Lead Engineer - BIW

Tata Technologies; Gaydon; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Tata Technologies is seeking a BIW Manufacturing Engineer for a 6 months contract in the United Kingdom. You will lead manufacturing integration, drive DFMEA/APQP/PPAP activities, and manage tooling, validation, and readiness across body structures and assemblies.

The role requires significant BIW experience, strong DFM/DFA knowledge, and history of supporting vehicle programmes from concept through production launch. UK-based with travel to supplier and manufacturing sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.
• Significant BIW Manufacturing Engineering experience or similar.

Responsibilities

• Lead BIW manufacturing integration across body structures, underbody, closures, and mounting interfaces.
• Drive DFM, DFA, DFMEA, APQP, and PPAP activities.
• Manage tooling development, try-outs, process validation, and production readiness reviews.
• Support prototype, pilot, and pre-production build events and resolve dimensional, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, DMAIC and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Monitor supplier performance and manufacturing capability through audits and readiness assessments.
• Support vehicle launch and early-life production activities to ensure rapid issue resolution and production stability.
• Manage programme timing, risks, costs, and quality metrics through gateway and launch milestones.

Skills

BIW Manufacturing

DFM

DFA

APQP

PPAP

8D

DMAIC

Root Cause Analysis

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Automotive/Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Lead the industrialisation, manufacturing readiness, build trials, and launch support of Body-in-White (BIW) systems from concept through production. Ensure designs are manufacturable, suppliers are production-ready, and quality, cost, timing, and performance targets are achieved.

6 months contract, inside IR35

AREA OF RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead BIW manufacturing integration across body structures, underbody, closures, and mounting interfaces.
• Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), DFMEA, APQP, and PPAP activities.
• Manage tooling development, try-outs, process validation, and production readiness reviews.
• Support prototype, pilot, and pre-production build events, resolving dimensional, quality, and manufacturing issues.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Purchasing, and suppliers.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions using 8D, DMAIC, and structured problem-solving techniques.
• Monitor supplier performance and manufacturing capability through audits and readiness assessments.
• Support vehicle launch and early-life production activities, ensuring rapid issue resolution and production stability.
• Manage programme timing, risks, costs, and quality metrics through key gateway and launch milestones.

Knowledge & Experience

• Significant experience in BIW Manufacturing Engineering, Supplier Quality, or Vehicle Launch.
• Strong knowledge of BIW manufacturing processes, including stamping and assemblies.
• Proven experience supporting vehicle programmes from concept through production launch.
• Experience managing suppliers through tooling, validation, APQP, PPAP, and launch activities.
• Strong understanding of DVP&R, FMEA, dimensional management, manufacturing feasibility, and production readiness.
• Experience leading build trials, prototype builds, and launch support activities.
• Degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, or related Engineering discipline.

LOCATION

• UK-based role with travel limited to UK supplier and manufacturing sites.