Engineering Manager

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD; Leeds; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

KO2 Recruitment partners with a well-established precision manufacturing business in Wakefield to appoint an Engineering Manager. This hands-on leadership role combines technical problem solving on the shop floor with coaching and developing a high-performing team.

You will lead the Engineering function, drive continuous improvement, and align engineering initiatives with product development, manufacturing and strategic objectives.

Qualifications

• Experience in precision engineering and manufacturing.
• Experience operating and programming CNC machinery.
• Understanding of 2D/3D CAD modelling.
• Proficient in press tooling, and the design and hands-on manufacture of jigs and fixtures.
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and best practice.
• At least 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role within a manufacturing/logistics environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, tools and equipment.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team, with excellent communication, motivational and conflict-resolution skills.

Responsibilities

• Take overall ownership of the Engineering, Spray Painting, Automated Production and Injection Moulding departments, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet business objectives.
• Manage day-to-day operations across the department, making sure work is safely planned, prioritised and delivered in line with customer needs.
• Design and physically produce jigs, fixtures and other engineering solutions, getting hands-on to solve problems and support production.
• Plan and deliver engineering projects, product improvements, and the introduction of new equipment or processes.
• Champion continuous improvement across the department, driving efficiency, quality and performance gains.
• Keep engineering equipment, tools, machinery and stock levels well maintained to ensure maximum reliability.
• Line manage a team of 4 engineers, running regular 1-2-1s, performance reviews and succession planning to build a strong, capable team.
• Partner with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Technical and Logistics to keep activities coordinated and business goals on track.
• Assess current and future staffing, training and resourcing needs, flagging requirements to senior management as needed.
• Maintain compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality standards across all engineering activities.
• Report regularly on engineering performance, quality metrics, project progress and risk, with recommendations for senior leadership.
• Represent Engineering at production, continuous improvement and Health & Safety meetings, offering technical input where needed.

Skills

precision engineering

manufacturing

CNC machinery

CAD modelling

engineering principles

leadership

supervisory experience

production processes

Tools

CNC machinery

Job description

Engineering Manager

Precision Manufacturing | Hands-on Leadership

Location: Wakefield Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + a well-rounded benefits package

KO2 Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a well-established manufacturing business based in Wakefield in their search for an experienced Engineering Manager to join their senior team.

This is a genuinely hands-on leadership role for someone who is just as comfortable getting stuck into a technical problem on the shop floor as they are coaching, developing and motivating a team. You'll bring credible engineering knowledge and the people skills to build a strong, capable department around it.

The Role

You'll lead, manage and develop the Engineering function, delivering innovative, cost-effective and high-quality engineering solutions that support the business's product development, manufacturing and strategic objectives.

You'll provide hands on leadership across Engineering, Spray Painting, Automation and Injection Moulding, ensuring resources are effectively integrated and optimised to achieve operational excellence. You'll continually review and develop departmental strategy, aligning it with wider business, production and sales objectives, while driving continuous improvement, innovation and performance - staying close enough to the work to lead by example, and close enough to your people to bring the best out of them.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall ownership of the Engineering, Spray Painting, Automated Production and Injection Moulding departments, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet business objectives
• Manage day-to-day operations across the department, making sure work is safely planned, prioritised and delivered in line with customer needs
• Design and physically produce jigs, fixtures and other engineering solutions, getting hands-on to solve problems and support production
• Plan and deliver engineering projects, product improvements, and the introduction of new equipment or processes
• Champion continuous improvement across the department, driving efficiency, quality and performance gains
• Keep engineering equipment, tools, machinery and stock levels well maintained to ensure maximum reliability
• Line manage a team of 4 engineers, running regular 1-2-1s, performance reviews and succession planning to build a strong, capable team
• Partner with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Technical and Logistics to keep activities coordinated and business goals on track
• Assess current and future staffing, training and resourcing needs, flagging requirements to senior management as needed
• Maintain compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality standards across all engineering activities
• Report regularly on engineering performance, quality metrics, project progress and risk, with recommendations for senior leadership
• Represent Engineering at production, continuous improvement and Health & Safety meetings, offering technical input where needed

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Experience in precision engineering and manufacturing
• Experience operating and programming CNC machinery
• Understanding of 2D/3D CAD modelling
• Proficient in press tooling, and the design and hands-on manufacture of jigs and fixtures
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and best practice
• At least 5 years in a supervisory or leadership role within a manufacturing/logistics environment
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, tools and equipment
• Proven ability to lead and manage a team, with excellent communication, motivational and conflict-resolution skills

Desirable

• Experience with spray painting processes (gloss, K2)
• Extrusion saw operation and material preparation experience
• Professional engineering certification (e.g. CEng, IET membership)
• Experience and knowledge of injection moulding
• Knowledge of industry standards such as IPC-A-610, RoHS and ISO 9001