Chief of Manufacturing Engineering in Bristol

At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere. By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.

An exciting opportunity has arisen in Defence for the position of Chief of Manufacturing Engineering – Defence UK. This role reports directly to the Senior Vice President – Manufacturing Engineering and Operations Strategy, and is based in Bristol with occasional overseas travel required.

This role has technical accountability for the internal plants in Defence Bristol including OE & Development, MRO and Defence Manufacturing. Functionally accountable for the ME team in these facilities including the digital manufacturing activity across all of these plants.

What you will be doing:

• Integrate Manufacturing Engineering activity across the business throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead and coach technical problem resolution and technical improvement across the business.
• Lead the professionalism of the Manufacturing Engineering community within domestic facilities.
• Technical Authority for the business, accountable for the Method of Manufacture and compliance to Design Intent for all commodities or products owned by the business across the total supply chain.
• Ensure methods of manufacture and MRO / Repair processes within the business are capable of meeting and continuing to meet requirements for quality, cost, delivery rate and lead time. Tools, such as IPPR/APQP, should be used as appropriate.
• Control manufacturing process change within the business.
• Subject to appropriate delegation, chair the Control Authorities governing change for all commodities or products owned by the business across the internal and external supply chain.
• Ensure alignment of Aftermarket, Manufacturing and Supply Chain strategies.
• Lead the technical activities associated with product transfers into and out of the internal facilities.
• Deliver Digital Manufacturing activities and deploy digital capability projects into the business.
• Work with the Manufacturing Engineering Commodity Leaders and Manufacturing Process Owners, driving manufacturing processes towards identified consistent best practice methodologies.
• Lead technical problem resolution and technical improvement activities and promote a zero defects culture.
• Coach the community in the use of RRPS and DMAIC tools.
• Lead the professionalism of the Manufacturing Engineering community, including flow down of Man Eng business processes and audit of compliance with those processes.
• Lead technical problem resolution and technical improvement activities in line with business SQCDP targets.
• Coach and develop the technical leaders in the business, being a talent scout for the technical organisation.

Position qualifications:

• Graduate Engineer or suitable industrial equivalence.
• Has provided technical and professional leadership to a community of Engineers.
• Has led projects/activities across a range of Manufacturing Engineering Processes.
• Has developed and deployed extensive personal and professional networks.
• Has practical experience of manufacturing change such as facility re-design, facility move, technology acquisition, new project introduction, process revalidation, process capability improvement etc.
• Ability to lead on projects/activities across a range of Manufacturing Engineering processes.
• Experience of manufacturing change such as facility re-design, facility move, technology insertion, new product introduction, process revalidation, quality improvement.
• Knowledge or experience of working in a Part 145 environment is beneficial but not essential.

Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and the salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.

Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.

Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.

Grade: Management level B

For further information please contact: Lizzie Moore - Job Category Manufacturing Engineering

Posting Date 29 Jan 2026; 00:01

Posting End Date 04 Feb 2026