Production Technician in Portsmouth

About Harwin plc

Harwin plc is a Portsmouth-based, family-owned precision engineering company on an ambitious global growth journey. With a strong international presence and a well-established partner network, the organisation has built a reputation over decades for quality, reliability, and long-term thinking. As an employer, Harwin offers a distinctive environment shaped by its heritage and forward-looking mindset. The business is currently investing significantly in technology, digital transformation, and ways of working, alongside the development of a new headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Portsmouth. This is a period of meaningful growth and evolution, with a clear ambition to scale capabilities and strengthen its global impact. At the same time, the values associated with family ownership remain central — fostering a culture that emphasises collaboration, accountability, and sustained success. For those looking to develop their careers, Harwin provides the opportunity to contribute to a growing organisation while being part of a team that values both innovation and long-term perspective.

The Opportunity

We are looking to expand our Production Technician team on our night shift. Production technicians play a key role in setting, running and maintaining our special-purpose manufacturing machinery across three business areas. They work on a shift basis to keep our machines running 24 hours a day, five days a week. Successful candidates will have previous manufacturing experience working with automated machines and be willing to learn how we work our unique product line. This is a demanding role that requires a high attention to detail. We have positions available in our Tape & Reel and Robot departments, but may be cross-trained in another discipline should there be a business need. Special-purpose machine departments include Clipping, Tape & Reel, Pocket Forming, Robots & Datamate areas. Regardless of the area you are based in, you will receive full training and be assigned a mentor while you are learning the skills needed to operate to high standards within the manufacturing areas.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Setting and running our special-purpose automated machinery.
• Fault-finding and repairing the special-purpose automated machinery.
• Compiling quality documentation throughout the run of a job (first off, last off and in-process inspection).
• Using the ERP system to process the work through to the next step of the manufacturing process.
• Using technical drawings to ensure parts are made to correct specifications.
• Using CMM and other measuring equipment.
• Using vision systems for quality control during the manufacturing process.
• Working to EN9100 standards – strictly following manufacturing processes and procedures.
• Patrol inspections – visually check produced parts to ensure no faults or defects.
• Working as part of a team to share knowledge and best-practice guidance on machine setting and utilisation.
• Being aware of machine utilisation and efficiently liaising with team members and supervisors to ensure optimisation of each machine.
• Using the maintenance ticketing system to log machine faults and effectively communicate machine issues to Production Support teams.
• Observing and supporting Production Support teams to fix breakdowns and overcome any issues.
• Responsible for FOD and 5S within the manufacturing area.
• Working on our in-house automated machines to achieve production targets and meet business requirements.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Experience using manual tools.
• Mechanically minded and experience with automated machines (advantage but not essential).
• Experience working to technical drawings (advantage).
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to work to high quality standards.
• Ability to work to targets & KPIs.
• Capability and readiness to adhere to both verbal and written directions.
• Ability to work as part of a team – essential.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive salary plus 40% shift allowance.
• 25 days holiday plus bank/public holidays.
• Additional 3 days off over the festive period.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Company pension scheme.
• Life cover 3 times salary.
• Company bonus scheme.

As an equal opportunities employer, Harwin is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership. We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join Harwin.