Lead Manufacturing Eng - Aerospace and Defence

Jonathan Lee Recruitment; Peacehaven; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment consultancy is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to join an Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing company. The role involves optimizing manufacturing processes, supporting New Product Introductions, and leading cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality standards. Candidates should possess engineering team leadership experience, relevant educational qualifications, and a strong understanding of process control and Lean Manufacturing practices. The position is based in the West Midlands, and may require security clearance due to the nature of products involved.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable leadership in an industrial environment.
• Extensive experience in industrial forging, machining, or fabrication.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and DMAIC problem-solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing engineering activities and priorities.
• Analyze and optimize manufacturing processes.
• Support industrialization of New Product Introductions.

Skills

Engineering team leadership experience

Process control and capability understanding

Statistical tools usage

Lean Manufacturing experience

Communication skills

Education

Degree or HND in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Lead Manufacturing Engineer – Aerospace and Defence - West Midlands - Permanent - Attractive

A Lead Manufacturing Engineer is required to join an Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing and Engineering company at the forefront of aerospace forging, machining, and assembly, producing an extensive range of products and components. The successful Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be an experienced and proactive Manufacturing Engineer, and this critical role will focus on optimizing current manufacturing processes, improving product quality and production efficiency. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be supporting the successful industrialisation of New Product Introductions (NPI) into production and will lead the manufacturing engineering for one of the business units. The Lead Manufacturing Engineer will be working closely with cross-functional teams including design engineering, production, quality, and supply chain to ensure the manufacturing processes are stable, capable, and continuously improving to meet the high standards expected in the aerospace and defence industry.

The Lead Manufacturing Engineer Responsibilities will Include:

• Lead the prioritisation & allocation of manufacturing engineering activities
• Analyse, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes to maximize quality and efficiency
• Drive strong process control and process capability across all manufacturing operations
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and industrial engineering optimisation techniques
• Lead and deliver continuous improvement initiatives targeting quality improvements
• Support and execute the industrialisation of New Product Introductions (NPI)
• Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure manufacturability and DFMA
• Apply APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) to ensure product/process readiness
• Lead the PPAP (Production Part Approval Process) to verify product designs
• Identify, propose, and implement process improvement and technology upgrades
• Troubleshoot and resolve production issues, applying structured root cause analysis (RCA)
• Define, document, and maintain robust manufacturing process controls including (SOPs)
• Develop and validate manufacturing tooling, jigs, fixtures, gauging, and other systems
• Ensure all manufacturing activities comply with aerospace and defence quality standards
• Support production teams by providing training on new processes, and operational practices
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as yield, scrap, RFT, and throughput
• Contribute to investment projects related to new capabilities, equipment modernisation, etc

The Lead Manufacturing Engineer - Qualifications Skills and Experience Required:

• Demonstrable engineering team leadership experience in an industrial environment
• Engineering experience with good understanding of the associated tools/techniques
• Extensive practical experience in an industrial forging, machining, fabrication, or similar role
• Degree or HND in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, or similar
• Strong understanding of process control and process capability
• Experience with statistical tools to validate and monitor production stability
• Demonstrated experience in leading continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality
• Significant experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, and 8D/DMAIC problem‑solving
• Proficient in interpreting complex engineering drawings and GD&T
• Experience with validation, PFMEA, control plans, and Statistical Process Control (SPC)
• Lean Manufacturing and industrial optimisation and value stream mapping experience
• Good working knowledge of aerospace quality standards (e.g., AS9100)
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and project management skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skill and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
• Experience with ERP systems and knowledge of forging, heat/surface treatments, machining

Security Clearance (SC) may be required due to the nature of the products involved therefore only British and UK Candidates are Eligible

If you have experience of Manufacturing Engineering within an Industrial and Manufacturing environment and you want to be considered, please apply today. If you have any questions about the Lead Manufacturing Engineer role, please contact Peter Heap at Jonathan Lee Recruitment on 01384 446127 or send suitable CV's to [e-mail]

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.

In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.