Manufacturing Engineer in Ripley, Derbyshire
Posted by Optima UK Inc Ltd
£50,000 – £60,000 a year
Ripley · Permanent
Manufacturing Engineer
Pay: From £50,000 to £60,000
Job Description:
An experienced engineer who thrives on complex machining challenges, where your work directly supports critical UK marine, power generation, and industrial engineering programmes, this role puts you right at the heart of it. Taking full ownership of technically demanding projects-shaping manufacturing processes, solving high‑integrity engineering problems, and seeing your decisions influence quality, performance, and delivery.
Key Responsibilities
Technical Leadership & Project Ownership
- Act as the go‑to technical authority for your projects, owning all engineering and quality‑related decisions.
- Drive pre‑contract and internal reviews to ensure requirements are fully understood and achievable.
- Turn customer specifications and regulatory standards into clear, robust manufacturing methods and work instructions.
- Support and mentor production and quality teams, helping them deliver to the highest standards.
Process Engineering & Machining Development
- Define, validate, and optimise manufacturing processes for complex, high‑precision machined components.
- Develop CNC machining strategies, tooling concepts, and fixturing solutions that deliver repeatability and efficiency.
- Produce routings, stage drawings, and operation sheets that set production up for success.
- Specify materials, subcontract processes (heat treatment, NDT, coatings), and inspection requirements.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cycle time, waste reduction, and cost optimisation-without compromising quality.
Quality, Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure all activities meet ISO 9001, AS9100, and other relevant regulatory frameworks.
- Support root cause investigations and drive effective corrective and preventive actions.
- Build and maintain complete technical documentation packs, ensuring full traceability and audit readiness.
- Collaborate with Document Control and Quality teams to maintain accurate, compliant project records.
Qualities, Experience & Expertise
- HNC or higher in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Production Engineering (or equivalent).
- Strong background in precision machining within marine, aerospace, nuclear, or similarly regulated sectors.
- Proven ability to define methods of manufacture for complex components and assemblies.
- Solid understanding of CNC machining, tooling, materials, GD&T, and process optimisation.
- Experience with CAD/CAM software such as Siemens NX (highly desirable), Mastercam, or Fusion 360.
- Confident communicator with strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to influence stakeholders.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and technical documentation.
- Self‑driven, detail‑focused, and comfortable working independently.
- Eligible for BPSS security clearance (mandatory)
Shift patterns available include;
- Day shift (0730-1630 Mon-Thu, 0730-1230 Fri)
- 39hrs per week basic
Terms and Conditions and Benefits
Full-time, Permanent
Health and Wellbeing & Referral programme
Overtime is paid at 1.5x
Holiday entitlement - 33 days (including statutory)
Company pension
Company Sick Pay Scheme
Free parking
Life insurance and Employee Assistance Programme
Application opens at the source listing. Free for jobseekers.