Lead Manufacturing Engineer

Thales; Templecombe; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus up to 10%

Half day Fridays

28 days leave + bank holidays

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Employee assistance program

Discount schemes

Gym discounts

Job summary

Thales seeks a Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Lead) to translate complex designs into production-ready solutions, shaping industrial strategies across bids, projects and products. The role interfaces with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and project teams in a hybrid setup.

Expect a full-time schedule (37 hours/week) with on-site presence in Templecombe and involvement in manufacturing engineering development, mentoring, and cost-effective production readiness.

Qualifications

• Specialist in Industrialisation/NPI principles.
• Able to influence peer networks to support industrial activity.
• Confident presenting to cross-functional groups.
• Mechanical or Electronic Engineering qualification (HNC or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Input to reviews in Bid & Project lifecycle to define/approve industrial solution.
• Create Industrialisation Plans linked to project plans and budget.
• Agree estimates for Projects/Products and related Capex.
• Contribute to the design and deployment of the Industrial Strategy.
• Mentor and develop team members within Manufacturing Engineering.

Skills

Industrialisation/NPI

Influence networks

Cross-functional presentation

Mechanical/Electronic engineering

Education

HNC or equivalent

Job description

Location: Templecombe, United Kingdom

Thales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.

Hybrid working arrangement

3 days per week on site (based on full time hours)

Working hours

Full time 37 per week (8 hours Mon-Thurs and 5 hours on Fri)

Are you an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer with a passion for turning complex designs into production-ready solutions? As a Lead Manufacturing Engineer you'll work across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and project teams to define and deliver industrial strategies that drive innovation, efficiency and business success.

Acting as the link between business and industry functions, you'll shape industrialisation and production strategies for bids, projects and products, ensuring solutions are manufacturable, cost-effective and ready for the future.

Core Benefits

On offer is a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes;

• Performance-related bonus up to 10% of annual salary
• Half day every Friday, usually finishing around 13:00
• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) plus opportunity to buy up to 40 hours/year (pro rata)
• 24 hours volunteering paid for
• Private healthcare (couples cover through Aviva)
• Pension scheme (Thales match + 2% up to max contribution of 8%)
• Life Assurance
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts
• You can read about some of our other benefits here: UK benefits | Thales Group

Under Water Systems (UWS)

Our purpose is to be the leading provider of underwater sensors and decision superiority, helping navies across the world keep our friends, families and all of us safe. We cover four sectors: Mine Counter Measures, Anti-Submarine warfare, Services and Future Capabilities.

Main Responsibilities

• Input to reviews throughout the Bid & Project lifecycle on behalf of Industry to define and approve industrial solution.
• Create Industrialisation Plans for projects and products that deliver our Industrial Strategy and is linked to the Integration, Validation, Verification and Qualification Plans.
• Agree the definition of estimates for Projects and Products and the associated financial commitments (inc. Capex).
• Contribute to the design and deployment of the Industrial Strategy within the business.
• Develop others in the team through mentoring & sharing knowledge. Assist in the development of the Manufacturing Engineering function.

Ideal Experience & Skills

• Proven specialist in Industrialisation/NPI principles.
• Capable to influence and mobilise peer networks in relevant domains to support and improve the industrial activity.
• Confident presenting to cross-functional groups.
• Mechanical Engineer/Electronic Qualification (HNC or equivalent)

Security Clearance Requirement: UK Eyes Only

Due to the nature of the work that we do at Thales, many of our roles are subject to security restrictions. This role requires you to be a UK National and achieve Security Clearance (SC) without any caveats. It would be advantageous if currently held, however, if not currently held, it is a requirement that the successful applicant undergo, achieve, and maintain SC Clearance prior to commencing employment. If approved by the MOD, a dual national from a non-ITAR country may be considered.

To be eligible for full SC, you generally need to have resided in the UK for the last 5 years. In some circumstances, a minimum of 3 years' residence in the UK over the last 5 years may be accepted, with additional overseas checks.

Please visit the UKSV website for further guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels.

At Thales, we ensure equal opportunities, pay and working conditions for all. The benefits we offer include private medical insurance, buying or selling annual leave, cycle to work schemes, employee discounts, paid volunteering day, stocks and shares, annual bonus and much more depending on the role. Read more about our benefits here.

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued for who they are and the unique strengths they bring. Discover more about our programmes, employee networks, wellbeing policies, and inclusive features here.