Hands-On Manufacturing Engineer for Defence Vehicle Systems

NP Aerospace, Ltd.; Coventry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance rewards

Flex your day

25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Pension scheme (9%)

Life cover 3x base salary

Health plan

Career development opportunities

Defence industry focus

Job summary

NP Aerospace is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in Coventry to bridge design and shop floor production for military vehicle systems. You will lead readiness activities, develop instructions, PFMEA, and training to ensure efficient, safe and consistent manufacturing.

You will interact with Engineering, Operations and Quality teams, evaluating CAD models and supporting prototypes and initial production runs, while applying Lean methods to reduce waste and improve material usage.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Manufacturing Engineer across a variety of operational environments.
• Experience with vehicles and fabrication.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing concepts and methodologies.
• Practical problem-solving using 5 Whys, Ishikawa and 8D.
• Ability to interrogate CAD models and engineering drawings.
• A practical, hands-on approach to manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement.
• Experience working with production teams to improve processes.
• Strong communication across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Programme teams.
• Degree or HNC in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience in military vehicle, automotive, aerospace or defence manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing readiness activities for new vehicle products, including process design and line balancing.
• Develop manufacturing instructions, PFMEA completion, and operator training.
• Evaluate CAD models and drawings; support prototyping and early production runs.
• Improve existing processes using Lean techniques (5S, standard ops, single-piece flow).
• Coordinate with tooling suppliers; ensure equipment meets programme deadlines.
• Maintain accurate engineering BOMs and monitor KPIs; provide training and process improvements.
• Be hands-on on the shop floor and stay close to production operations.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

5 Whys

Ishikawa (fishbone)

8D problem solving

CAD model interpretation

Hands-on engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing readiness

Process improvement

Education

Degree or HNC in engineering

Tools

CNC programming

Press programming

Tooling coordination

Job description

NP Aerospace is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in Coventry to bridge design and shop floor production for military vehicle systems. You will lead readiness activities, develop instructions, PFMEA, and training to ensure efficient, safe and consistent manufacturing.

You will interact with Engineering, Operations and Quality teams, evaluating CAD models and supporting prototypes and initial production runs, while applying Lean methods to reduce waste and improve material usage.