NPN Manager in Tualatin, Oregon at Ascentec Engineering LLC

Ascentec Engineering is seeking an NPN Manager to lead hands-on development of precision-machined prototypes, from early concepts through demonstrated manufacturing feasibility. You will guide a small team of manufacturing engineers and development machinists, turn incomplete designs into practical build plans, and resolve difficult machining problems alongside the team.

The role combines strong CNC machining judgment with day-to-day people leadership. You will help engineers and machinists learn from each build, develop practical manufacturing methods, and deliver an evidence-based handoff to the New Product Introduction (NPI) team. Hands-on experience machining semiconductor equipment components is strongly preferred.

This position is onsite (not remote/not hybrid) and not eligible for Visa sponsorship or transfer of Visa sponsorship.

What you will do:

• Lead CNC process development: choose operation sequences, tooling, workholding and setup strategies; review CAM programs; support first-part prove-out; and troubleshoot machining problems on the shop floor.
• Translate design intent into feasibility plans. Work with engineering and quality to identify critical features, tolerance and GD&T requirements, inspection methods, material needs and unresolved specifications before a build begins.
• Plan focused trials with clear learning objectives and acceptance criteria. Record the process used, inspection results, failures, corrective actions and remaining risks so the next build starts with better information.
• Provide DFM and quoting input using operation-level assumptions for material, setup, machining, tooling, inspection and expected yield. Explain technical trade-offs and make-versus-buy options.
• Manage the development workload, assign accountable owners and coordinate machine time, materials, inspection and outside processes. Escalate capacity conflicts and technical blockers early; base commitments on readiness and available resources.
• Coach engineers and machinists through regular individual and team reviews. Set clear expectations, build individual development plans and capture experienced machinists’ knowledge in methods the wider team can use.
• Maintain safe work practices, revision traceability and controls for development hardware. Coordinate with quality and engineering on applicable customer requirements and approval needs.
• Prepare NPN-to-NPI turnover packages covering the current revision, process sequence, tooling and fixtures, CAM status, setup instructions, inspection evidence, cost assumptions and open risks. Confirm receiving-team acceptance before completing the handoff.

Required qualifications:

• Strong hands-on precision CNC machining experience, demonstrated through personally owned setup, programming, tooling, workholding or prove-out work.
• Experience developing prototypes, first articles or low-volume parts when the manufacturing method was not yet established.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, interpret tolerances and GD&T, and work with inspection teams to verify critical requirements.
• Experience leading machinists or engineers, setting priorities, coaching technical performance and taking responsibility for team results.
• Practical problem-solving skills: identify risks, test assumptions, use inspection evidence and explain why a process is ready for the next development stage.
• Ability to coordinate across engineering, manufacturing, quality and planning, document decisions clearly, and communicate technical trade-offs to internal partners and customer engineers when assigned.
• The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship. The employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Preferred qualifications:

• Hands-on machining or process development for semiconductor equipment components, including translating customer requirements into machining, inspection and qualification evidence.
• Advanced CNC programming, complex workholding, challenging geometries or tight-tolerance first-part prove-out.
• Experience building a small development team and transferring prototype methods into NPI and repeatable manufacturing.
• Relevant technical education, apprenticeship or equivalent applied manufacturing training.

Compensation/Benefits:

• $110,000 to $140,000 per year DOE
• Medical / Dental / Vision
• 401k with company match up to 4%
• Bonus Program
• Short-term and Long-term Disability
• Tuition Assistance or Reimbursement
• Life Insurance
• Paid time off / paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Programs

Applicant must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check prior to employment.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Ascentec Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Ascentec Engineering is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.