Lead Manufacturing Engineer - NPI

Are you an Engineer who enjoys solving undefined problems, testing ideas quickly, and working collaboratively within a small, highly capable team? Are you comfortable operating without fully established processes and motivated by the opportunity to directly influence both product development and the future manufacturing strategy and processes of the company? If this sounds like you then please keep reading.

Redline Group is exclusively partnered with an innovative deep-tech start-up developing next-generation power technology. They are looking to appoint a Lead Manufacturing Engineer as the organisation is transitioning from advanced R&D into early-stage commercialisation.

Backed by high-profile UK investors and founded by a highly accomplished technical team, the business is developing breakthrough systems with applications across sectors such as AI infrastructure, grid technology, renewable energy and advanced industrial systems. This is a rare opportunity to join at a genuinely formative stage, where you will play a key role in shaping how novel products are designed, assembled and scaled into manufacture.

The Role

As Lead Manufacturing Engineer, you will take ownership of manufacturing development activities from early concept through to prototype and low-volume production. Working within a highly collaborative engineering environment, you will help define manufacturing strategy, assembly processes, tooling and automation solutions for first-generation products. This role would suit someone who thrives in hands-on engineering environments, and is motivated by building processes and systems from the ground up rather than optimising mature production lines.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing manufacturing and assembly processes for advanced electronic products
• Supporting the transition from R&D prototype builds into commercial-ready production
• Designing and implementing low-volume automation and robotic assembly solutions
• Working closely with design engineers on Design for Manufacture (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA)
• Evaluating manufacturing methods including adhesives, sealing technologies, tooling and precision assembly techniques
• Supporting product validation, testing and certification activities
• Working with external suppliers and manufacturing partners including PCB/PCBA suppliers and precision engineering companies
• Establishing manufacturing documentation, quality processes and scalable production methodologies
• Supporting longer-term manufacturing scale-up strategy as the company grows

Key Skills & Experience Required

The successful candidate will likely demonstrate:

• Degree qualified in Engineering or a related discipline
• Experience within advanced manufacturing, precision engineering, power electronics, aerospace, defence, medical devices or similar high-reliability sectors
• Proven experience taking products from concept/prototype into production
• Strong hands-on engineering capability with the ability to problem solve in fast-moving environments
• Experience developing manufacturing processes, tooling or automation systems
• Knowledge of robotic systems or small-scale automation equipment
• Strong understanding of DfM and DfA principles
• Experience working with suppliers and subcontract manufacturers
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced start-up or low-volume manufacturing environment

Why Apply?

• Opportunity to join a well-funded deep-tech start-up at a pivotal stage
• Significant technical ownership and influence from day one
• Equity/share options available
• Strong progression opportunities as the company scales
• Opportunity to work on genuinely cutting-edge technology
• Collaborative, highly technical engineering environment
• Long-term opportunity to shape manufacturing strategy and operations

This role is based onsite in Oxfordshire and is not able to support sponsorship.