , we design, manufacture, and certify mission-critical aerospace equipment used by helicopter operators around the world. Our products support demanding missions including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, military, utility, and commercial operations.

With engineering and manufacturing operations across Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, we continue to invest in the development and industrialization of innovative aerospace products.

We are looking for an experienced Senior New Product Introduction (NPI) Engineer to lead the transition of new aerospace products from concept and design through validation, certification, and production launch .

This is a hands-on engineering role for someone who understands both how to design a strong product and how to make it successfully manufacturable .

What You'll Do

Lead New Product Introduction

• Lead engineering activities for new products from concept through production release.
• Drive the transition from engineering development into manufacturing.
• Apply Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles throughout product development.
• Identify and resolve manufacturability, cost, quality, and production-readiness issues before launch.
• Support prototype builds, pilot production, First Article Inspection (FAI), and production ramp-up.

Design & Develop Aerospace Products

• Design and develop mechanical and structural components using SolidWorks .
• Create and review 3D models, assemblies, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
• Apply GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis to ensure robust and manufacturable designs.
• Perform engineering calculations and structural assessments.
• Use FEA and other engineering analysis tools to support design decisions.
• Select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes based on performance, cost, quality, and manufacturability.

Validate & Certify

• Develop and support engineering verification, validation, and qualification plans.
• Coordinate prototype, laboratory, and field testing activities.
• Analyze test results and prepare technical reports.
• Support aerospace certification activities and associated engineering documentation.
• Contribute to certification programs involving TCCA, FAA, EASA, and STC development , as applicable.

Partner With Manufacturing

• Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Procurement, and Program Management.
• Provide hands-on engineering support during prototype and production builds.
• Resolve technical and manufacturing issues throughout the product lifecycle.
• Support non-conformances, root cause investigations, corrective actions, and engineering changes.
• Ensure designs are practical, repeatable, cost-effective, and ready for production.

Provide Technical Leadership

• Lead design reviews and contribute to key technical decisions.
• Mentor and support junior engineers and designers.
• Promote engineering best practices, standardization, and continuous improvement.
• Balance technical performance, certification requirements, manufacturing realities, cost, and schedule.

What We're Looking For

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering , or a related discipline.

Experience

• Approximately 8–10+ years of relevant engineering experience in product development, mechanical design, NPI, industrialization, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience taking a product from design or development through prototype, validation, and manufacturing release .
• Experience supporting products in a manufacturing environment.
• Aerospace experience is strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD tools.
• Strong understanding of:
• Mechanical and structural design
• DFM / DFA
• GD&T
• Tolerance stack-up
• Aerospace or high-performance materials
• Manufacturing processes
• Prototype and production development
• Experience supporting FAI, pilot builds, and production readiness .
• Working knowledge of FEA and structural analysis.
• Experience with engineering change and root cause processes.

Strong Assets

• Experience with FAA, TCCA, or EASA certification requirements .
• Previous experience with helicopter equipment, aircraft structures, aerospace components, or other certified aerospace products.

What Will Make You Successful

You are an engineer who can move comfortably between CAD, technical analysis, the prototype floor, and production .

You understand that successful product development does not stop when the design is complete. You think about how the product will be manufactured, assembled, inspected, tested, certified, and supported.

You bring:

• Strong technical judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills.
• Ability to work across multidisciplinary teams.
• Clear communication and technical documentation skills.
• Ownership and accountability for engineering deliverables.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where priorities can evolve quickly.

Why Join DART Aerospace?

• Take ownership of aerospace products from concept through production launch .
• Work on mission-critical helicopter equipment used around the world.
• Combine product development, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and certification.
• Work directly with engineering and manufacturing teams rather than being isolated from production.
• Influence design, manufacturability, quality, cost, and product performance.
• Collaborate with international engineering and manufacturing operations.
• Mentor engineers and contribute to the evolution of DART's engineering practices.
• Receive competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

About DART Aerospace

DART Aerospace is a global provider of design, manufacturing, certification, and support solutions for the helicopter and aerospace industry .

With more than 1,500 Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) and customers in more than 120 countries , DART develops mission equipment and aerospace solutions supporting civil, military, aerial firefighting, search and rescue, utility, and other specialized operations.

If you have experience transforming engineering concepts into manufacturable, validated, and certified aerospace products , we want to hear from you.