Production Engineer

Production Engineer

Pontypool | Permanent, full-time | £40k - £50k D.O.E

About the Role
Our client, a specialist in the automotive/vehicle conversion sector, is looking for a Production Engineer to join their Operations team, reporting to the Operations Manager. This is a hands-on role responsible for improving production line performance across vehicle conversion operations — designing and optimising line layouts, applying work study techniques, and leading automation and continuous improvement projects to boost productivity, quality and cost performance in line with OEM programme requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and optimise line layouts for better flow, balance and space utilisation
• Conduct time and motion studies to establish standard times
• Maintain and update SOPs and method sheets
• Identify and implement automation/process improvements to reduce manual handling and remove bottlenecks
• Support capacity planning with accurate time data and workload analysis
• Collaborate with Production, Engineering and Quality teams on process changes
• Specify, justify and project-manage new tooling, jigs and equipment
• Investigate process/equipment/quality issues using root cause analysis (RCA)
• Support new programme launches and NPI activities
• Apply lean/CI principles and tools to drive sustained improvement
• Produce reports and technical documentation to support OEM programme requirements

Essential Skills & Experience

• Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or similar (or equivalent experience)
• Proven experience in production engineering, CI or industrial engineering within automotive, vehicle conversion or manufacturing
• Working knowledge of work study/time measurement techniques (MOST, MTM or equivalent)
• Demonstrable CI experience with lean tools (5S, VSM, Kaizen)
• Strong analytical and numerical skills
• Knowledge of line layout design, efficiency improvement and automation principles
• Experience specifying/sourcing/commissioning production tooling, jigs or equipment
• Confident in structured problem-solving/RCA (8D, 5-Why, fishbone)
• Strong Excel skills; work study or ERP software experience advantageous
• Confident communicator across all levels, from operatives to senior management

Desirable

• Six Sigma Black Belt (or working towards)
• Experience in vehicle conversion or low-volume automotive production
• Familiarity with OEM production systems (e.g. Ford or Stellantis supply chain)
• CAD skills for line layout/tooling design
• Line balancing and takt time analysis experience
• Professional body membership (IMechE, IET or similar)
• Experience supporting NPI or programme launch activities