Lead Manufacturing Eng – Aerospace and Defence

Jonathan Lee Recruitment; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering recruitment consultancy is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer in the aerospace and defence sector. The role focuses on optimizing manufacturing processes and improving product quality. Candidates should have a strong background in manufacturing engineering, team leadership, and experience with continuous improvement initiatives. This is a permanent position based in West Midlands, UK. Suitable candidates should apply or contact for more information.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable engineering team leadership experience in an industrial environment.
• Extensive practical experience in an industrial forging, machining, or similar role.
• Proficient in interpreting complex engineering drawings.

Responsibilities

• Lead the prioritisation & allocation of manufacturing engineering activities.
• Analyse and optimise manufacturing processes to maximise quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with design and development teams to ensure manufacturability.

Skills

Engineering team leadership experience

Strong understanding of process control

Continuous improvement initiatives

Lean Manufacturing experience

Excellent analytical skills

Education

Degree or HND in Manufacturing/Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering

Tools

ERP systems

Statistical Process Control (SPC)

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.

Lead Manufacturing Engineer Responsibilities

• Lead the prioritisation & allocation of manufacturing engineering activities
• Analyse, develop, and optimise manufacturing processes to maximise 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

Lead Manufacturing Engineer Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• 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 CVs 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.