Production Engineer
Southampton
Hands‑on Production Engineer salary: £45,000 - £48,250
Please note: only applicants with the full-time, permanent right to work in the UK will be considered.
Hands‑on Production Engineer Overview:
Support and improve automated production lines in a growing in-house manufacturing site
Work hands‑on with machinery issues, setup, changeovers and production performance
Lead RCA, process improvement, documentation and standardisation activity
Create SOPs, machine instructions and repeatable working methods for production teams
Develop machine setters and operators while improving reliability, output and consistency
The Hands‑on Production Engineer role
This Production Engineer role is with a growing manufacturer in Southampton, supporting a newly established in-house production operation. The Production Engineer will work across automated production lines, helping improve line reliability, reduce downtime, standardise machine setup and support day‑to‑day technical issues on the shop floor. This Production Engineer position suits someone who combines process improvement and RCA capability with the hands‑on engineering confidence to work directly with machinery, setters and production teams.
The Hands‑on Production Engineer role
As Production Engineer, you’ll spend significant time on the shop floor understanding how each machine and process works, then using that knowledge to improve consistency, documentation and line performance. The production environment is still developing, so the Production Engineer will play a key part in building better structure around machine manuals, SOPs, setup methods, changeovers, fault finding and training.
This is not a purely desk‑based CI role and it is not a pure maintenance position. The Production Engineer needs to be comfortable investigating production problems, supporting machinery issues, working with operators and machine setters, and turning practical improvements into repeatable processes.
Day‑to‑day responsibilities of a Hands‑on Production Engineer
- Provide day‑to‑day engineering support across automated production lines
- Investigate production issues and identify practical technical solutions
- Support machine setters with setup, changeover and operating problems
- Help identify causes of downtime, quality issues and poor line performance
- Create and maintain machine manuals, SOPs and operating instructions
- Document setup requirements, standard settings and product changeover methods
- Improve consistency between shifts, operators and production runs
- Lead or support RCA activity for recurring machine and process issues
- Support corrective actions following machinery, process or quality problems
- Improve changeover methods and reduce unnecessary downtime
- Support breakdowns, fault finding and practical repairs where appropriate
- Assist with planned maintenance activity and spare‑parts requirements
- Work with suppliers or specialist contractors where additional support is needed
- Guide and train machine setters and production staff on improved ways of working
- Support continuous improvement projects across reliability, productivity and process control
What they’re looking for - Hands‑on Production Engineer
- Experience in a Production Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer or similar role
- Background working around automated production machinery
- Strong practical understanding of manufacturing processes and shop‑floor problem solving
- Experience with root cause analysis, corrective actions and continuous improvement
- Able to create clear SOPs, work instructions, machine guides or technical documentation
- Comfortable supporting machine setup, changeovers and production issues directly
- Confident working with operators, machine setters and wider production teams
- Practical, analytical and able to bring structure to a developing manufacturing environment
- Able to understand machinery in detail and turn improvements into repeatable standards
Desirable - Hands‑on Production Engineer
- Experience in packaging, filling, capping, labelling or automated line environments
- Background in FMCG, food, beverage, cosmetics, chemical, consumer products or process manufacturing
- Maintenance or breakdown support experience
- Mechanical and electrical fault‑finding ability
- Pneumatics, PLC/HMI fault diagnosis or automated equipment troubleshooting
- Planned preventative maintenance exposure
- Lean Manufacturing, OEE, downtime analysis or structured CI experience
- Experience training or mentoring machine setters, operators or production staff
What’s on offer - Hands‑on Production Engineer
Production Engineer salary: £45,000 - £48,250
A hands‑on Production Engineer role with real influence over how a newer manufacturing operation is structured, supported and improved.
The chance to work across automated production lines, machinery support, RCA, documentation, training and continuous improvement.
A strong opportunity for a Production Engineer who enjoys practical problem solving and wants to help build a more reliable, standardised and efficient production environment.
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Production Engineer in Southampton employer: Holt Engineering
Join a dynamic manufacturing and engineering organisation in Horsham, where we prioritise employee growth and development within a collaborative work culture. As a Supply Chain Team Leader, you will benefit from competitive salary packages, comprehensive training programmes, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a thriving industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Engineer in Southampton
✨Join Local Manufacturing Groups
Getting involved in local manufacturing groups or associations can seriously boost your visibility. These groups often have insider info on job openings and networking events, plus they help you connect with like-minded folks in the industry. Check out what's happening in your area!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Practical Spaces
Consider participating in workshops or open days at manufacturing companies. It's a great way to show off your hands-on skills in a real-world environment and can sometimes lead to job offers right on the spot. Keep an eye on announcements from local manufacturers for these opportunities!
✨Leverage the Power of Internships
While you're looking for full-time positions, don't underestimate the power of internships! Even if you don't see a direct role, securing an internship at a company can open doors to future jobs. Many manufacturing firms prefer to hire from their intern pool, so it's definitely worth considering.
✨Apply Directly Through Company Websites
When you find a role at a company you love, like Holt Engineering, apply directly on their website. This way, you’re more likely to be noticed by the hiring team. Plus, showing that you took the time to seek out their application process highlights your genuine interest in the firm!
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In the manufacturing-production sector, it's crucial to highlight your technical skills and experience. Make sure your CV features any relevant qualifications, such as certifications in machinery operation or production management, and don’t forget about any specific systems or software you’re familiar with. This can really set you apart!
Emphasise Teamwork and Communication:Working in manufacturing often means being part of a larger team. Highlight your experience in collaborative projects or environments where communication was key. Maybe you have experience with lean manufacturing principles? Talk about how you worked with your team to improve productivity and maintain quality.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Company:Don’t just recycle an old cover letter! Take the time to tailor your cover letter to Holt Engineering specifically. Mention what excites you about their production processes or products, and how your previous experiences can contribute to their goals. We want to see your enthusiasm for the role!
Use Concrete Examples of Your Achievements:When detailing your work experience, include measurable achievements that can demonstrate your impact. Whether it’s improving efficiency by a certain percentage or successfully leading a project, these specifics can make a huge difference. Numbers speak volumes in the manufacturing world!
How to prepare for a job interview at Holt Engineering
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Holt Engineering, brush up on the specific manufacturing processes relevant to the role. Understanding lean manufacturing principles or quality control techniques could give you a solid edge to discuss how you’d fit into their operations.
✨Technical Questions Are Key
Be prepared for technical questions around machinery, production scheduling, or materials handling. Make sure you can confidently explain how you've dealt with these in past experiences or internships. Knowing industry-specific software could also be a big plus!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Manufacturing environments often focus on continuous improvement. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you’ve solved a production issue or implemented a process improvement. It’s all about demonstrating your analytical thinking and hands-on approach.
✨Align Your Values with Quality and Safety
In a full-time role, companies like Holt Engineering value commitment to quality and safety. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise these factors in your work. It’s about showing that you’re not just looking for a job, but that you genuinely care about contributing positively to their production environment.
