--- title: 'NPI Coordinator at Fender' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/npi-coordinator-fender-corona-8ysgmq2f7qzz' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-04' --- # NPI Coordinator at Fender - **Company:** Fender - **Location:** Corona, CA - **Posted:** 2026-11-03 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-04 - **Apply:** https://boards.greenhouse.io/fender/jobs/8332349?gh_jid=8332349 ## Job description Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is a world-famous brand with offices across the globe. Fender was born in Southern California and has built a worldwide influence beyond the studio and the stage. A Fender is more than an instrument; it’s a cultural symbol that resonates globally. We are searching for an NPI Coordinator to join our team in Corona, CA. This person will coordinate and run new model prototypes. Additionally, this person will ensure all documentation & processes are current and available for NPI production in specified departments. Essential Functions: - End-to end build coordination: - Coordinate MPR, pilot, and pre-production builds across all production departments Including mill, Intersand, Paint, B&P, Sub-assy, final and packaging. - Run and validate new body, neck, electronics, through each department and confirm readiness to spec and print before handoff. - Maintain a single build tracker showing where every NPI unit is, what it is waiting on, and who owns the next step. - Lead daily check-ins with department leads and escalate blockers to the NPI Project leaders and Manager - Cross-functional handoff: - Act as the working link between R&D/NPI and Factory carrying design intent, drawings, and specs into the plant. - Track deliverables owned by NPI, R&D, PD, Engineering, QA, and Ops, and flag anything late or missing before phase gate reviews. - Materials, R&D DWG and BOM readiness: - Confirm BOM accuracy and material availability for each build, working with Planning to open orders for builds on the floor and coordanite with Purchasing to ensure parts are available for department leads to work on new products. - Confirm R&D DWG availability and share the information with department leads on the specifications - Process validation: - Coordinate first-article parts from each department and work with NPI, Engineering and R&D to be able to understand on the pass or fail criteria - Understand the process capability during the MPR and Pilot run, collect and summarize the data and present it to NPI, Engineering for approval and improvements - Provide DFM recommendations whenever appropriate - Documentation and training: - Help create and update Work instructions and in-process spec sheets in every department as necessary - Train operators on new models using a “show and do” approach, and maintain training records - Continous improvements: - Capture lessons learned after each launch and recommend improvements to the NPI process, templates and gate criteria - Splits time between the production floor (about 80%) and meetings (about 20%). - Run & validate new body, neck, and sub-assembly samples thru processes - Coordinate sample completion through the department processes utilizing relevant documentation - Additional duties as assigned Qualifications: - High school diploma or equivalent - Minimum of 1 year guitar or related industry manufacturing experience - Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles desired - Ability to read drawings, spec sheets, work instructions, and BOMs. - Working knowledge of First Article Inspection and basic measuring tools. - Excellent communication skills (English & Spanish preferred), ability to speak in group settings - Proficient in Microsoft Office applications - SAP experience desired - Excellent time management skills, ability to prioritize assignments to meet deadlines About Fender Musical Instruments: Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch®, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel® and Groove Tubes®, among others. For more information, visit [www.fender.com](http://www.fender.com/). FMIC offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical, dental, 401(k), paid time off, and an equipment purchase program to help you get the band back together. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, gender, age, color, religion, disability, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, or any other protected factor. Fender is required by law in certain jurisdictions to include a pay scale in the job posting for this position.  “Pay scale” means the salary or hourly wage range that Fender reasonably expects to pay for this position; it is neither a promise nor a guarantee of the compensation that the successful candidate will receive.  The pay scale for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that Fender considers in making compensation decisions, including, without limitation: skill set, experience, and training, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.  If this is a remote position, the pay scale disclosed herein may be adjusted further based upon the applicable geographic differential associated with the location from which the successful candidate will work.  Please note that it is not typical for a Fender employee to be at or near the top of the pay scale for their role – especially as a new hire – and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.  Subject to the foregoing, the current pay scale for this position is $20 to $26.50 per hour. #LI-Onsite ## About Fender ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Fender designs and manufactures iconic electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and audio gear, while also developing a digital ecosystem for music education and tone shaping. - **Entity Type**: Private (privately held, not publicly traded) - **Headquarters**: Hollywood, California, USA (with additional offices in Scottsdale, Arizona, and international satellites) - **Founded**: 1946 - **Founders**: Leo Fender (original collaboration with Doc Kaufmann in 1943 led to K&F Manufacturing Corp.) ## Core Business - **Primary industries**: Musical instrument manufacturing, pro audio, music education, digital music tools. - **Target customers**: B2C (musicians of all skill levels from beginners to professionals) and B2B (dealers and distributors). - **Mission / purpose**: “Inspire every player at every stage” [fender.com](https://fender.com/pages/about). ## Products & Services - **Fender® Guitars & Basses**: Iconic models including Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, Jazz Bass, Jaguar, Jazzmaster, and Acoustasonic Telecaster. - **Fender® Amplifiers**: Classic tube amps (e.g., Twin Reverb, Deluxe Reverb) and modern Tone Master series using advanced modeling. - **Squier®**: Affordable entry-level guitars and basses. - **Other Brands**: Gretsch®, Jackson®, Charvel®, EVH®. - **Fender Digital** (launched 2015): - **Fender Play®**: Subscription-based app for learning guitar, bass, ukulele (song-based, step-by-step). - **Fender Tune™**: Tuner app for iOS/Android. - **Fender Tone™**: Amp and effects modeling app. - **Fender Pedals**: A line of guitar effect pedals introduced in 2018. - **Accessories & Pro Audio**: Cases, straps, strings, and professional audio equipment. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly disclosed (privately held). The company is widely regarded as the world’s largest guitar manufacturer. - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue – not publicly available; estimated headcount ~1,500 employees [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/fender). - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Owned by a private investor group that acquired the company from CBS in 1985. No current venture capital rounds are public. - **Growth Signals**: - Expansion into digital learning (Fender Play) and app ecosystem. - Launch of innovative products like the American Acoustasonic Telecaster and Tone Master amps. - Continued global presence with offices in England, France, Australia, Germany, Mexico, Sweden, and Japan. ## Competitive Advantages - **Unmatched brand heritage**: Over 75 years of history, legendary products that defined modern music (Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass). - **Vertical integration**: Own manufacturing facilities in Corona, California (flagship, US) and Ensenada, Mexico; Custom Shop for high-end bespoke instruments. - **Artist relationships**: Long-standing endorsements from icons like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, and Stevie Ray Vaughan. - **Digital innovation**: First-mover in connected guitar learning with Fender Play; combines hardware expertise with modern software. - **Portfolio breadth**: Multiple sub-brands (Squier, Gretsch, Jackson, Charvel, EVH) covering every price point and genre. ## Strategic Focus - **Digital ecosystem**: Continuing to invest in Fender Digital to attract new players and keep them engaged; app-based learning and tone customization. - **Inclusive outreach**: Making guitar, bass, and ukulele more accessible to beginners through Fender Play and affordable Squier models. - **Product innovation**: Evolving legacy designs with modern features (e.g., Acoustasonic series, Tone Master modeling amps). - **Global expansion**: Strengthening international sales and marketing, especially in Asia and emerging markets (see Sales Director – Greater China job posting). ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Emphasizes passion, innovation, diversity, integrity, teamwork, and open communication [fender.com/careers](https://fender.com/pages/careers). Described as “not just a sound… a way of life.” - **Work model**: Mix of in-office and remote roles (e.g., some positions are fully remote, others require office presence) [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/fender). - **Benefits**: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, short/long-term disability, business travel insurance, legal assistance, and product discounts. - **Engineering culture**: Digital teams work from Hollywood headquarters, with opportunities to shape the intersection of music and technology. - **Diversity & inclusion**: FMIC is an equal opportunity employer and actively encourages a sense of belonging. ## Sources 1. [fender.com](https://fender.com/pages/about) – About Fender (history, products, mission) 2. [fender.com](https://fender.com/pages/careers) – Careers page (culture, benefits, values) 3. [linkedin.com](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/fender-musical-instruments) – LinkedIn company page (revenue note, headcount) 4. [builtin.com](https://builtin.com/company/fender) – Built In profile (headcount 1,500, remote/office mix, job listings) ## Other roles at Fender - [eCommerce European Merchandiser](https://feeny.ai/job/ecommerce-european-merchandiser-fender-united-kingdom-ce0phvejaeca) — United Kingdom - [Mill Team Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/mill-team-lead-fender-corona-jf2g641g9cdt) — Corona, CA - [Production Expeditor, Specialty](https://feeny.ai/job/production-expeditor-specialty-fender-corona-1jvt87yb028y) — Corona, CA - [Business Development Manager, Southeast](https://feeny.ai/job/business-development-manager-southeast-fender-united-states-mrn8jqr0xyj1) — United States - [Sr. Planner](https://feeny.ai/job/sr-planner-fender-corona-vatv2bcey1th) — Corona, CA - [Sander, Intersand](https://feeny.ai/job/sander-intersand-fender-corona-1yyb73fpzcy2) — Corona, CA - [Paint Handle Cleaning Team Lead](https://feeny.ai/job/paint-handle-cleaning-team-lead-fender-corona-j6jzcw1aj9bg) — Corona, CA - [Senior Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-software-engineer-fender-hamburg-ghsqdd3w8ft1) — Hamburg, Germany - [Colaborador de Producción (Futuras oportunidades)](https://feeny.ai/job/colaborador-de-produccion-futuras-oportunidades-fender-ensenada-4smam3jg4d7n) — Ensenada, Mexico - [Production Expeditor, Mod Shop](https://feeny.ai/job/production-expeditor-mod-shop-fender-corona-3ycpshr0fe5d) — Corona, CA