Job Description:

Senior Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Ampthill, Bedfordshire
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Four-day week, Monday to Thursday
Security Clearance: SC required before starting

The Opportunity

We are recruiting multiple Senior Manufacturing Engineers to join an Operations Engineering team within a leading defence and advanced-manufacturing environment in Ampthill.

These positions will support complex products and major development programmes across the complete manufacturing lifecycle, including prototype and engineering builds, product industrialisation, production introduction, full-rate manufacture and end-of-life support.

The successful candidates will act as recognised technical points of contact within their assigned manufacturing areas. They will provide engineering advice, resolve complex production problems and coordinate activities that support operational performance and future programme requirements.

The roles will focus on developing robust manufacturing processes, improving yield, reducing cost and promoting a proactive right-first-time quality culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement and continuously improve manufacturing processes across the complete product lifecycle, including prototype builds, industrialisation, production introduction and full-rate manufacture.
• Define manufacturing methods, sequences of operation, production procedures and layouts, considering production flow, safety, ergonomics and Lean principles.
• Create and maintain detailed process instructions, manufacturing bills of material, production routings and associated master data within SAP or a comparable ERP system.
• Identify requirements for new tooling, jigs, fixtures, equipment and facilities, including producing Technical Requirement Specifications and supporting commissioning and acceptance.
• Provide Basis of Estimate information for engineering activities and shop-floor operations.
• Investigate production problems, defects and non-conformances using structured root-cause analysis, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma and quality-improvement methods to improve yield, efficiency, process capability and manufacturing cost.
• Contribute to manufacturing technology roadmaps, capital-investment plans, business-process reviews and operational-performance meetings.
• Work closely with Design Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain and Programme Management to achieve production and programme objectives.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Significant Manufacturing Engineering experience gained within a complex, regulated or safety-critical production environment.
• Detailed knowledge of mechanical or electromechanical assembly, bonding, manufacturing processes or comparable production technologies.
• Experience supporting products through development, prototype manufacture, industrialisation, production introduction or full-rate production.
• Experience creating manufacturing instructions, BOMs and production routings, with a sound understanding of SAP or a comparable MRP or ERP system.
• Experience defining manufacturing processes, sequences of operation and production layouts.
• Experience specifying or introducing tooling, jigs, fixtures, production equipment or manufacturing facilities.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement methods, with evidence of improving quality, yield, efficiency, process capability or cost.
• Experience using CAD software and the ability to interpret or modify technical drawings, layouts, specifications, tolerances and bills of material.
• Strong problem-solving, planning and communication skills, with sound engineering judgement and the ability to work collaboratively across engineering and production functions.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within defence, aerospace, automotive or another highly regulated manufacturing sector.
• Knowledge of composite materials, bonding, adhesives, controlled special processes, statistical process control or process-capability analysis.
• Experience of new product introduction, manufacturing-readiness, capital planning, production-equipment commissioning or formal Lean or Six Sigma training.

Qualifications

A degree, HNC, HND, technical apprenticeship or equivalent qualification in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering or a related discipline would be beneficial.

Applications are also welcomed from candidates who can demonstrate an equivalent level of technical knowledge through substantial relevant experience.

Security Clearance

Candidates must hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, UK Security Check clearance before starting employment.

Clearance eligibility may be affected by nationality, residency history and individual circumstances. The clearance requirements applicable to each opportunity will be discussed during the recruitment process.

What Is Offered

• Multiple permanent opportunities with a 37.5-hour, four-day working week from Monday to Thursday.
• Flexible working arrangements, subject to programme and operational requirements.
• Involvement across the complete manufacturing lifecycle and exposure to complex engineering programmes.
• Opportunities to influence manufacturing processes, technology and future production capability while continuing long-term technical and professional development.

Due to the production-facing and security-sensitive nature of these positions, candidates should expect a regular onsite presence in Ampthill.

How to Apply

If you are an experienced Manufacturing Engineer with a background in process development, assembly, production support, industrialisation or continuous improvement, please submit an up-to-date CV.