Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Aerospace Production Leader in Swindon

Are you ready to revolutionise the world with TEKEVER? At TEKEVER, we lead innovation in Europe as the European leader in unmanned technology, where cutting‑edge advancements meet unparalleled innovation. We operate across four strategic areas, combining artificial intelligence, systems engineering, data science, and aerospace technology to tackle global challenges — from protecting people and critical infrastructure to exploring space. We offer a unique surveillance‑as‑a‑service solution that delivers real‑time intelligence, enhancing maritime safety and saving lives. Our products and services support strategic and operational decisions in the most demanding environments — whether at sea, on land, in space, or in cyberspace. Become part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and mission‑driven team that is transforming maritime surveillance and redefining global safety standards.

The Role: This is a rare opportunity to join a high‑growth Defence manufacturer at the point of standing up its UK production capability. As Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will be one of the first engineers on the ground in Swindon and will be a driving force in shaping the processes, standards and ways of working that every aircraft built in the UK will depend on. You will own the technical definition and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes for the AR3, AR3 EVO and AR5 platforms, from raw material through to flight‑ready aircraft. A significant early focus will be supporting the structured transfer of established build processes from TEKEVER's Portugal site into the Swindon facility through capturing, validating and translating existing knowledge into a controlled, UK‑based production system. You will spend the majority of your time on the shop floor. You will be the technical authority for your area working directly with operators and technicians, resolving production issues, leading improvement projects and driving the standard of everything your area produces. You will be the bridge between Product Engineering, Production, Quality and Supply Chain. You will act as a technical leader within the Manufacturing Engineering function, driving manufacturing excellence, influencing cross‑functional decision‑making and elevating engineering standards through expertise, judgement and execution.

Key Responsibilities:

• Process design and industrialisation: Design, document and prove out manufacturing processes for electronic, mechanical and integrated assemblies. Lead the tech transfer of established AR3 and AR5 build processes from TEKEVER Portugal into the Swindon cells. Take products from prototype and low‑rate production into volume manufacture in partnership with Product Engineering and the relevant production cell. Produce clear, controlled work instructions, routings and standard work; own their accuracy and ensure they are followed and kept up to date. Carry out time studies, line balancing and capacity analysis to support production planning and ramp.
• Tooling, fixtures and equipment: Specify, design and commission tooling, fixtures, jigs and test rigs to deliver target quality, takt time and ergonomics. Own the qualification and maintenance regime for tooling and equipment in your area. Support equipment selection and commissioning during cell setup.
• New Product Introduction: Provide the manufacturing voice in design reviews; drive Design for Manufacture, Design for Assembly and Design for Test feedback into Product Engineering. Lead production‑readiness work for new builds and variants: tooling, fixtures, test equipment, work instructions, training and capacity.
• Process control and quality: Build and maintain process control plans, PFMEAs and control charts for assigned processes. Lead root cause analysis and corrective action on production issues, non‑conformances and field returns. Drive measurable improvement in first‑pass yield, scrap, rework and defect rates. Ensure all processes comply with AS9100, IPC and applicable customer specifications.
• Continuous improvement: Identify and lead structured improvement projects across safety, quality, throughput, lead time, ergonomics and cost. Apply Lean tools — 5S, standard work, value stream mapping, Kaizen, structured problem solving — as the default way of working. Use shop‑floor data, MES outputs and quality data to drive decisions.
• Change management: Manage engineering changes through to the shop floor: assess impact, update routings and work instructions, plan cut‑in, brief the team. Maintain accurate process documentation in the controlled environment.

Essential qualifications:

• Demonstrable experience as a Manufacturing Engineer (or equivalent - Process Engineer, Production Engineer, NPI Engineer) in a regulated, engineered‑product environment such as aerospace, defence, automotive, medical devices, complex electronics or similar.
• A proven track record of designing, documenting and proving out manufacturing processes on the shop floor.
• Practical experience with at least one of: electronics assembly (SMT, through‑hole, harness), mechanical assembly, composites, or final integration and test of complex products.
• Confident with tooling and fixture design, time studies, line balancing and capacity planning.
• Solid, applied grounding in Lean and continuous improvement — 5S, standard work, value stream mapping, structured problem solving, PFMEA.
• Strong working knowledge of a regulated quality system (AS9100, ISO 9001 or equivalent) and a relevant workmanship standard (IPC‑A‑610, IPC/WHMA_A_620 or equivalent).
• Comfortable with CAD, ERP/MES systems and PLM data.
• Effective on the shop floor — builds trust with operators and technicians quickly, communicates clearly, and gets things changed.
• Self‑directed and comfortable operating with ambiguity — able to define the work, not just execute it.
• Eligible for UK SC clearance; BPSS eligible from day one.

Desirable qualifications:

• Direct experience in UAS, avionics, aerospace structures or aerospace integration and test.
• Experience supporting tech transfer between manufacturing sites.
• Experience commissioning a new production facility, cell or line from standing start.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or above.
• Engineering qualification (HNC/HND/Degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Electronics, Aerospace or related discipline) or equivalent demonstrated experience.

What we have to offer you:

• An excellent work environment and an opportunity to make a difference.
• Salary commensurate with level of experience.
• Company pension contribution matched up to 10%.
• 25 days annual holiday + 8 Bank holidays.
• Medical Insurance.
• Dental Insurance.
• Salary sacrifice initiatives (EV Scheme, Cycle 2 Work, Tech Scheme).
• Discretionary annual company bonus.

TEKEVER is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All offers are conditional on successful pre‑employment screening, including UK security clearance where required.