Senior Process Engineer Location: Kettering Salary: £55,000-£60,000 Hours: Monday to Friday, 42.5-45 hours per week The Opportunity We are recruiting for a Senior Process Engineer to take the technical lead for machining within an established manufacturing business. This is a hands-on role covering the full process from customer drawings and quotations through to CNC programming, prove-out and stable production. You will manage two Machine Shop Supervisors and work closely with commercial, quality and maintenance teams. An immediate start is available, with a handover period from the current post-holder. The Role Reporting to the Managing Director and Operations Director, you will lead machining engineering, deliver new projects and improve existing processes, quality and productivity. Duties & Responsibilities Prepare machining quotations, including cycle times, tooling, fixtures, labour requirements and capacity analysis. Cost gauges, dedicated equipment and ancillary operations such as washing, pressure testing and painting. Interpret engineering drawings, specifications and GD&T requirements. Specify and procure hydraulic and manual workholding, fixtures, cutting tools and ancillary process equipment. Work with tooling suppliers to develop special-purpose, multi-function cutting tools. Produce tooling data, process layouts and drawings using 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software. Generate Fanuc-based ISO CNC programs manually and/or through CAM software, then prove out programs across different CNC control systems. Lead NPI and APQP activities, including timing plans, budgets, Control Plans, FMEAs and capability requirements. Resolve customer quality issues through root cause analysis and permanent 8D corrective actions. Interpret SPC capability results and CMM reports to improve cycle times, tool life, labour deployment and process capability. Support maintenance activities, repair costing and subcontractor liaison, and prepare capital investment recommendations. Candidate Requirements Essential: Proven machining process engineering experience. A quality-only or maintenance-only background will not meet the requirements of this role. Experience quoting and estimating machined parts, including cycle times, tooling, fixtures and labour. Working knowledge of engineering drawings and GD&T. Detailed understanding of hydraulic and manual workholding and fixture design. Experience selecting cutting tools and working with suppliers on special tooling. Competence in 2D and 3D CAD/CAM software. Ability to write Fanuc-based ISO G-code programs manually and/or using CAM. Hands-on experience proving out CNC programs across different machine control systems. NPI and APQP experience, including timing plans, Control Plans and FMEAs. Experience in root cause analysis, 8D corrective actions, SPC, capability and interpreting CMM results. Experience managing or supervising a machine shop team. Right to work in the UK. Desirable: Experience with aluminium castings, ideally low-pressure. Knowledge of washing, pressure testing and assembly equipment specification. Experience costing repairs and working with maintenance subcontractors. Exposure to capital investment recommendations and budgets. Full UK driving licence. Apply To apply for the Senior Process Engineer position, click Apply Now and upload your CV. A member of our recruitment team will be in touch to discuss your application and the next steps
Senior Process Engineer in Kettering employer: Optima UK Inc Ltd
Join a dynamic aerospace manufacturing business in Hinckley, where your role as a Production Controller will be pivotal in ensuring operational excellence. With a focus on employee growth and a collaborative work culture, we offer competitive pay and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Experience the unique advantage of working in a fast-paced industry while enjoying a balanced work schedule that promotes both productivity and well-being.
