Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Futures; Cardiff; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Futures in Cardiff is seeking a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to drive continuous improvement across manufacturing, processes and equipment. This hands-on role focuses on boosting plant performance and delivering tangible shop-floor gains.

You will lead CI initiatives, work with production and maintenance teams, and apply Lean/CI methods such as Kaizen and SMED to achieve measurable improvements. A solid mechanical background and proactive problem solving are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Solid mechanical engineering background with practical, hands-on capability.
• Knowledge of OEE, RCA, Lean, 5S, Kaizen, SMED or similar methodologies.
• Experience working with automated manufacturing equipment would be advantageous.
• Strong problem-solving and project delivery skills.
• Engineering qualification at HNC/HND or Degree level.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver Continuous Improvement projects across manufacturing.
• Improve OEE, productivity, efficiency, quality and waste.
• Provide hands-on mechanical engineering support across equipment and processes.
• Drive structured problem-solving, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Support equipment upgrades, process improvements and engineering projects.
• Work closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Engineering teams.
• Support introduction and optimisation of new equipment and processes.
• Use Lean Manufacturing and CI methodologies to deliver measurable improvements.
• Act as a technical contact and promote engineering best practice across the site.

Skills

Hands-on manufacturing engineering

Continuous Improvement

Root cause analysis

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree/HNC or equivalent

Tools

Automation equipment experience

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lead Manufacturing Engineer to join a well‑established and growing manufacturing organisation based in Cardiff.

The business is experiencing an impressive period of growth and investment and is looking for an experienced, hands‑on Manufacturing Engineer to help drive improvements across manufacturing processes, equipment and overall site performance.

The Role:

This is a hands‑on engineering position with a strong focus on Continuous Improvement, manufacturing performance and mechanical engineering.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and delivering Continuous Improvement projects across manufacturing.
• Improving OEE, productivity, efficiency, quality and waste.
• Providing hands‑on mechanical engineering support across manufacturing equipment and processes.
• Driving structured problem‑solving, root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Supporting equipment upgrades, process improvements and engineering projects.
• Working closely with Production, Maintenance, Quality and Engineering teams.
• Supporting the introduction and optimisation of new equipment and manufacturing processes.
• Using Lean Manufacturing and CI methodologies to deliver measurable improvements.
• Acting as a technical point of contact and supporting engineering best practice across the site.

About You:

We are looking for an experienced Manufacturing / Process / Production Engineer who enjoys being close to the shop floor and delivering tangible improvements.

Ideally, you will have:

• Strong Manufacturing Engineering experience within a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.
• A solid mechanical engineering background with practical, hands‑on capability.
• Knowledge of OEE, RCA, Lean, 5S, Kaizen, SMED or similar methodologies.
• Experience working with automated manufacturing equipment would be advantageous.
• Strong problem‑solving and project delivery skills.
• An Engineering qualification, ideally at HNC/HND or Degree level.

If you're a Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys being hands‑on, solving problems and driving meaningful improvements on the shop floor, this is an opportunity well worth exploring.