Production Engineering Manager

Oxford Nanopore Technologies aims to bring the widest benefits to society through enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information-rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology of humans and diseases such as cancer, plants, animals, bacteria, viruses, and whole environments.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to join our engineering team as a Production Engineering Manager to work on the world's first and only nanopore DNA sequencer. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about new technology.

Job Summary

To guide and manage manufacturing engineering projects to deliver reliable and scalable manufacturing, introduce new capabilities, and maintain high standards of quality, safety, and compliance. The individual will focus on strategy implementation, process performance, and facilitating success of Engineering project objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate the development of internal and external production processes within recognised quality systems.
• Establish and maintain production processes and quality for new products and improvements to existing products.
• Develop and implement measures that improve product quality (yield improvement, complaint reduction) and drive cost savings (labour, material, and overhead).
• Regularly monitor and report project status across multiple levels of the organisation.

Duties

• Provide manufacturing engineering support and project management to the production engineering project team.
• Coordinate transfer of new products into manufacturing considering manufacturability and efficiency of processes.
• Collate and interpret data to ensure the manufacturing processes are effectively maintained to achieve consistently high yields.
• Identify production problems/deficiencies and use a methodical system to solve these.
• Manage, create, and maintain controlled documentation such as Process Flows, Component specifications, Process Routers, Bills of Materials, Work and Inspection Instructions.
• Optimise the manufacturing processes - improving efficiencies, reducing wastage, enhancing yield and reducing cost.
• Collaborate across multiple functions, working with R&D, TT, Design Engineering, to implement new products and processes in a timely manner, reporting progress and status along the way.
• Manufacturing and development support for existing processes and for new products, product changes, line extensions and enhancements.
• Co-ordinate and schedule project team members to meet planned time scales and offer status updates.
• Responsible for implementation and qualification of new or modified manufacturing and test equipment to achieve specified requirements and implementation dates.
• Prepare and maintain documentation requirements to support and control manufacturing processes.
• Support company goals and objectives, policies and procedures and regulatory requirements.
• Any other duties as might be required within the remit and responsibilities of the post.

What We're Looking For

• Degree in mechanical engineering or a similar subject and apprenticeship trained with significant relevant industrial experience.
• Background of production engineering within a highly regulated industry such as medical or aerospace and experience in manual cell manufacturing where lean initiatives have been practised.
• Manufacturing Engineering professional with a proven ability to lead complex projects from concept through to scalable production.
• Experience in implementing robust manufacturing strategies, introducing new capabilities, and optimising processes to deliver high-quality cost-effective outcomes.
• Skilled in cross-functional collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Adept at managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery, and maintaining clear communication across all organisational levels.
• Experience with automating and semi-automating processes for medical products.
• Experience in establishing and validating pilot production lines as well as performing FMEAs, verifications and validations for medical devices products and processes.
• Strong communication with excellent writing skills enabling you to create detailed specifications, processes and manufacturing documentation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Applications including Project, Excel and Visio. Competency in SolidWorks would also be advantageous.

Benefits

• Attractive bonus
• Generous pension contributions
• Private healthcare
• Excellent starting salary

Please note that no terminology in this advert is intended to discriminate on the grounds of a person's gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability or sexual orientation. Every candidate will be assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the duties of the job.