Lead CI Engineer for CNC Machining & Lean

Vectis Recruitment; Burnley; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Vectis Recruitment is seeking a Principal Continuous Improvement Engineer for a global manufacturing group servicing Aerospace, Defence & Energy sectors. You will drive lean initiatives to improve processes, reduce waste, and boost productivity in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

You will lead data-driven analyses, optimise CNC machining operations, establish KPIs, and guide cross-functional teams to sustain performance gains while ensuring health and safety and quality standards.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of driving lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Good understanding of CNC machining processes.
• Experience in fast paced, highly regulated environments (aerospace, defence, energy, etc).
• Excellent leadership and influencing skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Ability to interpret data and translate findings into practical solutions.
• Proactive approach with a passion for challenging the status quo.

Responsibilities

• Lead analysis of production data to identify performance trends, root causes, and improvement opportunities, translating findings into strategic action plans.
• Drive optimisation of machining operations, maximising machine utilisation, tooling performance, cycle times, and overall workflow efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement projects from initial assessment and feasibility studies through to implementation, validation, and sustained performance gains.
• Establish, monitor, and report on KPIs, using data-driven insights to evaluate performance, prioritise initiatives, and drive accountability.
• Champion operational excellence through process standardisation, structured problem-solving, best-practice implementation, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Ensure all improvement activities comply with health and safety requirements, quality standards, engineering specifications, and operational procedures.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to support the development of machining processes, improve operational capability, and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Identify and deliver opportunities to reduce manufacturing costs, minimise downtime, improve productivity, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Continuous improvement

CNC machining

Leadership

Data analysis

Project management

Problem solving

Process standardisation

Job description

Vectis Recruitment is seeking a Principal Continuous Improvement Engineer for a global manufacturing group servicing Aerospace, Defence & Energy sectors. You will drive lean initiatives to improve processes, reduce waste, and boost productivity in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment.

You will lead data-driven analyses, optimise CNC machining operations, establish KPIs, and guide cross-functional teams to sustain performance gains while ensuring health and safety and quality standards.