Bridge Systems Manufacturing Engineer in Stockport

We are currently looking for a Bridge Systems Manufacturing Engineer.

A little about us: With over a century of engineering expertise and innovation, KNDS UK is a renowned world leader in rapidly deployable military bridging systems and a key partner in the UK MoD’s Boxer armoured vehicle programme. We are proud of our heritage and our reputation of providing the highest quality engineering solutions for over 100 years. As a trusted partner to military customers around the world, our employees are the very heart of our company. We have a skilled and experienced workforce dedicated to achieving excellence in all areas of the business from Engineering to Project Management, Business Support to Operations.

As our business evolves, we are looking to strengthen our workforce with talented and motivated individuals across a range of disciplines to work from our Northwest Engineering Centre of Excellence and currently have this opportunity available:

About the role: The primary purpose of this role is to develop / implement improvements to manufacturing processes and to drive continuous improvement, consistency of product quality / delivery, and support large capital investment projects across Bridges while supporting Boxer areas when required.

Key duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and deploy revised factory layouts optimising flow, minimising waste while maintaining flexibility and safety.
• ‘Hands on’ Engineer, present on the shop floor, to provide Manufacturing Engineering solutions to support the build process.
• To develop timely, robust practical solutions for build / quality issues in fabrication and vehicle assembly environments.
• Explore the business case for process automation where applicable, for repeatability, efficiency, and quality improvements.
• Develop processes to improve dimensional stability from effective jigging / fixture / alignment.
• Continuously drive efficiency improvements that reduce the build hours/product.
• Lead, develop and implement quality manufacturing improvement programmes across area of responsibility.
• Implement a client-driven, operational improvement culture to shop floor.
• Coordinate cross functional team activities to optimise cost performance of the plant through capital investment programmes, optimising operating standards and minimising waste through the development of a continuous improvement culture encompassing lean principles.
• Support and lead structured problem solving and process improvement activities.
• Provide design for manufacturing input at early stages in the new product development process.
• Support project management in cross functional activity required for project execution.
• Ensure that Environmental, Health and Safety, manufacturing and quality standards and procedures are adhered to.
• Write and maintain standard operating procedures.

What we’re looking for: Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Ideally be educated to Bachelor level or equivalent, in Mechanical Engineering discipline.
• HND, or an Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering.
• Autocad or similar 2D drafting packaging.
• Technical skill set developed in complex engineering environments.
• Successful history of manufacturing excellence.
• Experience in a similar role within an industrial or technical environment.
• Operating in complex organisations.
• Planning experience using SAP and ideally trained in SAP.
• Structuring BOMs from Drawing to Manufacture.
• 3D CAD knowledge an advantage.
• Experience introducing automation with demonstrable experience in introducing large capital projects.
• Knowledge of welding aluminium and ferrous metals.
• Experience leading practical problem-solving teams and methodologies.
• Experience working with research organisations such as the Welding Institute.
• Jig and Fixture design and procurement.
• Ability to read, interpret and critique welding drawings and GD&T.
• Ability to analyse process data to drive improvements (cycle and tact RFT etc.).
• Practical knowledge of relevant H&SE regulations.
• Up to date with the latest advancements in fabrication technology.
• Computer literate.

Why you should join us: When you become part of the KNDS UK team, you will enjoy employee benefits such as:

• Competitive salary.
• Attractive pension (4% employee contribution, 7% employer contribution).
• Half-day Friday.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Company sick pay scheme which increases with service.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Additional Holidays & other Long Service rewards.
• Wellbeing initiatives, such as Free Fruit on Tuesday’s.
• Cycle to work Scheme.
• Free on-site car parking.
• On-site electric vehicle charging points.

We’re also very proud to be part of the Armed Forces Covenant since 2018, achieving their Silver Award in 2020 and Gold Award in 2024. We actively support and encourage service leavers, reservists and cadets to join our team, recognising military skills and qualifications in our recruitment and selection process.

If you are passionate about Manufacturing Engineering and eager to contribute to a thriving workplace environment, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. We look forward to receiving your application!

Recruiters please note that we have a list of approved recruitment agency partners in place and we will contact agencies directly should we require support. Any unsolicited CV’s received via an agency will be accepted with thanks but without fee.