Innovation and precision in aerospace
How an Project Leader NPI leads the way to serial production
As a Project Leader within New Product Introduction (NPI), you play a central role in the development and launch of new products. This role is similar to many other project leader roles across various industries. Whether your background is in oil and gas, construction, or other technical fields. Project leader is a discipline that demands structure, planning, and follow-up. Many of the skills you’ve acquired in other industries can be directly transferred to the aerospace sector. Even though the terminology and requirements for documentation and testing may differ.
At GKN Aerospace, there are various types of project leader roles. Spanning areas such as technology development, machinery procurement, and infrastructure. NPI is one of these specialized fields. As a project leader, you are involved from the proposal stage, through the design phase, to the production of the first parts and the transition to mass production. This requires close collaboration with customers, the production team, engineers, and leadership. This is to ensure that the project delivers according to expectations and timelines.
Transferable skills and networking
Although an engineering background is not an absolute requirement, technical insight is a significant advantage in the NPI role. You will often find yourself in meetings with customers, where it is essential to understand and communicate technical details. As the link between the customer, production, and the engineers on the team. It is crucial to have the ability to build strong relationships and ensure effective information flow. This also requires strong networking skills, as you frequently borrow resources from other departments and must manage expectations from leaders with diverse priorities.
The Project Leader role in NPI does not involve direct personnel management, which can be challenging for some. However, you are responsible for ensuring that the project stays on schedule and that costs are kept under control. This also includes shielding the team from external pressure so they can work efficiently and stay focused. As the project nears completion and the product transitions into serial production. It is your job to ensure everything is in place and that any changes are managed smoothly before the project is handed over to ongoing production.
Additive Manufacturing and NPI
Today Project Leader in NPI plays an even more crucial role. Especially with the rise of additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. This technology is transforming how products are designed and produced, and GKN is in the process of integrating it into its manufacturing processes. As an NPI Project Leader, you will eventually be central to the initiation of post-processing of additive parts, which is a new area within GKN Aerospace.
Being an NPI Project Leader offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of traditional manufacturing and cutting-edge technology. The role demands not only strong project management skills but also a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies. Through effective collaboration, structured leadership, and efficient communication, you can help shape the products of the future in an ever-evolving industry.
