Manufacturing Engineer in London

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace, space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated 31.3 billion in revenue in 2025.

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for supporting the development, industrialisation and optimisation of manufacturing processes within a specific domain or module. The role provides day to day technical support to Operations, contributes to problem solving and process improvements, and ensures processes, documentation and equipment support safe, repeatable and cost effective production.

The position plays a key role in maintaining process control, supporting continuous improvement activities, and ensuring compliance with internal, customer and regulatory requirements:

• Be the technical focal point (Manufacturing) for Operations, resolving process issues, non‑conformances, and bottlenecks.
• Create and maintain process documentation (work instructions, routings, PFMEAs, control plans, factory layout drawings etc).
• Develop, industrialise, optimise and control manufacturing processes to ensure safe, repeatable, and cost‑effective production.
• Drive root‑cause analysis and corrective actions using structured problem‑solving methodologies (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
• Specify rework instructions aligned with technical requirements.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness for new equipment, tooling, and factory layouts, including capability and validation studies.
• Tooling management for production including specifying tools, maintaining assets and registries.

Leadership & Collaboration:

• Act as the technical point of contact between Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Programme teams relating to manufacturing processes.
• Lead the introduction of design & process changes into production for in‑service products.
• Facilitate cross-functional reviews to align requirements, constraints and capability.
• Represent Manufacturing Engineering in programme meetings, readiness reviews, and customer interactions when required.

Governance & Standards:

• Ensure compliance with aerospace, regulatory, and internal standards (AS9100, HSE, Safran standards).
• Maintain process governance through controlled documentation and change management.
• Lead QRQC and MRB technical investigations; ensure timely decisions and close‑out actions.
• Change Management Approval: Approve design changes and raise concessions, permits, PRs.
• Conduct gauge R&R studies.
• Support adherence to Production System standards (standard work, 5S, PPS, A3).
• Conduct and act upon ergonomic reviews and risk assessment.

Innovation & CI (Continuous Improvement):

• Identify opportunities to eliminate waste and improve quality using Lean and Six Sigma tools.
• Champion CI initiatives (5S, Kaizen, layout optimisation, flow).
• Collect data and track trends.
• Run small CI projects to improve FTQR, reduce build times and remove waste.

Financial Accountability:

• Support cost‑reduction through process efficiency and waste elimination.
• Track performance via KPIs; inform make/buy, investment proposals, and CoNQ reduction.

Risk & Readiness:

• Conduct risk assessments for new and existing processes (PFMEA, Control Plan, safety).
• Conduct Production Readiness Reviews; ensure stakeholder engagement and completion of actions.
• Ensure process capability and stability (SPC, capability studies).
• Identify vulnerabilities and develop mitigation plans.
• Drive risk reduction actions from ergonomic reviews and assessments.

People Management (if applicable to level):

• Support operator and cell leader training on new processes or equipment.
• Promote culture of safety, accountability and continuous learning.
• Participate in competency assessments and skills planning.
• Maintain rigorous process governance through controlled documentation, configuration management, and change management.
• Through QRQC (Quick Response Quality Control) and MRB (Material Review Board) - Provide specialist level support and decision making.
• Conduct process audits and ensure adherence to defined manufacturing methods.

Candidate skills & requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial, or related engineering field.
• Demonstrable experience in manufacturing engineering, ideally in a regulated industry.
• Proficiency in CAD, CAM, and process simulation tools.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
• Experience with ERP/MRP/MES systems and manufacturing documentation (e.g., BOMs, routers).
• Proven project management skills.
• Experience of working within a complex and dynamic component manufacturing engineering environment with NPI and or continuous improvement experience preferred.
• Recognised within technical field.
• Experience of deploying APQP standards and tools.
• Experience of assembly manufacturing processes.
• Experience of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic products.
• Experience of reading engineering drawings and understanding GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in mechanical, electronics or production engineering.
• Good analytical approach to problem solving.
• Ability to plan and prioritise work effectively to completion.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels.
• Proven experience in leading technical support team, product investigations and engaging with multi-functional problem-solving workshops.
• Approachable and able to build team engagement.
• Energetic, strong influencer, pragmatic and results driven.
• Able to think strategically and see the bigger picture.
• Ability to build strong relationships with team members, stakeholders and customers (internal / external).
• An ability to produce concise reports and effective presentations.
• Computer Literate (MS Office).
• Must be able to lead and work effectively with a multi-disciplined team to tight deadlines.
• Ability to understand, read and write English.

Job location: Europe, UK, England, London, City (-ies) Pitstone.