Production Engineer in Reading

The Production Engineer plays a critical role in XYZ Reality’s New Product Introduction (NPI) facility, ensuring that production operations are efficient, repeatable, and continuously improved. This role sits directly beneath the Production Manager and acts as the technical backbone of the production environment—owning CAD, improving build processes, optimising tooling and fixtures, and driving documentation accuracy and system integrity across E-Max ERP and the wider production toolchain.

You will work hands‑on with AR hardware assemblies, developing and refining production workflows, introducing engineering change, and supporting the transition from prototype/NPI builds into scalable, stable production operations. This is a highly practical, process‑driven role suited to someone who thrives on solving problems, improving systems, and ensuring that every build meets the highest levels of quality, repeatability, and traceability.

• Process Engineering & Continuous Improvement
  • Analyse end‐to‐end build, calibration, and test processes to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and quality risks.
  • Develop improved assembly instructions, SOPs, jigs, fixtures, and tooling to enhance efficiency and repeatability.
  • Implement engineering change (ECO) processes to ensure design updates are reflected in production documentation.
  • Drive automation opportunities alongside the Test Technician (e.g., semi‐automated test rigs, reduced manual handling).
  • Run time‐and‐motion studies to reduce overall cycle times by 5–10% annually.
• CAD Ownership & Technical Documentation
  • Own all production‐relevant CAD data, including mechanical assemblies, exploded views, drawing updates, version control, and change notices.
  • Translate engineering files into production‐ready documentation, including work instructions, assembly guides, and exploded diagrams.
  • Maintain a centralised, organised CAD repository with clear revision control.
  • Produce 2D/3D drawings for fixtures, tooling, and minor design modifications where required.
• Systems, Data Integrity & ERP Support
  • Maintain accurate BOMs, manufacturing routings, serialisation data, and stock structures within E‐Max ERP.
  • Support the Production Manager in ensuring 100% data integrity across builds.
  • Implement improvements to ERP workflows, reducing manual admin and improving traceability.
  • Collaborate with procurement to ensure build documentation aligns with real‐world parts availability.
• Quality Engineering & Root‐Cause Analysis
  • Support inspections, failure analysis, and defect tracking across incoming goods, in‐process builds, and outgoing final systems.
  • Conduct root‐cause investigations on build failures, field returns, and RMA units; propose corrective and preventive actions.
  • Track quality trends and provide structured improvement recommendations to production, procurement, and design teams.
  • Contribute to a robust Quality Management System aligned with ISO standards.
• Production Support & Build Execution
  • Provide hands‑on support during assembly, calibration, and testing during peak periods or complex builds.
  • Train production and contractor staff on engineering changes, updated procedures, and new tooling/fixtures.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical/assembly issues on the production line and work closely with design engineers on fixes.
  • Ensure all build documentation is current, clear, and accessible to technicians.
• Cross‐Functional Collaboration
  • Design Engineering — to implement updates and validate build feasibility.
  • Test Engineering — refining test flows and ensuring consistent calibration.
  • Procurement & Logistics — ensuring BOM accuracy and component readiness.
  • Customer Support (Freshdesk) — analysing field failures and feeding learnings back into production.

• Essential
  • 3–6 years in production engineering, mechanical engineering, or manufacturing engineering.
  • Strong CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent) including assembly management and technical drawings.
  • Experience supporting production of electro‐mechanical systems or precision hardware.
  • Strong knowledge of process improvement methods (Lean, Kaizen, root‐cause analysis).
  • Hands‑on assembly, mechanical troubleshooting, and fixture/tooling development experience.
  • Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, ideally E‐Max or similar.
  • Excellent documentation and version control discipline.
• Desired
  • Experience in AR/VR, wearables, or electronics manufacturing.
  • Knowledge of PCB handling, ESD protocols, and low‐voltage hardware assembly.
  • Experience supporting NPI builds transitioning into scaled production.
  • Experience with test automation or calibration workflows.

• Technical Rigor: Deep attention to detail, strong engineering fundamentals.
• Ownership: Takes responsibility for process stability, documentation, and quality outcomes.
• Problem Solving: Able to quickly diagnose complex build issues and propose practical solutions.
• Collaboration: Works effectively across production, design, test, and supply chain.
• Process Mindset: Methodical, highly organised, and able to bring structure to dynamic environments.
• Adaptability: Thrives in a startup‑like environment with evolving products and requirements.