Advanced Manufacturing Engineer - NPI & Industrialisation in Droitwich
Posted by Gapp Search Limited
£50,000 – £60,000 a year
Droitwich · Permanent
Manufacturing | Engineering | New Product Introduction
If you've built your career around manufacturing engineering, new product introduction and process development, and know how to turn engineering designs into efficient, repeatable and cost-effective manufacturing processes, this is a role with genuine scope.
We're recruiting for an established international engineering manufacturer looking for an experienced Advanced Manufacturing Engineer to take ownership of manufacturing industrialisation, production process development and new product introduction programmes.
You'll work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Operations and Manufacturing teams to ensure new products and processes are developed, validated and successfully introduced into production.
This is a hands-on engineering role combining Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA), manufacturing process design, production line development, quality planning and equipment specification, with responsibility for taking projects from initial concept through to production launch and operational handover.
What you'll be doing
- Lead manufacturing engineering activities for New Product Introduction (NPI), APQP and capital investment programmes
- Take ownership of manufacturing industrialisation from early concept through prototype, pilot builds and production launch
- Develop manufacturing readiness plans, project milestones, resource requirements and risk assessments
- Lead Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA) reviews to ensure products are designed for efficient production
- Work with Design Engineering to improve product architecture, component selection, tolerances and assembly methods
- Identify opportunities to simplify product designs, reduce part counts and improve manufacturing efficiency
- Design and develop manufacturing processes, production cells, flow lines, workstations and factory layouts
- Define manufacturing sequences, takt times, cycle times, line balancing, labour requirements and production capacity
- Develop material flow, workstation layouts, lifting requirements and point-of-use arrangements
- Validate manufacturing processes through modelling, trials, prototype builds and pilot production
- Lead Process Flow and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA) activities
- Work with Quality Engineering to develop process control plans, inspection requirements and validation criteria
- Identify manufacturing risks and implement mistake-proofing and preventative quality measures
- Use structured problem-solving techniques, including 8D and root cause analysis, to resolve manufacturing and production launch issues
- Specify manufacturing equipment, automation, tooling, jigs and fixtures to support new production processes
- Develop technical specifications and capital investment business cases for new manufacturing equipment
- Support equipment supplier selection, design reviews, acceptance testing, installation and commissioning
- Evaluate opportunities for automation, robotics, digital work instructions, vision systems and automated inspection
- Support make-versus-buy decisions and supplier manufacturing readiness assessments
- Define manufacturing BOMs, routings, labour standards, standard work instructions and training requirements
- Monitor production ramp-up against safety, quality, delivery, cost and process capability targets
- Complete formal handover of validated manufacturing processes to Operations and sustaining Manufacturing Engineering teams
The Advanced Manufacturing Engineer will need proven experience in manufacturing engineering, industrialisation, process engineering or New Product Introduction within a complex mechanical or electromechanical manufacturing environment.
You should also have:
- Typically 5+ years' experience in Manufacturing Engineering, NPI, industrialisation or process engineering
- A track record of taking new products or manufacturing processes from concept through to production launch
- Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA) principles
- Experience working with NPI, APQP, manufacturing readiness and production launch processes
- Practical knowledge of Process Flow, PFMEA, process control plans and manufacturing validation
- Experience designing manufacturing processes, production cells, workstations or flow-line layouts
- Understanding of takt time, cycle time, line balancing, capacity modelling and labour planning
- Experience specifying manufacturing equipment, tooling, jigs, fixtures and production automation
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
- Experience supporting prototype builds, pilot production and manufacturing process validation
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement techniques
- Strong problem-solving skills with experience using 8D and root cause analysis
- Understanding of manufacturing quality planning, process capability and risk management
- Working knowledge of CAD and PLM, PDM, ERP or MES systems
- Strong project management and organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple technical priorities
- Ability to work cross-functionally with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Operations and external suppliers
- Strong communication and influencing skills with a proactive, practical approach to engineering challenges
- A strong commitment to manufacturing safety, quality and operational efficiency
Experience within process plant, HVAC, modular manufacturing, capital equipment, low-volume/high-value or engineer-to-order environments would be particularly relevant.
Knowledge of automation, robotics, digital manufacturing systems, ISO 9001 and UKCA/CE requirements would also be advantageous.
The role
Sector: Manufacturing / Mechanical & Electromechanical Engineering
Department: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering
Focus: NPI, Industrialisation & Production Readiness
Reporting to: Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Lead
This is a strong opportunity for an experienced Advanced Manufacturing Engineer who understands how to turn complex product designs into safe, efficient and scalable manufacturing processes, taking ownership from early engineering development through to successful production launch.
You'll be joining an established international engineering business with a strong focus on engineering excellence, manufacturing innovation and continuous improvement, with the opportunity to influence new product development, manufacturing technology and future production capabilities.
Apply now or contact Gapp Search for a confidential conversation.
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