At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development and optimisation of lifesaving manufacturing processes.
- Company: Join the RNLI, 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 diverse team committed to excellence and innovation.
- 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.
Salary: £42,479 - £49,976 per annum (dependent on experience)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full Time
Location: Poole, Dorset, England
Interview Date: Week of 15th June (TBC)
Closing Date: 07-06-2026
Reference: 21564
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
- Life assurance
- Health and dental cashplan
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 practices, 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 a 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.
Safeguarding
The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out, dependent on the eligibility of the role.
Diversity at the RNLI
Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.
Senior Manufacturing Engineer - NPI & Production Transfer in Poole employer: RNLI
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to lifesaving efforts while working in a collaborative and innovative environment in Poole, Dorset. With a strong focus on employee growth, RNLI provides comprehensive benefits including flexible working options, performance-related pay, and a commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that every team member can thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in shaping the future of lifeboat manufacturing and be part of a mission-driven organisation that values diversity and inclusivity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Manufacturing Engineer - NPI & Production Transfer in Poole
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the RNLI and its mission! Research their values and recent projects, especially around the manufacturing transformation. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their lifesaving team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former RNLI employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application process. Personal connections can give you insights that you won't find anywhere else.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about how your experience aligns with the role of Senior Manufacturing Engineer. Be ready to discuss specific examples of your past work, especially around NPI and process validation, to demonstrate your expertise.
✨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 that you’re serious about joining the RNLI and contributing to their mission of saving lives at sea.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Manufacturing Engineer - NPI & Production Transfer 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, NPI, 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 and how your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. Don’t forget to mention your experience in leading cross-functional teams and continuous improvement initiatives.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Be sure to highlight your technical expertise in manufacturing methods, tooling, and process validation. We’re looking for someone who can act as a senior technical authority, so don’t hold back on showcasing your knowledge of Lean/CI tools and digital manufacturing!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at the RNLI!
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 low-volume technical manufacturing. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've developed or optimised these processes in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead cross-functional projects. Prepare to share experiences where you've successfully led teams or initiatives, particularly in New Product Introduction (NPI) and process validation activities.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Lean Tools
Since the role requires a strong understanding of Lean/Continuous Improvement tools, be prepared to discuss how you've applied techniques like Standardised Work and 6S in past projects. Have concrete examples ready to illustrate your problem-solving skills.
✨Align with RNLI Values
The RNLI values are crucial to their mission. Familiarise yourself with these values—trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable—and think about how your personal values align with them. Be ready to express this alignment during your interview.
