Manufacturing Engineering Lead

Manufacturing Engineering Lead

Gloucester, Gloucestershire

Revolutionising the future of lightweight manufacturing

WF Tech is recruiting on behalf of a rapidly growing advanced manufacturing business at the forefront of lightweight composite technology.

The company has invented Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS), a proven technology for producing defect-free curved-fibre composite parts at industrial scale. Its technology enables customers across aerospace, automotive, defence and space to manufacture lighter structures with greater efficiency than traditional composite production methods.

The business operates manufacturing facilities in the UK and US, alongside dedicated hardware and software R&D centres. With more than 25 customers and significant investment secured to support its next phase of growth, the company is preparing for substantial expansion over the next two to three years.

As part of this growth, we are looking for an experienced and hands-on Manufacturing Engineering Lead to join the Gloucester operation.

The Role

This is a key leadership position responsible for the Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling capability within the Gloucester plant.

You will lead the local Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling teams, working closely with Operations while reporting into the Director of Engineering. Operations will provide the day-to-day priorities, with Engineering providing technical standards, governance and longer-term strategy.

This is not a purely managerial position. We are looking for someone who enjoys remaining close to the engineering and production environment and who can deliver technical Manufacturing Engineering work themselves while leading, developing and supporting the wider team.

You will play a key role in taking new products and processes from design through to production, ensuring manufacturing methods, tooling, documentation, training, quality controls and production readiness are all in place.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead and develop the plant's Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling teams, setting objectives and managing workload and priorities.
* Own the Manufacturing Engineering delivery plan, ensuring alignment between Operations and Engineering.
* Remain hands-on and deliver Manufacturing Engineering activity alongside the team.
* Support Business Development with quotations, manufacturing methodologies, process assumptions, tooling requirements and costings.
* Support Design Engineering with Design for Manufacture activities.
* Develop production and tooling routings and Bills of Materials.
* Create comprehensive Methods of Manufacture (MoMs), including:
* Step-by-step manufacturing instructions
* Health & Safety requirements and COSHH assessments where required
* Tooling and equipment requirements
* Material specifications
* Cure cycle specifications and programme numbers
* Customer specifications and quality/compliance requirements
* Develop process sheets, standard procedures and production documentation.
* Develop and implement quality control procedures and inspection plans.
* Support tooling design activities, including tooling concepts, fixtures and supporting equipment.
* Lead APQP activity for NPI, including process flow, PFMEA, control plans and PPAP/FAIR requirements.
* Take build-to-print components, tooling and parts from Design Engineering into production, identifying and controlling manufacturing risks.
* Own local manufacturing readiness for new products and processes.
* Review production data and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and process capability.
* Lead structured problem solving and root cause analysis across manufacturing, tooling, quality and process issues.
* Develop plant capability through skills matrices, SME ownership and training plans.
* Support Procurement and suppliers with technical guidance on materials, tooling, equipment, packaging and manufacturing requirements.
* Promote safe working practices, AS9100-aligned quality standards, lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
* Collaborate with other sites to share best practice and standardise Manufacturing Engineering processes as the business scales.

What We're Looking For

Essential

* At least 5 years' industrial Manufacturing Engineering experience within a production, NPI or industrialisation environment.
* At least 3 years' experience managing, supervising or directly leading a technical team.
* Strong practical knowledge of composite manufacturing and processing.
* Strong understanding of composite materials and their behaviour.
* Experience working within an aerospace or advanced manufacturing environment.
* Understanding of AS9100 and quality control requirements.
* Proven experience leading Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling or production support activities.
* Strong understanding of manufacturing process development, routings, BoMs, process sheets, work instructions and Methods of Manufacture.
* Experience with PFMEA, structured problem solving, root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
* Knowledge of lean manufacturing principles.
* CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks and Composer, together with good Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
* A hands-on approach, with the ability to combine technical delivery with team leadership.
* Strong communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Supply Chain.
* Comfortable working in a fast-moving scale-up environment where processes are continually being developed and standardised.

Desirable

* Experience across both composite manufacturing and metallic machining/tooling.
* Experience with AFP.
* Knowledge of CNC machining, jigs, fixtures, precision tooling and metallic components.
* Understanding of manufacturing cost drivers.
* Experience supporting NPI, APQP, production readiness or manufacturing gate reviews.
* Experience developing competency frameworks, training matrices and shop-floor training plans.
* Degree qualification in Composite Materials, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering or a related discipline.
* Six Sigma Green or Black Belt qualification.

Our Values - Uncompromising Excellence

* Discipline over excuses
* We commit, follow through and hold ourselves and each other to high standards, particularly when the pressure is on.
*
* Push the edge
* The business was built on challenging what was previously considered possible. We innovate where others hesitate.
*
* Aligned and accountable
* Everyone owns their responsibilities, communicates openly and delivers without being chased. No silos. No ambiguity.

What Is on Offer?

25 days' holiday + bank holidays
Pension scheme
Private healthcare
Car allowance via salary sacrifice
Profit share scheme
Opportunity to work at the forefront of advanced composite manufacturing
A genuinely hands-on leadership role within a rapidly growing technology business
The opportunity to help shape Manufacturing Engineering capability as the business scales internationally
Working Hours & Location

Location: Gloucester, Gloucestershire
Hours: Monday?Thursday 8:00am?5:00pm, Friday 8:00am?2:30pm
Position: Manufacturing Engineering Lead
Sector: Advanced Manufacturing / Aerospace / Composites

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to join a business developing technology that has the potential to transform how lightweight composite structures are manufactured.

As Manufacturing Engineering Lead, you won't simply be managing an established process. You'll have the opportunity to build capability, develop people, improve manufacturing processes and help establish the standards that will support the company's next stage of growth.

If you are an experienced Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys being hands-on, has strong composite manufacturing experience and wants to play a significant role in a high-growth advanced manufacturing environment, WF Tech would like to hear from you.

Advertised by WF Tech ? Specialist recruiters in Precision Manufacturing.

How to Apply
Do you have the experience? The company welcome a site visit to ensure you are happy with the role, the environment and the people you will work with!

If you would like to speak to someone regarding being booking an interview then please contact Daniel Waite on View phone number on applybe.com for more information or send an email to Show email

Immediate starts are available!

Workforce Technical are responsible for placing skilled and in demand people on both a permanent and contract basis into the Engineering, Technical and Manufacturing sectors, from skilled Shop Floor Personnel and Specialist Engineers to Supervisory and Management positions. We are always searching for the best talent, so if you know anyone, why not recommend someone to one of our professional team who will be more than happy to help.

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