Senior Design for Manufacture Engineer in Fareham

We’re looking for an experienced Manufacturing/DFM Engineer to join our team in further developing our advanced logistics UAS. This is a role within the Design Team that will lead the transition of new designs into production, while applying DFM/DFA principles throughout the design process. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable in a design and manufacturing engineering environment — someone who can move designs from CAD to cost-effective, scalable production, while collaborating with relevant stakeholders.

You will play a critical role in shaping products that are not only flight-ready, but factory-ready. This role is vital to our mission of creating a low cost, efficient, and robust UAS for logistics applications.

Key Responsibilities

Design

• Lead the transition of new designs into production, being the main interface of the design team to internal and external manufacturing.
• Contribute to the mechanical design of structural and subsystem components using CAE/CAD (SolidWorks) or by guiding other Design Engineers.
• Define workflows and processes towards ensuring quality manufacturing data is maintained and good configuration management practices are followed.

Manufacturing Optimization

• Apply DFM/DFA principles to refine designs, simplify assemblies, and minimize part count.
• Identify and drive cost‑saving initiatives through design, material and process improvements.

Prototype and Production Support

• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including technical drawings, work instructions, and BOMs.
• Support prototype builds and production runs, troubleshooting issues and implementing design refinements.

Supplier and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Work directly with external manufacturing partners and internal teams (manufacturing, supply chain, quality) to ensure production readiness.
• Work with internal teams to further develop/adopt quality management processes.

Continuous Improvement

• Champion continuous improvement in design and manufacturing processes targeted at reducing cost, improving quality, and increasing manufacturing capacity.
• Stay up to date with latest manufacturing methods suited to the near and long‑term business needs.

Qualifications

• Background: Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or similar role, applying DFM principles in aerospace, UAV, automotive or relevant sector.
• Demonstrated ability to balance technical design with cost-effective production practices.
• A proactive, hands‑on approach with excellent problem‑solving and collaboration skills.
• Experience in configuration management of complex systems desirable.
• Working experience of moving new designs from the CAD detail design stage, through detailed assembly drawings, BoMs and build instructions to manufacturing.
• Comfortable working across design, prototyping, and production environments.
• Able to balance engineering decisions with real‑world cost and production constraints.

Skills

• Generation of engineering assembly drawings, build instructions, BoM definition.
• Proficiency in CAD software, preferably SolidWorks and PDM.
• Good understanding of assembly and manufacturing processes: CNC, sheet metal, composites, etc., preferably as applied to lightweight structures.

Mindset & Attributes

• Proven problem‑solving ability with a track record of delivering under pressure.
• Strong communication, documentation, and collaboration skills.
• A self‑starter with an inquiring mindset.
• Willing to work in the defence sector and undergo background/security checks as required.
• Right to work within the UK.