At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise manufacturing processes for lifesaving assets at RNLI.
- Company: Join the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, 26 days leave, and health benefits.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative journey in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in lifeboat manufacturing and help save lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing engineering and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 42479 - 49976 € per year.
About us
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution is a charity that provides, on call, a 24-hour lifeboat search and rescue service and a seasonal lifeguard service. Our lifeboat crews and lifeguards need a dedicated, professional, and talented team behind them. The RNLI is undergoing a significant transformation as part of its industrial strategy. This includes the closure of the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes and the transfer of its work to the All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole. This role will play a key part in delivering this transition, ensuring a safe, effective and timely transfer of production capability by the end of 2027.
Some of the benefits:
- £42,479 to £49,976 (dependent on experience)
- Performance related pay scheme annually reviewed
- 26 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays
- Time off in lieu available
- Flexible working opportunities
- Competitive pension scheme
- Life assurance
- Health and dental cash plan
Your Role
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a key role in ensuring RNLI has the manufacturing capability, processes and standards required to safely and consistently build lifesaving assets across all production sites. You will lead the development, validation and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, ensuring they are robust, repeatable and aligned to design intent. A significant part of your role will involve leading manufacturing engineering activity for Production transfer, New Product Introduction (NPI) and major design changes, ensuring production readiness and successful transition into build. You will act as a senior technical authority for manufacturing methods, working closely with Engineering, Production and Quality teams to ensure manufacturability, efficiency and compliance.
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will:
- Lead the development and optimisation of manufacturing processes across RNLI production facilities
- Own manufacturing readiness for NPI, including process design, validation and production sign-off
- Develop and maintain standardised manufacturing methods, process documentation, and Bills of Process
- Design and specify tooling, fixtures and equipment to support safe and efficient build
- Lead complex problem-solving activities related to manufacturing and process performance
- Drive cross-site Continuous Improvement initiatives to improve flow, quality and productivity
- Assess manufacturing capability, capacity and process performance, identifying opportunities for improvement and investment
- Ensure effective implementation of engineering changes from a manufacturing perspective
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to engineers and production teams
- Support the development of manufacturing standards, best practice and future capability across the RNLI
About you
You’ll be a technically strong and collaborative engineer who enjoys developing and improving manufacturing processes, coaching others and leading cross-site initiatives. To be considered as Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you will need:
- Significant experience in a manufacturing or process engineering role, ideally involving composite structures, marine products or low-volume technical manufacturing.
- Strong experience developing manufacturing processes, tooling, verification activities and process documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead manufacturing engineering tasks and cross-functional projects.
- Proven competence in Lean/CI tools, including Standardised Work, 6S, flow mapping, and structured problem solving.
- Experience leading NPI and manufacturing process validation activities.
- Knowledge of digital manufacturing tools, CAD/CAM, ERP systems and manufacturing data models.
- Experience in leading or mentoring engineering teams.
You will have excellent communication skills, a proactive mindset, and the confidence to act as a subject matter expert for manufacturing engineering within a multi-disciplinary environment. Join us in shaping the future of lifeboat manufacturing and help save lives at sea.
Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Poole employer: RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to a vital mission of saving lives at sea. With a strong focus on employee development, RNLI provides competitive benefits including flexible working options, a performance-related pay scheme, and a supportive work culture that encourages innovation and continuous improvement. As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Poole, you will be at the forefront of transforming manufacturing processes while enjoying a collaborative environment that values your expertise and fosters professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Poole
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current RNLI employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching RNLI’s recent projects and challenges. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for their mission and how your skills can help them transition smoothly.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to manufacturing processes during interviews. We want to see how you think on your feet and approach complex issues.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the RNLI team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manufacturing Engineer in Poole
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Manufacturing Engineer role. Highlight your experience with manufacturing processes, tooling, and any relevant projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the RNLI's mission and how your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements rather than just listing duties. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We’re keen to see how you’ve driven improvements and led initiatives!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at RNLI
✨Know Your Manufacturing Processes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of manufacturing processes, especially those related to composite structures and marine products. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've developed or optimised these processes.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and projects. Prepare to share instances where you've successfully led cross-functional initiatives or mentored junior engineers, highlighting the impact of your leadership.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Lean/CI Tools
Since the RNLI values continuous improvement, be prepared to discuss your experience with Lean and CI tools. Bring examples of how you've implemented Standardised Work, 6S, or structured problem-solving techniques to improve manufacturing efficiency.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the RNLI's current manufacturing challenges or their vision for future capabilities. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
