Senior Manufacturing Engineer / Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Be part of a team delivering the next generation of secure military communications satellites for the UK Ministry of Defence. This work provides resilient, high‑performance connectivity for the UK, its allies and Defence personnel worldwide, playing a critical role in protecting national security as space becomes more contested and demand for secure data continues to grow.

Joining Lockheed Martin also means helping to shape significant investment in the North East space sector, with more than £100 million proposed to support high‑skill jobs, advanced manufacturing and long‑term economic growth. Opportunities include potential satellite manufacturing in County Durham and collaboration with NESST – the North East Space Skills and Technology Centre at Northumbria University – helping to build a strong pipeline of talent, learning and innovation.

This is your chance to work on mission‑critical technology, develop cutting‑edge skills and build a meaningful career, while delivering lasting impact for the region and the nation.

The role will report to the Head of Assembly, Integration & Test (AIT), providing the opportunity to shape and optimise the Manufacturing Engineering Team from the ground up, eliminating all those problems you deal with in your current position. You will have the chance to hand pick your Manufacturing Engineering team and have the freedom to choose the best and the brightest from all industries to help grow the UK Space industry. We are seeking an enthusiastic self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced environment, with experience in the manufacture or assembly of precision equipment (high value, low volume) with the drive to strengthen your leadership experience by recruiting and managing your own team. Establishing a culture of Quality first as the key to achieving our Quality, Cost and Schedule targets.

This is an ideal opportunity to continue and enhance your career as a subject matter expert and grow into the role of Lead Manufacturing Engineering AIT.

• Lead the implementation of the new UK Space Manufacturing Execution System (MES) and the supporting digital tool set to enable space vehicle Assembly, Integration and Test.
• Produce the key processes and procedural documentation in support of the MES system use and new user training.
• Refine the manufacturing assembly instructions / work instructions to build a strong foundation for the Manufacturing Engineering team to excel.
• Interface with Design Engineering, Ground Support Equipment, Supply Chain, Programme Management, Finance and Business Operations and lead on all Manufacturing Engineering aspects.
• Support the Space vehicle Design for Manufacture, Design for Test (DfX), reviews to reduce risk and cost of all aspects of the AIT sequence.
• Recruit, Coach, manage and mentor a growing team to support the Manufacturing Engineering organisation in Lockheed Martin UK Space.
• Establish the UK Space AIT Engineering authority and become the Subject Matter Expert.
• Become the Assembly technical lead in delivering world class space vehicles from 3D models through to their launch into space.
• Logistic readiness and technical support (Road, Sea & Air transport of flight hardware).

The successful candidate will establish collaborative relationships across and beyond their own area of responsibility in order to maximise the business performance. They will provide technical team leadership and vision to the team working collaboratively with the customer and peer contractors. They must have exceptional written and verbal communication skills with key influencing abilities, documented leadership and demonstrate initiative. The successful candidate must achieve the appropriate level (SC) of security clearance.

• Significant experience as a Lead / Senior Manufacturing Engineer within the Space or Aerospace industry.
• Outstanding team player that possesses strong technical, leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to function in a matrix organisation managing inputs from multiple stakeholders/organisations.
• Self-motivated and able to work under limited supervision with the ability to function effectively in a rapidly changing environment.
• Experience with 3D CAD tools, to interrogate the Spacecraft model and determine the key requirements to support all aspects of Assembly, Integration, Test & Launch preparation.
• Experience with mechanical, electrical and software integration, and maintaining the “Digital Data Continuity”.
• Experience in defining schedule inputs, critical assembly sequences, defining task durations, risk management inputs, Lessons Learned management to achieve Lean Engineering solutions.
• Experience in work package management, financial control of Engineering work packages.
• Full end to end lifecycle management of the Design for X (Manufacturing, Assemble & Test) DfX of low volume, high value, highly regulated assemblies.
• A level of travel will be required to meet business needs (Passport and Driving License).

By bringing together people that use their passion for purposeful innovation, at Lockheed Martin we keep people safe and solve the world's most complex challenges. Our people are some of the greatest minds in the industry and truly make Lockheed Martin a great place to work. With our employees as our priority, we provide career opportunities designed to propel development and boost agility. Our flexible schedules, competitive pay, and comprehensive benefits enable our employees to live a healthy, fulfilling life at and outside of work.

At Lockheed Martin our employees come first and therefore your physical, mental and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, respectful environment you can expect so much more. We are an employer in support of and offering Flexible working with the option to also work a 4 day week depending on business requirements, where you have the option of Fridays off. We offer Competitive salaries alongside a flexible holiday entitlement. We have a Wealth of benefits available to you that can be selected through our wellbeing tool upon commencement of employment.