Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Eaton; South Molton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Challenging projects

Internal promotion

Learning and development

Wellbeing and safety

Job summary

Eaton South Molton in Devon, UK, is a leading aerospace components producer collaborating with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer. The role focuses on developing and maintaining robust manufacturing processes, leading cost-out initiatives and ensuring compliance with UK and European regulations.

A strong Lean/Six Sigma background is essential. You will work with design, engineering and operations teams to optimise processes, apply ProLaunch, and drive continuous improvement across the plant.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or equivalent qualification.
• Strong knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma tools.
• Experience with ProLaunch and manufacturing cost-out initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Support plant leadership to achieve business and financial goals.
• Develop cost-efficient manufacturing processes and product structures.
• Lead cross-functional improvement projects and cost-out initiatives.
• Apply lean techniques to eliminate waste and meet customer expectations.
• Develop and maintain robust process procedures and KPI tracking.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Six Sigma

ProLaunch

CAD/CAM

MS Office

Quality systems ISO9001/AS9100

Education

Engineering Degree

Tools

CAD

CAM

MS Office

MiniTab

ProLaunch

Job description

Eaton South Molton

Nestled in the heart of Devon, UK, the South Molton plant is home to a team of over 400 talented professionals, driving excellence in aerospace manufacturing. With a proud history dating back to 1973, this facility has grown into a powerhouse of precision engineering, delivering high-quality components to some of the world's most renowned aerospace brands.

What makes South Molton unique? Our one‑of‑a‑kind investment casting foundry, established in 1975, sets us apart from all other Eaton Aerospace plants. Today, our focus is on designing, manufacturing, and testing top‑tier aerospace components, ensuring safety, reliability, and cutting‑edge innovation.

We proudly collaborate with industry giants like Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and Augusta Westland, with our main customer being Eaton’s Titchfield facility in Hampshire, UK. If you're looking for a dynamic environment, world‑class engineering, and the opportunity to shape the future of aerospace, South Molton is the place to be!

What You’ll Do

• This position is responsible for supporting plant leadership in achieving business and financial goals by developing and maintaining robust manufacturing processes and leading continuous improvement / cost out initiatives across the organisation. Additional responsibility includes executing the organisation’s strategic plan consistent with UK & European legislation, and local regulations, established industry standards, and customer requirements.
• With the team develop and maintain robust, cost efficient manufacturing processes and product structures consistent with lean manufacturing practices.
• Ensure root cause and failure analysis is performed as required.
• Lead cost‑out events and promote culture of continuous improvement.
• Apply lean manufacturing techniques as means to eliminate waste and deliver products to customer’s expectations.
• Implement methods and practices to reduce variation.
• Develop team’s ability to understand source(s) of variation by applying Six Sigma Design and Development strategies.
• Participates in concurrent engineering efforts and critical design reviews to minimise product development costs and maximise useful life of products.
• Conducts Design For Manufacturing and Value Engineering initiatives as applicable.
• Develops work breakdown structures as a tool to develop cost estimates.
• Participate in new product development projects using ProLaunch as a tool to articulate deliverables and a vehicle to commit to schedules.
• Coordinate manufacturing liaison/s for products from inception through shipment to customer.
• Develop and integrate new processes and methodologies as to provide competitive advantages for the business.
• Recommends Capital Appropriation Requests (including payback and net present value analysis) for acquisition of equipment to support emerging and existing technologies.
• Responsible for the training of associates as required, inline with APEX, OCA expectations etc.
• Communicates vision of organisation via verbal communication and actions.
• Coordinate with multiple functions to prepare consolidated plant, customer, and product status information and action plans.
• Develop, implement, and audit complex process procedures/work instructions (in-house and within the Supplier Base), when required, to alleviate production/quality problems and to achieve overall business objectives.
• Ensure robust plans are developed and monitored to ensure functional KPI’s are met.

Qualifications

• Relevant Engineering Degree, or equivalent qualification

Skills

• Solid understanding of engineering design and product reliability concepts as to facilitate analysis of fluid dynamics, thermal dynamics, electronic circuits, etc.
• Detailed knowledge of lean manufacturing techniques – i.e. value stream mapping, one piece flow, etc.
• Understanding of Six Sigma concepts and tools and where they relate to minimizing process / product variability – i.e. regression analysis, design of experiments, hypothesis testing, etc. Ensuring they are deployed appropriately.
• Thorough understanding of problem solving methodologies used in determining root cause and formulating corrective action(s) – i.e. thought maps, 8D, root cause analysis, Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis, Gage R & R, control charts, Pareto charts, etc.
• Understanding of ProLaunch.
• Proficiency in various software applications – i.e. Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacturing, MS Office suite, MiniTab, etc.
• Knowledge of industry and customer specific quality processes (i.e., ISO9001, AS9100 etc).
• Knowledge of product and end user application/specifications, including product testing requirements. (design/process interface).
• Knowledge of manufacturing principles and technical specifications to support facilities competencies – i.e. metal cutting, tool design, injection moulding, welding, soldering, etc.
• Ability to lead cross‑functional process improvement teams.
• Understand application of SPC and gauge R&R.
• Managing a team, including coaching, mentoring & performance management.
• Customer / Supplier interfacing (presentations, negotiations etc).

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Challenging projects in dynamic collaborative team.
• We make your aspirations matter – Eaton encourages internal promotion, whenever possible.
• We make your growth matter – We invest in our employees for the long term – not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University.
• We make your contributions matter – reliability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are at the core of our dedication to improving people’s lives and the environment through power management technologies.
• We make your wellbeing matter – We put your health and safety first. Wellness at Eaton is more than a program, it’s about changing the environment by offering the right tools to help empower employees to make that happen.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.

The successful applicant will be in contact with US ITAR controlled technology, goods and information. As a condition of employment, employees with access to US ITAR controlled technology and goods may be required to undergo an additional screening process as part of the recruitment process.