Job Description
New Product Introduction Lead
Job Location:  San Giovanni Valdarno
Division:  Operations
Work Model:  On Site
Full-Time/Part-Time:  Full Time
Contract Type:  Permanent
Job Req ID:  1925
As NPI Lead - Prototyping & New Product Introduction, you will lead the transition of innovative EV charging and power electronics products from development into industrial reality. By combining hands-on build leadership, technical expertise and people management, you will ensure prototypes, validation units and pre-series builds are successfully delivered while continuously improving product manufacturability, assembly processes and production readiness at scale.
 

Your Responsibilities

 

  • Lead the planning and execution of prototype, validation and pre-series builds, translating development milestones into clear build plans that align materials, tooling, engineering inputs, resources and capacity requirements.

  • Drive manufacturability and product improvement, leveraging feedback from technicians, engineers and production teams to identify opportunities for Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA) and Design for Test (DFT) enhancements, and ensuring improvements are implemented and validated in subsequent builds.

  • Own the transfer of knowledge from development to manufacturing, consolidating build learnings, process parameters, tooling requirements, work instructions, risks and open actions into structured handovers for internal production sites and external manufacturing partners.

  • Develop and strengthen rapid prototyping capabilities, advancing mechanical fabrication, workshop operations, additive manufacturing and fast-turnaround PCBA sampling capabilities to reduce development cycle times and improve build quality.

  • Establish scalable manufacturing practices from the earliest stages, implementing 5S, standard work, visual management, traceability and configuration control to create disciplined, repeatable and production-ready processes.

  • Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of technicians and engineers, creating a culture of accountability, technical excellence, continuous learning and operational discipline while supporting capability growth and performance development.

  • Partner closely with R&D, Industrialization, Quality, Production and Supply Chain teams, aligning priorities, resolving dependencies, managing trade-offs and ensuring readiness for successful product launches.

  • Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence, using structured problem-solving, root-cause analysis and data-driven decision-making to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, scalability and launch performance.

 

Your Background

 

  • Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of technical education and practical experience.

  • Proven experience leading prototype, pilot, pre-series or New Product Introduction (NPI) activities for complex electromechanical, industrial, electronics or power systems products.

  • Demonstrated leadership experience managing skilled technicians, engineers and cross-functional project teams, with the ability to motivate teams, set clear expectations and drive execution in fast-paced environments.

  • Strong practical knowledge of engineering and manufacturing fundamentals, including technical drawings, tolerances, BOMs, assembly processes, tooling, testing methodologies and engineering change management.

  • Solid understanding of DFM, DFA, DFT, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, production readiness and quality improvement methodologies, with the ability to translate prototype learnings into scalable production solutions.

  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities, combining hands-on technical expertise with a structured approach to root-cause analysis, process optimization and operational execution.

  • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills in both Italian and English, with the ability to influence across functions and maintain a strong, visible presence in workshops, laboratories and production environments.

 

Nice to Have

 

  • Experience with additive manufacturing, rapid prototyping technologies and advanced workshop processes.

  • Exposure to electronics manufacturing, PCBA assembly, validation testing or power electronics products.

  • Experience supporting manufacturing transfers, industrialization programs or global production ramp-ups.

  • Background within the automotive, e-mobility, industrial automation, electronics or high-tech manufacturing sectors.

  • Passion for building high-performing technical teams and creating scalable processes that accelerate innovation while enabling industrial growth.

 

What’s in it for you? 

 

Work with the best specialists in their field, in a diverse environment with unparalleled global reach. Feel inspired by our fast growth. You will have the accountability to own your part in enabling a future of sustainable and efficient mobility. You can also count on a competitive compensation package in line with your capabilities and experience. Diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities are at the core of what we do. We celebrate different experiences and perspectives, and we aim to empower everyone in the creation of sustainable solutions for people all over the world. Our individual differences make us successful.  

 

Compensation Package 

 

The employment framework is based on the National Collective Labour Agreement (CCNL) for the Metalworking Industry, with an indicative level of B3/A1 and a minimum gross annual salary starting from € 39.000,00. The specific level and compensation package will be defined based on the outcome of the selection process (including experience, skills set, and role fit), in accordance with objective, transparent, and gender-neutral criteria, in line with pay equity and equal opportunity principles. The total compensation package will also include a variable bonus linked to individual and company targets.   

 

 

About ABB E-Mobility  

 

ABB E-mobility is a world leader in EV charging technology and a partner of choice for the world’s biggest electric vehicle OEMs and nationwide EV charging network operators. With a strong R&D pipeline, our robust product portfolio of innovative holistic solutions – from grid to charge point and domestic installations to large fleet depots – means we are actively enabling the future of E-Mobility, not just predicting it. 

Information at a Glance

Operations

Welcome to Operations, where strategic supply chain management and operational excellence meet. Our teams focus on supply chain strategy, vendor partnerships, and KPI tracking to ensure cost-effective operations. We manage transitions to mass production and fulfill European and North American demand from our factories in San Giovanni Valdarno, Italy and Phoenix, USA whilst optimizing the global value chain. Within Operations advanced capabilities drive quality standards and continuous improvement, while HSE ensures safety and environmental compliance. Warranty management and PMO lead operational projects aligned with strategic goals.