Engineering Workshop Manager

George Blake; Camberley; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

George Blake Limited is seeking an experienced Engineering Workshop Manager to lead a prototype workshop from development through production handover. This hands-on role requires managing day-to-day workshop activity, coordinating prototype builds and guiding technicians and apprentices to keep projects on track.

You will ensure materials, equipment and external services are available, read drawings and BOMs, and drive improvements in workflow, safety and quality across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Experience in an engineering workshop, prototype development or R&D setting.
• Practical electrical skills and ability to interpret technical drawings and build documentation.
• Experience coordinating people, resources, suppliers or purchasing activity.
• Engineering training or apprenticeship; IPC knowledge, CAD or rapid‑prototyping experience would be beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Organising workshop activity, equipment and resources across several projects.
• Coordinating prototype builds, maintaining records and monitoring progress against project milestones.
• Carrying out and supporting practical build work, including wiring, soldering, cable assemblies and electro‑mechanical integration.
• Reading schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and assembly instructions.
• Managing prototype materials, bills of materials, purchasing and supplier relationships.
• Working with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain colleagues to improve availability, cost and lead times.
• Supporting quality processes, engineering changes and the handover of prototypes into production.
• Developing and supporting workshop staff and apprentices.
• Promoting safe working practices and improving workshop processes and capability.

Skills

People management

Project coordination

Electrical skills

Reading technical drawings

Problem solving

Education

Engineering apprenticeship or equivalent

Engineering qualification

Tools

CAD

IPC knowledge

Document control

Rapid prototyping

Job description

Engineering Workshop Manager

Location: Near Camberley

Contract: Permanent, full-time

We're looking for an experienced engineering professional to lead a prototype workshop supporting projects from early development through to production handover.

This is a hands‑on management role. You'll oversee the day‑to‑day running of the workshop, coordinate prototype builds and support a team of technicians and apprentices. You'll also help make sure the right materials, equipment and external services are available to keep projects on track.

What you'll be doing

• Organising workshop activity, equipment and resources across several projects.
• Coordinating prototype builds, maintaining records and monitoring progress against project milestones.
• Carrying out and supporting practical build work, including wiring, soldering, cable assemblies and electro‑mechanical integration.
• Reading schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings and assembly instructions.
• Managing prototype materials, bills of materials, purchasing and supplier relationships.
• Working with engineering, manufacturing and supply chain colleagues to improve availability, cost and lead times.
• Supporting quality processes, engineering changes and the handover of prototypes into production.
• Developing and supporting workshop staff and apprentices.
• Promoting safe working practices and improving workshop processes and capability.

What we're looking for

You'll have experience in an engineering workshop, prototype development, laboratory or R&D setting. You'll bring practical electrical skills and be comfortable interpreting technical drawings and build documentation.

You will also have experience coordinating people, resources, suppliers or purchasing activity. Strong organisation, communication and problem‑solving skills are important, along with the ability to balance hands‑on work and competing project priorities.

Relevant engineering training, an apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience is essential. An engineering qualification, IPC knowledge, CAD, document control or rapid‑prototyping experience would be beneficial.

If you enjoy combining practical engineering with team leadership and workshop improvement, we'd be glad to hear from you