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- Tasks: Lead and mentor engineering teams in aerospace manufacturing for high-quality production.
- Company: Join Britten-Norman, a leader in aircraft manufacturing on the beautiful Isle of Wight.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of annual leave, flexible hours, and competitive salary.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while driving innovation and safety.
- Qualifications: Experience in aerospace production engineering and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Employment type: Permanent
Salary: £55,000 - £70,000
Standard Hours: Flexible start / 40 hours per week
Location: Bembridge, Isle of Wight
The Head of Production Engineering is responsible for leading production engineering and manufacturing engineering activities in support of Britten-Norman's aircraft manufacturing and modification operations. The role ensures safe, compliant, efficient, and high-quality manufacturing processes across aircraft assembly, structures, systems installation, and component manufacture. It combines hands-on engineering leadership with team management to support production delivery, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance within a low-volume, high-complexity aerospace environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Leadership & Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop Production Engineering teams
- Set engineering priorities aligned with production schedules, aircraft delivery milestones, and business objectives.
- Allocate engineering resources to support assembly lines, modification programmes, and NPI activity.
- Promote a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Production & Operations Support
- Provide day-to-day engineering support to aircraft assembly, systems installation, and modification activities.
- Resolve production issues impacting safety, quality, cost, or delivery, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective action.
- Support production planning by improving workflow, line balance, and capacity utilisation.
- Monitor and improve key metrics such as delivery performance, labour efficiency, and schedule adherence.
- Manufacturing & Production Engineering
- Develop, maintain, and optimise manufacturing processes, routings, tooling, and work instructions for aircraft and components.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI), aircraft variants, design changes, and industrialisation activities.
- Ensure manufacturing documentation is compliant with Part 21, Part 145 (where applicable), and internal procedures.
- Drive standardisation and best practice across production and engineering functions.
- Continuous Improvement & Cost Control
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives appropriate to low-volume aerospace manufacturing (Lean, Kaizen, problem-solving)
- Reduce rework, non-conformances, and manufacturing waste while maintaining airworthiness and quality standards
- Identify opportunities to improve build efficiency, flow, and cost without compromising compliance or safety
- Support capital investment cases for tooling, fixtures, and equipment
- Tooling, Equipment & Automation
- Oversee the specification, design, and introduction of jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids for aircraft production
- Work closely with Maintenance and Facilities to ensure equipment availability and safe operation
- Support selective automation and digital manufacturing solutions where they add value in a high-mix environment
- Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure manufacturing processes meet Britten-Norman quality standards and regulatory requirements
- Work closely with Quality and Compliance to support audits, investigations, and corrective actions
- Support root cause analysis for non-conformances, concessions, and production escapes
- Promote a strong safety culture across all manufacturing and engineering activities
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Planning teams
- Support supplier technical issues and manufacturing readiness where required
- Provide engineering input to programme reviews, delivery planning, and operational risk assessments
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Experience in Production Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering within an aerospace manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of aircraft manufacturing, assembly, structures, or systems installation
- Experience working in a regulated environment (EASA / CAA / Part 21 / Part 145)
- Proven ability to lead engineering teams and support live production
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Desirable
- Experience in low-volume, high-mix aerospace manufacturing
- Knowledge of airworthiness, configuration control, and change management
- Experience with Lean principles applied to aerospace environments
- Familiarity with digital work instructions, MRP/ERP systems, and manufacturing KPIs
Benefits
36 annual leave days (inclusive of)
Head of Production Engineering employer: Britten-Norman
Contact Detail:
Britten-Norman Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Production Engineering
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the aerospace industry, especially those at Britten-Norman. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the company’s values and recent projects. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note. It keeps you on their radar and shows you’re genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Production Engineering
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Production Engineering role. Highlight your experience in aerospace manufacturing and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to highlight your problem-solving abilities. Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in production engineering or manufacturing. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Britten-Norman
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of production engineering and aerospace manufacturing. Familiarise yourself with the specific processes and regulations mentioned in the job description, like EASA and Part 21 compliance. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also understand the industry.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Production Engineering, you'll need to lead and mentor teams. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or improved processes. Highlight your ability to promote a culture of safety and continuous improvement, as these are key aspects of the role.
✨Problem-Solving is Key
Be ready to discuss specific challenges you've faced in production or manufacturing settings. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. This will demonstrate your strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail, which are crucial for this position.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current projects, challenges, and future goals. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the company aligns with your career aspirations. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers on a deeper level.