Manufacturing Engineer in Cheltenham

We are Ultra Precision Control Systems (Ultra PCS), a leading developer of mission and safety critical equipment in the defence and aerospace industry. Our team of experts are at the heart of our success, which is why we are dedicated to fostering a safe working environment and a positive culture where every staff member feels valued and respected. We solve our customers' problems, providing engineering solutions to safety and mission critical challenges in the air and on the ground. Our solutions can be found in the latest military aircraft and vehicles, in civil aircraft, and in unmanned vehicles. We help to ensure our customers get to where they need to be safely, achieve their objectives and keep on going back.

Flexible Working

Wherever possible, we will consider a variety of working options to suit your lifestyle, whether that be hybrid home/office working, flexible working and part or full time employment. It’s the 'innovating' and 'empowering' values that we ASPIRE to be. We welcome the challenge to work in new ways and have trust in you when getting the job done because we recognise, our business is our people.

Job Description

Ultra Precision Control Systems are looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to lead, manage and execute key activities that contribute to product delivery, process improvements and RCCA internally and in the supply chain. Ensuring that Manufacturing Services fulfils customer expectations on time, budget and with the right level of quality. You will be working as part of a team of Manufacturing Engineers reporting into a Manufacturing Engineering Manager. Working as a Manufacturing Engineer you will have cradle-to-grave manufacturing responsibility for the assembly, repair and test of electro-mechanical products.

Key Responsibilities

• Creation and maintenance of manufacturing documentation for all new and existing products, ensuring that manufacturing staff are equipped with adequate process and procedures to meet with customer expectations and requirements, at the highest quality and lowest cost.
• Assures product and process quality and control by designing repeatable and reproducible manufacturing processes, establish standards and verifying manufacturing processes with support from Cell Support Engineers and Operators.
• Adding value and reducing waste, with end-to-end management of material workflow, from supplier through to customer, ensuring supplier capability via internal and external auditing and process development.
• Evaluate existing and new manufacturing processes and products through the use of PFMEA and implement solutions to mitigate potential risks.
• Contribute to bid preparation, working with other functions to pull together competitive bids, which would include estimation of labour standards and potentially estimation of some materials, plant and tooling.
• Work in conjunction with Engineering on new product development/introduction. Ensuring manufacturability of the product, optimised within design constraints.
• Contributing to the product design and reporting on design status and giving consideration to the full lifecycle (‘cradle to grave’) of the product, monitor production and probable lifetime costs during development through to entry into production.
• To ensure PFMEA is utilised in within design and manufacturing cycle, and establish manufacturing controls to ensure fail proofing of all production processes.
• Actively participate in supplier selection in conjunction with procurement and Design team, ensuring the most cost effective solution on make/buy is taken.
• Design and manage the manufacturing tooling required to support efficient product assembly in a repeatable and efficient manner.
• Improves manufacturing efficiency by planning process work flow, defining space requirements, manufacturing tools, plant and layout.
• Provides manufacturing support to RCCA, FRACAS and MRB’s to contain and reduce defects and improve FPY; includes working with suppliers to reduce non-conformances, feeding back into Engineering Design Teams where appropriate.
• Review the costs of the manufacture of existing products and formulate action plans for cost effective redesign.
• To define set standard manufacturing parameters for use by design teams, and ensure process capability has been adequately assessed prior to production build, and assist Design and Engineering functions, to ensure that all new products will be manufactured in a structured way, building units more efficiently.
• Support a high performing team and maintain effective professional relationships with internal and external suppliers/customers and other members of staff.

Essential Skills

• Experience in supporting AS9145 within an AS9100 organisation.
• In depth knowledge of the design, make, prove interface role and Design for Manufacture and Test (DFMAT) (E or D).
• Ability to define production requirements as part of NPI and provide financial business case justification for selected build and test strategies.
• Good communication skills demonstrated both verbally and in the generation of documentation.
• Self-driven and able to monitor own performance effectively to ensure commitments and deadlines are met.
• Effective planning and organising capabilities.
• Experience in manufacturing of electromechanical products.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods for mechanical assemblies and products i.e. machining, fabrication and special processes.
• Knowledge of manufacturing methods for PCB/PCBA assemblies and products (i.e. soldering and coating techniques).
• Knowledge of manufacturing tools and techniques in a low volume/high complexity environment.
• Knowledge and application of Lean Manufacturing techniques and 6-sigma methodology.
• Will have thorough understanding of MRP / ERP systems.
• The person will be “hands on”, will have a “can do” attitude and will make things happen.
• The person will be energetic, will think on their feet and be hungry for change and continuous improvement.
• Must be PC literate with good IT skills, and experience of Microsoft Office applications such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Experience of NPI implementation, from concept through to production.

Qualifications

• HNC/HND in Engineering subject as a minimum.
• Educated to degree level in an Engineering or Science Discipline or equivalent.
• Qualification in Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.
• A working knowledge of IFS and TeamCenter would be a distinct advantage.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in Aerospace standards (e.g. EASA Part 21, Part 145, AS9100, etc).
• Experience in Assembly Process Engineering and Factory Simulation.
• Experience in working in an Aerospace AS9100 design and manufacturing environment.
• Ability to model and draft tooling design using CAD systems.
• A logical and strategic thinker who has the ability to communicate and innovate effectively at all levels.
• Capability to work within multi-disciplined team with the ability to mentor, train and develop staff in Lean disciplines.
• Ability to work in conjunction with other business functions to develop and implement end-to-end process controls.
• Knowledge and application experience of the required tools and techniques required to embed NPI and process engineering solutions (e.g. DFM, Control Plans, PFMEAs, KPIs, SPC, VSM, Process Mapping) with experience in operating within the AS9145 framework.
• An understanding of Project management and Supply Chain principles, practices and processes.

Benefits

Every employee is critical to our success and as such we offer a range of flexible employee benefits along with career development opportunities.

• Flexible working within core working hours.
• 25 days holiday (185 hrs) with the option to buy/sell 5 days (37 hrs) plus bank holidays.
• 4 times your annual salary in life assurance.
• Flexible benefits package.
• Pension Scheme - Less than 5 years' service up to 5.5% employer contributions, 5 years' service + up to 7.5% employer contributions.
• Sports and Social club.
• Supportive and friendly working environment with regular team events.

You couldn’t be joining the team at Ultra at a more exciting time. Therefore if this sounds of interest, please follow the application process.

Nationality Requirements

Candidates must be able to work in the UK without restrictions in accordance with UK National Law and be prepared to successfully undertake an appropriate level of UK National Security Vetting according to UK Government National Security Vetting criteria.

Diverse & Inclusive Employer

Ultra PCS is an equal opportunities employer that values diversity, inclusion, equity and equality. Underpinned by our values, behaviours, and policies, we want you to feel empowered to be your best and authentic self. We promote a workplace that welcomes people from all backgrounds and cultures; believing that this will increase our diversity of thinking, and ultimately ensure we continue delivering on our commitments to our customers. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status and welcome applications from all candidates.