Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and optimise manufacturing processes in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Join a pioneering aerospace and defence manufacturing company.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, career growth, and hands-on experience.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-tech industry with innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in manufacturing engineering and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
A Lead Manufacturing Engineer is required to join an Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing and Engineering company at the forefront of aerospace forging, machining, and assembly, producing an extensive range of products and components. The successful Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be an experienced and proactive Manufacturing Engineer, and this critical role will focus on optimizing current manufacturing processes, improving product quality and production efficiency. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be supporting the successful industrialisation of New Product Introductions (NPI) into production and will lead the manufacturing engineering for one of the business units. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be working closely with crossâfunctional teams including design engineering, production, quality, and supply chain to ensure the manufacturing processes are stable, capable, and continuously improving to meet the high standards expected in the aerospace and defence industry.
Lead Manufacturing Engineer Responsibilities
- Lead the prioritisation and allocation of manufacturing engineering activities
- Analyse, develop, and optimise manufacturing processes to maximise quality and efficiency
- Drive strong process control and process capability across all manufacturing operations
- Apply Lean Manufacturing and industrial engineering optimisation techniques
- Lead and deliver continuous improvement initiatives targeting quality improvements
- Support and execute the industrialisation of New Product Introductions (NPI)
- Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure manufacturability and DFMA
- Apply APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) to ensure product/process readiness
- Lead the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) to verify product designs
- Identify, propose, and implement process improvement and technology upgrades
- Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, applying structured root cause analysis (RCA)
- Define, document, and maintain robust manufacturing process controls including SOPs
- Develop and validate manufacturing tooling, jigs, fixtures, gauging, and other systems
- Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with aerospace and defence quality standards
- Support production teams by providing training on new processes and operational practices
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as yield, scrap, RFT, and throughput
- Contribute to investment projects related to new capabilities, equipment modernisation, etc.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience Required
- Demonstrable engineering team leadership experience in an industrial environment
- Engineering experience with good understanding of the associated tools/techniques
- Extensive practical experience in an industrial forging, machining, fabrication, or similar role
- Degree or HND in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or similar
- Strong understanding of process control and process capability
- Experience with statistical tools to validate and monitor production stability
- Demonstrated experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality
- Significant experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and 8D/DMAIC problemâsolving
- Proficient in interpreting complex engineering drawings and GD&T
- Experience with validation, PFMEA, control plans, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Lean Manufacturing and industrial optimisation and value stream mapping experience
- Good working knowledge of aerospace quality standards (e.g., AS9100)
- Excellent analytical, problemâsolving, and project management skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skill and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
- Experience with ERP systems and knowledge of forging, heat/surface treatments, machining
- Security Clearance (SC) may be required
Lead Manufacturing Eng : Aerospace and Defence in Birmingham employer: TipTopJob
Contact Detail:
TipTopJob Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Lead Manufacturing Eng : Aerospace and Defence in Birmingham
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or attend local aerospace and defence events. We all know that sometimes itâs not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
â¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to manufacturing engineering. We suggest you also brush up on your knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and APQP processes, as these are hot topics in the aerospace sector.
â¨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific projects where you improved processes or quality. We want to see how youâve made a difference in your previous roles.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Manufacturing Eng : Aerospace and Defence in Birmingham
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Manufacturing Engineer role. Highlight your experience in aerospace and defence, focusing on relevant skills like process optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives. We want to see how your background aligns with what we do!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about manufacturing engineering in the aerospace sector. Share specific examples of how you've led projects or improved processes in previous roles â we love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Donât forget to highlight your technical skills that are relevant to the job description, like APQP, PPAP, and Lean Manufacturing techniques. Weâre looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know youâve got the chops!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you donât miss out on any important updates. Plus, itâs super easy â just a few clicks and youâre done!
How to prepare for a job interview at TipTopJob
â¨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of aerospace manufacturing processes, especially those related to forging and machining. Familiarise yourself with key concepts like Lean Manufacturing, APQP, and PPAP, as these will likely come up during the interview.
â¨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Manufacturing Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead teams effectively. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led projects or initiatives, particularly those that resulted in process improvements or quality enhancements.
â¨Be Ready for Problem-Solving Questions
Expect to tackle some scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about specific challenges you've faced in manufacturing and how you applied root cause analysis to resolve them. This will show your analytical capabilities and practical experience.
â¨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about their current manufacturing processes and challenges. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also gives you a chance to demonstrate your knowledge of industry standards and practices.