Manufacturing Engineer in Coventry

Manufacturing Engineer Coventry £38,000 - £45,000

The DRVN Automotive Group are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join our fast-moving engineering and manufacturing team in Coventry. The role will focus on developing, implementing and continuously improving manufacturing and assembly processes across DRVN Automotive Group programmes. Working closely with Design, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Production and suppliers, the successful candidate will support products from engineering definition through prototype and development builds, production launch and ongoing manufacture. The position suits a practical, hands‑on engineer who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges, developing tooling and fixtures, improving assembly methods and creating safe, efficient and repeatable production processes within a specialist automotive environment.

Overview of the Role

Manufacturing Engineer Salary: £38,000 - £45,000 Location: Coventry Company Overview The DRVN Automotive Group is a sector‑leading automotive group, specialising in the design, manufacture, and distribution of luxury automotive brands. Recognised globally for our commitment to innovation, quality and engineering, we are proudly centred around delivering a world‑class customer experience. Our recent launch of Evoluto, along with the reimagination of some of Ford Motor Company's most historically significant icons - including the RS200 and MK1 Escort - places DRVN at the forefront of modern automotive excellence. These programmes provide our teams with an exceptional platform to apply their skills across multiple disciplines and be part of some of the most exciting modernisation programmes in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Engineering Delivery Provide Manufacturing Engineering support from concept and design through prototype builds, launch and production. Review CAD data, engineering drawings, specifications and Bills of Materials to identify manufacturing requirements, feasibility concerns and programme risks. Provide Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) input during engineering and design reviews. Define suitable manufacturing and assembly methods for components, sub‑assemblies and vehicle installations. Support engineering changes and ensure updates are reflected in manufacturing processes, tooling, work instructions and production documentation. Develop practical manufacturing solutions that achieve programme quality, cost and timing requirements. Prototype & Vehicle Build Support Provide hands‑on Manufacturing Engineering support during prototype, development, pre‑production and production vehicle builds. Work directly with technicians and production teams to resolve fit, assembly, tolerance, access and build concerns. Capture build issues and lessons learned and feed improvements back into Engineering and Manufacturing. Support the development of repeatable assembly processes from initial builds through controlled production. Investigate manufacturing concerns and implement effective containment and permanent corrective actions. Manufacturing Processes & Tooling Develop and continuously improve manufacturing and assembly processes to ensure safe, efficient and repeatable production. Define build sequences, fastening, torque, bonding and other appropriate manufacturing process requirements. Produce clear manufacturing documentation including work instructions, process sheets and assembly instructions. Design and support the manufacture of jigs, fixtures, gauges, tooling and assembly aids. Produce or support CAD models and engineering drawings for manufacturing tooling and fixtures. Support tooling manufacture, trials, commissioning, validation and production introduction. Support DRVN's 3D printing equipment to produce prototype components, manufacturing aids, jigs, fixtures and development parts. Quality & Continuous Improvement Work closely with Quality Engineering to establish robust manufacturing processes and production controls. Support investigation of manufacturing non‑conformances and vehicle build concerns. Lead or support root‑cause analysis and implementation of corrective and preventive actions. Support PFMEA, Control Plan and manufacturing risk‑assessment activities where applicable. Identify opportunities to reduce build time, rework, waste and cost while improving quality and consistency. Apply lessons learned across DRVN programmes to improve future products and manufacturing processes. Procurement & Supplier Support Support Procurement with the sourcing of manufacturing equipment, tooling, fixtures and externally manufactured components. Define technical requirements and Statements of Work for manufacturing equipment and tooling. Review supplier proposals and provide technical input into supplier selection. Work with suppliers to resolve manufacturing, dimensional, tooling and quality concerns. Support tooling reviews, component trials, supplier visits and buy‑off activities where required. Cross‑Functional Collaboration Act as a key Manufacturing Engineering point of contact across DRVN programmes. Collaborate closely with Design, Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Programme Management, Production and suppliers. Participate in design reviews, build reviews and manufacturing readiness activities. Communicate manufacturing risks, recommendations and programme impacts clearly to stakeholders. Maintain a visible, hands‑on presence within DRVN manufacturing operations. Support programme objectives for quality, cost, timing and vehicle build readiness.

Essential Skills

Degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship or equivalent professional experience in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Automotive Engineering or a related discipline. 5+ years of Manufacturing Engineering experience within automotive, motorsport, specialist vehicle, aerospace or a comparable engineering environment. Experience supporting products from prototype and development through production launch and ongoing manufacture. Strong knowledge of automotive manufacturing and assembly processes. Good understanding of Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) principles. Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions and production documentation. Experience designing or developing jigs, fixtures, gauges, tooling or assembly aids. Ability to interpret CAD models, engineering drawings, Bills of Materials, specifications and GD&T. Confidence using CAD software for parts, assemblies, tooling and engineering drawings. Good understanding of vehicle assembly, fastening, bonding, tolerances and build sequencing. Working knowledge of PFMEA, Control Plans, root‑cause analysis and corrective-action methodologies. Strong practical problem‑solving, communication and stakeholder‑management skills. Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Quality, Production, Procurement and supplier teams. Flexible, collaborative and comfortable working within a fast‑paced automotive development and manufacturing environment.

Desirable Experience

Experience within low‑volume, specialist, luxury, performance or motorsport vehicle manufacture. Hands‑on experience supporting prototype and pre‑production vehicle builds. Experience specifying, commissioning or validating manufacturing equipment and tooling. Experience supporting additive manufacturing / 3D printing for prototype parts, tooling or manufacturing aids. Experience working directly with manufacturing suppliers on tooling, dimensional and process concerns.

Right to Work

Please note that this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Right‑to‑work checks will be carried out in accordance with Home Office requirements.

Equality & Inclusion Statement

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.