Manufacturing Engineer in Bristol, Gloucestershire

We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer (NPI) for a permanent role to play a pivotal role in transforming ground breaking technologies into world-class products. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a globally recognised leader in scientific instrumentation and advanced technology, helping to deliver solutions that enable discoveries at the micro- and nano-scale across industries worldwide.
The Opportunity
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will lead the introduction of new products into production, ensuring they are efficiently industrialised, scalable, cost-effective, and capable of meeting the highest quality standards. You'll work at the heart of innovation, collaborating with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams to bridge the gap between product development and successful manufacturing.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, driving process improvements, and making a tangible impact on the success of cutting-edge products.
What You'll Be Doing
As our NPI Manufacturing Engineer, you will:

• Lead the industrialisation and scale-up of new and existing products.
• Define manufacturing processes, production layouts, tooling, fixtures, jigs, and equipment requirements.
• Act as the key technical liaison between suppliers, production teams, and engineering functions.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, including work instructions, SOPs, routings, and production processes.
• Support prototype, pilot, and pre-production builds, driving lessons learned into manufacturing readiness.
• Collaborate across Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Production to ensure manufacturability and operational excellence.
• Define cycle times, labour requirements, capacity planning, and line balancing activities.
• Drive effective problem-solving using structured methodologies such as 8D, A3, and Root Cause Analysis.
• Support product transfers from development into full-scale production and ensure successful ramp-up activities.
• Monitor performance metrics and identify opportunities for continuous improvement, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.

About You
We're looking for an engineering professional who combines strong technical expertise with excellent communication and project management skills.

Essential Requirements

• HND or Degree qualified in Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Significant experience within an electro-mechanical manufacturing or production engineering environment.
• Proven experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) activities within a manufacturing setting.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, process validation, PFMEA, Control Plans, and APQP methodologies.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and technical specifications.
• Excellent problem-solving, project management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Experience producing technical documentation and presenting technical information clearly and effectively.

Desirable Experience

• Experience within high-technology, low-volume, high-complexity manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of semiconductor, precision engineering, machining, fabrication, or advanced technology systems.
• Experience driving Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with CAD software, ideally Solid Edge.
• Postgraduate qualification in Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.