Principal Engineer - Production Engineer

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting-edge defence technology to ground-breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Production Engineering Manager at our Farnborough site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Production Engineering Manager, you will help architect, administer and develop our manufacturing capabilities. This role will be responsible for aspects of manufacturing including the establishment of production facilities; as well as subsequent build, shipment, rework and repair of product. You will be accountable for meeting agreed production KPI targets relating to quality, yield and throughput. The primary focus will be to ensure efficient assembly, integration and test of product through proper use of space, equipment and human resource, including the demonstration of factory acceptance and contributing to certificates of conformity.

Day-to-day, you’ll be charged with maintaining high standards of process control and area discipline. You will be expected to promote an ethos of continuous improvement and 5S with emphasis on production team development, engagement and motivation. As leader of a production team, you will be responsible for resource management, inventory control and production planning.

Your responsibilities will include

• Optimising value streams, creating manufacturing workflows, and implementing digital production tools and capital equipment
• Promoting Lean6Sigma, enhancing quality control standards, and managing risk through Process
• Ensuring compliance with Health and Safety policies, managing production schedules, and overseeing asset and inventory management, including hiring, coaching, and mentoring production team members
• Collaborating on product design and engineering for manufacturing, assessing project requirements, and performing root cause analysis and problem-solving
• Defining and implementing production processes, work instructions, and training programs, while monitoring production KPIs and ensuring accurate documentation and kitting of parts

Essential experience of the Production Engineering Manager

• You should have extensive experience in production or manufacturing management
• You must have a proven track record of optimising production workflows and leading teams to meet business objectives effectively

Essential qualifications for the Production Engineering Manager

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at Farnborough. Hybrid working patterns are available.

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which means factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be eligible for SC clearance, as a minimum.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (