Principal Process Engineer

📍 Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex (Onsite)

We are working with a high-performing engineering organisation delivering cutting-edge products across multiple advanced sectors. They are now looking to appoint a Principal Industrialisation / Process Engineer to lead New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes and drive manufacturing excellence.

This is a hands-on, leadership-focused role within a dynamic environment, supporting the industrialisation of complex, low-volume products for premium customers.

You will take ownership of industrialisation activities across NPI projects, ensuring products are effectively transitioned from development into manufacturing.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading industrialisation and manufacturing project activities across multiple programmes
• Developing and implementing manufacturing documentation (DFM/DFA, control plans, PFMEA, work instructions, etc.)
• Designing production processes, facility layouts, and material flows
• Specifying, procuring, and validating tooling and manufacturing equipment
• Supporting prototype builds and early-stage process validation
• Driving continuous improvement across cost, quality, and delivery metrics
• Managing supplier quality and ensuring adherence to APQP/PPAP standards
• Reporting project and launch readiness status internally and to customers
• Supporting business growth through technical input and proposal development

• Proven experience in industrialisation / manufacturing project leadership
• Background in automotive, aerospace, marine, or adjacent high-performance engineering sectors
• Strong knowledge of assembly processes, quality tools (DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans) and production readiness
• Experience driving NPI / launch programmes
• Hands-on understanding of lean manufacturing principles
• Familiarity with supplier quality, APQP/PPAP, and industry standards
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing methods
• Experience with tooling, fixtures, or layout design (CAD preferred)

• Degree-qualified in Engineering (or similar)
• Chartered Engineer status
• Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
• Experience with PLC, MES, or vision systems
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP)
• Project or commercial management experience

• Work on innovative, niche engineering projects across diverse sectors
• Be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking NPI team
• Play a key role in bringing advanced products from concept through to production
• Opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy and process capability