Engineering expertise meets customer engagement, innovation and growth.
Are you an experienced engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, working directly with customers and turning technical problems into practical solutions?
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing specialist engineering business and play a key role in developing its presence across advanced manufacturing and UK defence, while remaining closely connected to engineering and manufacturing.
This is not a traditional sales role. Your technical credibility is at the heart of the position.
You’ll work with customers to understand requirements, review drawings and specifications, develop manufacturing solutions and support projects from initial enquiry through to delivery. Internally, you’ll work closely with engineering, production and purchasing teams to ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable and manufacturable.
Key responsibilities
- Build strong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
- Provide technical leadership during customer discussions and project development.
- Review drawings, specifications, CAD models and technical enquiries.
- Conduct DFM and manufacturing feasibility reviews.
- Support technical problem solving and investigations.
- Develop new opportunities across advanced manufacturing and defence.
- Prepare and support quotations, estimates and technical proposals.
- Assess manufacturing methods, risks, cost, lead time and resource requirements.
- Represent the business at industry events and networking activities.
About you
You’ll be an experienced Mechanical, Manufacturing or Production Engineer with strong knowledge of:
- CNC machining and precision manufacturing
- Fabrication and sheet-metal processes
- Electromechanical assembly
- Engineering drawings and GD&T
- Manufacturing methods and process planning
- CAD and associated models
You’ll also have experience dealing directly with customers and developing practical engineering solutions, ideally alongside preparing quotations or technical proposals.
We’re looking for someone who is commercially aware, confident, proactive and solutions-focused, someone who can move comfortably between customer meetings, engineering discussions and the manufacturing environment.
Experience in aerospace, defence, scientific instrumentation, JOSCAR, ERP/MRP or ISO 9001 would be advantageous.
Why this role?
You’ll have genuine autonomy, direct access to senior decision makers and the opportunity to influence both engineering and commercial direction.
You’ll be joining a specialist precision engineering environment working on technically demanding products and assemblies, while helping develop new opportunities within the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
If you're an engineer who wants greater variety, responsibility and visibility and enjoys combining technical expertise with customer engagement and business growth, this could be an excellent next step.
Principal Manufacturing Engineer
Advanced Manufacturing & Defence
Up to £80,000
Location: Dorking, Surrey
Engineering expertise meets customer engagement, innovation and growth.
Are you an experienced engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges, working directly with customers and turning technical problems into practical solutions?
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing specialist engineering business and play a key role in developing its presence across advanced manufacturing and UK defence, while remaining closely connected to engineering and manufacturing.
This is not a traditional sales role. Your technical credibility is at the heart of the position.
You’ll work with customers to understand requirements, review drawings and specifications, develop manufacturing solutions and support projects from initial enquiry through to delivery. Internally, you’ll work closely with engineering, production and purchasing teams to ensure solutions are technically sound, commercially viable and manufacturable.
Key responsibilities
- Build strong relationships with existing and prospective customers.
- Provide technical leadership during customer discussions and project development.
- Review drawings, specifications, CAD models and technical enquiries.
- Conduct DFM and manufacturing feasibility reviews.
- Support technical problem solving and investigations.
- Develop new opportunities across advanced manufacturing and defence.
- Prepare and support quotations, estimates and technical proposals.
- Assess manufacturing methods, risks, cost, lead time and resource requirements.
- Represent the business at industry events and networking activities.
- Support defence supply-chain engagement.
About you
You’ll be an experienced Mechanical, Manufacturing or Production Engineer with strong knowledge of:
- CNC machining and precision manufacturing
- Fabrication and sheet-metal processes
- Electromechanical assembly
- Engineering drawings and GD&T
- Manufacturing methods and process planning
- CAD and associated models
You’ll also have experience dealing directly with customers and developing practical engineering solutions, ideally alongside preparing quotations or technical proposals.
We’re looking for someone who is commercially aware, confident, proactive and solutions-focused, someone who can move comfortably between customer meetings, engineering discussions and the manufacturing environment.
Experience in aerospace, defence, scientific instrumentation, JOSCAR, ERP/MRP or ISO 9001 would be advantageous.
Why this role?
You’ll have genuine autonomy, direct access to senior decision makers and the opportunity to influence both engineering and commercial direction.
You’ll be joining a specialist precision engineering environment working on technically demanding products and assemblies, while helping develop new opportunities within the defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.
If you’re an engineer who wants greater variety, responsibility and visibility and enjoys combining technical expertise with customer engagement and business growth, this could be an excellent next step.
Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.
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Principal Manufacturing Engineer in Dorking employer: Morgan Ryder
Join a leading engineering business that values innovation and growth, offering a competitive salary and a range of benefits including a company EV, pension, and up to 5 weeks' holiday. With a strong focus on employee development, you will have the opportunity to build your own territory in the dynamic Aerospace and Defence sectors while enjoying a flexible home-based role that promotes autonomy and a supportive work culture. This is an excellent chance for those looking to advance their careers in technical sales with a reputable company committed to diversity and inclusion.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Manufacturing Engineer in Dorking
✨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 Morgan Ryder, 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 Morgan Ryder 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 Morgan Ryder
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Before you walk into the interview with Morgan Ryder, 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 Morgan Ryder 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.
