Principle NPI Engineer

As the largest global shared micromobility business, Lime is on a mission to build a future where transportation is shared, affordable and carbon-free. A Time Magazine 100 Most Influential Company, Lime has powered more than one billion rides in close to 30 countries across five continents, spurring a new generation of clean alternatives to car ownership. Learn more at li.me.

Lime is seeking a Principle NPI Engineer in Shenzhen or Kunshan, China. Reporting to the Quality Director, you will drive NPI for ME/structural components across China and SEA. You are responsible for industrialization—from design review and trial runs to PPAP sign-off and mass production ramp-up.

This is an onsite position that requires onsite presence at our Shenzhen office to maintain effective collaboration across teams.

What You’ll Do:

• Early-Stage technical design path: Engage early at the product conception and mechanical design phases to conduct rigorous technical alignments with the design team, co-evaluate and define the most rational technical path.

• Balance Design & Manufacturing: Lead and coordinate joint DFM reviews with designers and suppliers, provide directional guidance to the designer based on metallurgy, stress distribution, and supply chain capabilities. Review engineering drawings for optimized design with appropriate tolerances.

• Serve as a primary contributor within PDP: Fulfill NPI responsibilities in process/quality planning and validation. Identify and mitigate risks via QMS/Critical Process Audits. Lead EVT/DVT builds, conduct professional and rapid failure analysis to identify root cause and drive for timely solutions of process/design. Lead PPAP/PSW sign-off.

• Manage critical process: Through establishing Critical Process Standards, auditing and improvement, manage ME related critical processes of die casting, welding, heat treatment etc.

• Production Ramp-up: Scale mass production to achieve capacity and efficiency targets.

• Stakeholder Influence: Coordinate group efforts, offer expert insights on company-wide projects, and communicate complex concepts to diverse stakeholders as an internal authority.

About You:

• BS or higher in Engineering or Science with a strong Mechanical Engineering focus.

• 10+ years in NPI engineering for ME products; 5+ years in E-bike, automotive, or other aluminum fabrication industries.

• Deep expert in aluminum product industrialization, including die/LPD/squeeze-castings, welding, and heat treatment.

• Highly skilled in DFX (tech design path evaluation/FEA) and bridging design with volume manufacturing.

• Deep expert in mechanical failure analysis throughout the product lifecycle, leveraging proficiency in reliability testing, fractography, metallography, root cause analysis (5Why), DOE, and statistical methods to drive resolution.

• Familiar with GD&T and inspection gauge design.

• Proven lead for highly complex programs, capable of navigating competing priorities and driving critical decisions.

• Fluent oral English, strong presentation and influencing skills working with suppliers and global XFN teams. Ability and willingness to travel frequently in/outside China.

Preferred Experience:

• 6Sigma training experience or certification.

• Knowledge of reliability, e.g. reliability testing and Weibull analysis

• Plastic injection molding/CMF/high-strength fastener

#LI-Onsite

If you want to make an impact, Lime is the place for you. Not sure if you meet all the qualifications? If this role excites you we encourage you to apply. Explore all opportunities on our career page.

Lime is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe different perspectives help us grow and achieve more. That’s why we’re dedicated to building and developing a team that reflects a wider range of backgrounds, abilities, identities, and experiences. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please email recruiting-operations@li.me for assistance.