Job Description:

Senior Manufacturing Engineers
Location: Ampthill, Bedfordshire
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Four-day week, Monday to Thursday
Security Clearance: SC required to start; some positions require DV clearance

The Opportunity

We are recruiting multiple Senior Manufacturing Engineers for permanent opportunities within a leading defence and advanced-manufacturing environment in Ampthill. These positions form part of an Operations Engineering team supporting complex products and major development programmes throughout the complete product lifecycle.

This includes prototype and engineering builds, product industrialisation, production introduction, full-rate manufacture and end-of-life support. Successful candidates will act as recognised technical points of contact within their assigned manufacturing areas.

They will provide engineering advice, solve 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.
• Define manufacturing methods, sequences of operation, production procedures and layouts, taking account of flow, safety, ergonomics and lean principles.
• Support prototype builds, product industrialisation, production introduction and full-rate manufacture.
• 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 the creation of Technical Requirement Specifications.
• 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 techniques to improve yield, efficiency, process capability and manufacturing cost.
• Contribute to manufacturing technology roadmaps and capital-investment plans, supporting projects from initial definition through commissioning and acceptance.
• Work closely with Design Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain and Programme Management to achieve production and programme objectives.
• Support business-process reviews, operational-performance meetings and the creation or improvement of controlled manufacturing documentation.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Significant Manufacturing Engineering experience within a complex, regulated or safety-critical production environment.
• Detailed knowledge of manufacturing and assembly processes, including mechanical assembly, electromechanical assembly, bonding or comparable 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/ERP system.
• Experience defining manufacturing processes, sequences of operation and production layouts.
• Experience specifying or introducing tooling, jigs, fixtures, equipment or manufacturing facilities.
• Practical knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement methods.
• Experience using CAD software to produce or modify 2D technical drawings, layouts or manufacturing-support information.
• The ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, tolerances and bills of material.
• Strong problem-solving, planning and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering and production functions.
• Evidence of improving manufacturing quality, yield, efficiency, process capability or cost.
• A collaborative approach, sound engineering judgement and a commitment to right-first-time quality.

Desirable Experience

• Composite-material processing, bonding, adhesives or controlled special processes.
• Defence, aerospace, automotive or another highly regulated manufacturing sector.
• New product introduction or manufacturing-readiness activities.
• Statistical process control or process-capability analysis.
• Manufacturing technology roadmaps, capital planning or the commissioning of production equipment.
• Formal Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma training or certification.

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. Some positions will remain at SC level, while others will require successful candidates to obtain and maintain Developed Vetting clearance. Clearance eligibility may be affected by nationality, residency history and individual circumstances. The clearance requirement applicable to each opportunity will be discussed during the recruitment process.

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.