Engineering Manager in Coventry

Job Title: Engineering Manager
Location: Coventry, UK
Core Hours: 08:00-16:35 (Mon – Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri)
Vacancy Type: Full-time, Permanent and Site-based.
Salary: £57,500 - £65,000 (subject to experience) + Discretionary Bonus

JOB SUMMARY

At NP Aerospace, our Personal Armour products use advanced composite materials to deliver lightweight, combat-proven protection for people operating in some of the world's most demanding environments. From ballistic helmets and body armour plates to bomb disposal suits, our engineering solutions are designed where weight, strength and safety are critical.

We're looking for an Engineering Manager to lead and develop our Personal Armour Engineering team, taking ownership of engineering delivery across a portfolio of private venture and customer-funded projects. Combining technical leadership with people management and project oversight, you'll ensure robust designs, sound technical decisions and engineering deliverables are completed to the required standards and timescales.

Working closely with manufacturing, quality, procurement and programme teams, you'll translate complex requirements into practical, deliverable solutions while supporting the continued growth of our business. This is an opportunity to lead a talented engineering team and contribute to products that help improve and protect lives.

Does this sound like your kind of challenge? If so, keep reading!

WHAT YOU GET IN RETURN

At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:

• Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
• Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
• Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions
• Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
• Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
• Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
• Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose

THE ROLE

You'll provide technical leadership across the Personal Armour Engineering team, applying your understanding of mechanical engineering principles, technologies and industry developments to guide design decisions and resolve complex engineering challenges. You'll own engineering standards and procedures, support the wider design and engineering community, and take responsibility for signing off products and projects against internal and external requirements. You'll also champion innovation and bring a broader understanding of electronic and electrical systems design to the team.

A key part of your role will be leading and developing a team of approximately 6–10 project engineers. You'll provide direction, coaching and mentorship, set clear expectations and maintain high professional standards. Through regular performance reviews, goal setting and career development planning, you'll help individuals build their capabilities while creating a collaborative, accountable and high-performing engineering team.

You'll oversee the planning and delivery of engineering projects, ensuring work is completed within agreed scope, budgets and timescales. Working with Sales, Product Development, Quality Assurance, Manufacturing and other stakeholders, you'll coordinate resources, identify and mitigate risks, and ensure the team has the tools, equipment and training needed to succeed.

You'll also contribute to engineering budgets and cost control, identifying opportunities to improve processes and reduce operational costs. Supporting new business development, you'll help establish projected costs and resource requirements for technical solutions. Throughout delivery, you'll uphold quality standards, ensure compliance with relevant regulations and customer requirements, and communicate project progress, challenges and achievements clearly to internal and external stakeholders.

EXPERIENCE

We're looking for an experienced engineering professional who combines strong technical judgement with the ability to lead people, manage competing priorities and deliver complex engineering projects. You'll be confident making decisions, communicating with customers and senior stakeholders, and developing an engineering team to achieve high standards of technical performance.

Essential

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a similar discipline, or equivalent professional experience.

• Significant experience delivering design and development projects from inception through to launch within an engineer-to-order or similarly technical environment.

• Strong understanding of engineering drawings and design standards, ideally within automotive or defence applications.

• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).

• Familiarity with configuration control and engineering change management procedures.

• Ability to communicate technical information effectively to management teams, customers and other stakeholders.

• Experience of line management and/or team leadership within a technical delivery environment.

• Experience using AI tools, or a willingness to learn and apply AI in the role.

Desirable

• Chartered Engineer status.

• Experience compiling FMEA, DVP&R, SRD and Statements of Work (SoW).

• Experience in 3D CAD modelling and detailed design.

• Experience using PTC Creo, Simulate and Windchill PDM.

• Experience working with composite materials.

• Experience working to ballistic testing specifications.

• Composite manufacturing experience, including compression and autoclave moulding, machining, fabrication and assembly.

• Experience in electronic systems design and development.

• Experience managing project costs and delivery timescales.

• Knowledge of tooling design and Design for Manufacture (DfM).

Our team embraces modern technologies, including AI-assisted tools, to work smarter and deliver better results. Candidates should either have experience using AI tools or demonstrate a willingness to learn and apply them in their role.

ABILITY ASSESSMENT

As part of the interview process, you may be asked to deliver a short presentation on a relevant engineering topic. Full details and preparation guidance will be shared in advance of the final interview stage.

WHAT DO WE DO AT NP AEROSPACE?

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.

Our mission is to improve and protect lives, and our vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutions that solve our customers' complex challenges. Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedication form the bedrock of our culture.

Our extensive range of combat-proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next-generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations.

Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

Data Privacy: NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.

Please note: If successful, you will be required to sign the Official Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.