NPD Sourcing Engineer

Your Job

Molex Aerospace & Defense Solutions (ADS) is seeking an NPD Sourcing Engineer to support new product development and product lifecycle initiatives through strategic supplier engagement, sourcing leadership, and cross-functional collaboration. In this role, you will serve as a critical member of project teams, ensuring sourcing decisions align with product requirements, business objectives, supply chain strategy, and long-term value creation.

You will work closely with engineering, operations, quality, program management, and procurement teams to identify and develop supply solutions that support cost, quality, delivery, risk mitigation, and innovation objectives throughout the product development lifecycle.

Our Team

The ADS division designs and manufactures highly engineered interconnect solutions supporting aerospace, defense, space, industrial, and mission-critical applications. Our products require robust supply chain partnerships, technical expertise, and disciplined sourcing strategies to ensure performance, reliability, and continuity of supply.

As part of the Global Procurement Organization, the NPD Sourcing Engineer serves as a key contributor to new product development programs and strategic growth initiatives. This role partners with global category management, engineering, and manufacturing teams to identify suppliers capable of supporting advanced technologies, specialized materials, and highly regulated aerospace and defense environments.

What You Will Do

• Lead sourcing activities supporting new product development programs from concept through production launch.
• Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for components, assemblies, materials, tooling, and services in alignment with global category strategies and ADS business objectives.
• Partner with engineering teams during product design phases to optimize supplier selection, manufacturability, supply continuity, and total cost.
• Engage suppliers early in the design process to leverage technical expertise, innovation opportunities, and design-to-cost initiatives.
• Serve as the primary sourcing representative on cross-functional project teams, ensuring sourcing considerations are integrated into project plans and decision-making.
• Lead supplier negotiations related to pricing, capacity, lead times, tooling investments, commercial terms, and supply agreements.
• Develop and execute supplier sourcing strategies that balance quality, cost, delivery, risk, and long-term business value.
• Support supplier qualification, new supplier onboarding, and risk assessment activities.
• Drive Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VAVE), resourcing initiatives, and cost-reduction projects to maintain market competitiveness.
• Collaborate with category managers, supplier quality engineers, and procurement leadership to ensure alignment with global sourcing strategies.
• Monitor project milestones and help ensure successful product launches through proactive supply chain engagement.
• Support supply chain risk mitigation efforts, including single-source reduction, capacity planning, and business continuity strategies.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen sourcing processes and supplier performance.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in direct materials sourcing, procurement, supply chain, engineering, or new product development.
• Experience working with technical suppliers supporting mechanical, electrical, electronic, or engineered components.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and manufacturing requirements.
• Knowledge of sourcing processes, supplier selection methodologies, and cost analysis techniques.
• Experience working within ERP, MRP, or supply chain management systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience supporting aerospace, defense, military, high-reliability electronics, or highly regulated manufacturing industries.
• Experience sourcing complex electromechanical components, cable assemblies, connectors, machined components, printed circuit boards, or custom engineered solutions.
• Knowledge of aerospace quality systems including AS9100 and customer-specific requirements.
• Experience supporting New Product Development (NPD), New Product Introduction (NPI), and stage-gate development processes.
• Familiarity with government, defense, or ITAR-controlled supply chains.
• Experience with supplier development, supplier quality, and manufacturing process assessment.
• Understanding of cost modeling, should-cost analysis, and design-to-cost methodologies.
• Lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, or Six Sigma experience.
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and drive results in a matrixed environment.

At Molex ADS, We Create Value Through

• Strategic Supplier Partnerships
• New Product Development Excellence
• Design-to-Cost Initiatives
• Supply Chain Risk Mitigation
• Cost Competitiveness
• Aerospace & Defense Compliance
• Supplier Innovation
• Principled Entrepreneurship®