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- Tasks: Optimise manufacturing processes and lead teams to enhance production efficiency.
- Company: Established UK defence engineering specialist with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, half-day Fridays, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence engineering while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: HND or degree in Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering and experience in heavy fabrication.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for career growth and modern facilities.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
We're recruiting a Manufacturing Engineer for a long-established UK defence engineering specialist at their North West Engineering Centre of Excellence. You'll be supporting fabrication and heavy manufacturing operations, focusing on process improvement, build quality, and production efficiency for large-scale welded and fabricated assemblies used in military applications.
What you'll be doing:
- Optimising and standardising manufacturing processes for complex welded and fabricated assemblies
- Identifying opportunities to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and enhance tooling/fixture effectiveness
- Analysing quality trends and driving corrective and preventive actions
- Developing and managing structured improvement plans with measurable outcomes
- Leading cross-functional teams to embed lean practices and improve cost/delivery performance
- Supporting NPI activity with focus on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) in fabrication and welding
- Promoting continuous improvement using structured problem-solving tools (8D, CAPA)
- Ensuring compliance with EHS, manufacturing, and quality standards across fabrication processes
- Implementing containment and long-term corrective actions for process deviations
What you need:
- HND, Higher/Advanced Apprenticeship, or Degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering
- Proven manufacturing engineering background in technical, industrial, or heavy fabrication environment
- Experience with large-scale fabrications, welding processes, or heavy manufacturing flows
- Practical knowledge of lean tools and continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong problem-solving skills with hands-on, shop-floor-led approach
- Experience with SAP or other ERP systems (training available)
- Clear communicator able to collaborate across operational and engineering teams
What's on offer:
- £50,000 per annum
- 4% employee / 7% employer pension
- Half-day Fridays
- Life assurance and enhanced sick pay (rising with service)
- Wellbeing initiatives and Employee Assistance Programme
- Long service awards and additional holidays
- On-site parking and EV charging
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Modern, collaborative working environment
This is a permanent position with a long-established defence engineering specialist delivering highly engineered mechanical and structural systems for demanding military environments.
Manufacturing Engineer - Defence Fabrication in Stockport employer: Recruit Engineering
Contact Detail:
Recruit Engineering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Manufacturing Engineer - Defence Fabrication in Stockport
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the defence engineering field, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to manufacturing engineering. Focus on your experience with lean tools and continuous improvement methodologies, as these are key in this role. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! Be ready to discuss specific examples where you've improved processes or tackled challenges in fabrication. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Manufacturing Engineer - Defence Fabrication in Stockport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Manufacturing Engineer role. Highlight your experience in heavy fabrication and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in process improvement and lean methodologies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Use specific examples from your past experiences that align with the job description, especially around optimising manufacturing processes and leading teams.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: We love candidates who can demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities. Include examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles, particularly in manufacturing or engineering environments.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in the defence sector.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recruit Engineering
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes, especially in heavy fabrication and welding. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've optimised processes or improved production efficiency in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare to share concrete examples of how you've tackled challenges in a manufacturing environment. Use structured problem-solving tools like 8D or CAPA to illustrate your approach and the outcomes you achieved.
✨Lean Practices are Key
Familiarise yourself with lean methodologies and be prepared to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects. Highlight any experience leading cross-functional teams to embed these practices and improve performance.
✨Communicate Clearly
As a Manufacturing Engineer, you'll need to collaborate across teams. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you can convey complex technical information in an understandable way during the interview.