Lead Production Engineer

Halma plc; Alton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Halma plc in the United Kingdom is seeking a Lead Production Engineer to own the technical direction of manufacturing engineering activities, lead engineers, and ensure that engineering solutions align with business objectives. You will design, improve, and support manufacturing processes so that products are produced safely, efficiently, on time, to cost and quality requirements.

You will lead cross‑functional collaboration, drive continuous improvement, and coach engineers while shaping the

Qualifications

• Experience leading manufacturing engineering teams.
• Proven ability to design and improve manufacturing processes.
• Strong data analysis and problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Own manufacturing process design, documentation and improvements.
• Lead Engineers; ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Support NPI and major transfers or capacity expansions.

Skills

Project leadership

Continuous improvement

Data-driven methods

ERP systems

Automation & equipment

Tools

ERP systems

Automation tools

Job description

If you are someone who demonstrates passion, curiosity, a drive for excellence and an ambition to make a difference, then we’d love to hear from you!

As our Lead Production Engineer, you will own the technical direction of manufacturing engineering activities, lead engineers, and ensure that engineering solutions align with business objectives. To design, improve, and support manufacturing processes so that products are produced safely, efficiently, on time, to cost and quality requirements.

Responsibilities

Manufacturing Process & Equipment

• Design, document, and improve manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Specify, commission, and maintain production equipment, tooling, fixtures, and test equipment.
• Support NPI activities, ensuring products are manufacturable, repeatable, and scalable.
• Ensure processes comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Acts as technical authority for manufacturing processes and decisions.
• Owns complex or high‑risk manufacturing problems and major change initiatives.
• Leads manufacturing engineering input into NPI, major transfers, or capacity expansions.
• Defines engineering standards, best practices, and consistent approaches across products or lines.

Production Support

• Provide day-to-day engineering support to production.
• Investigate and resolve production, quality, and yield issues.
• Support corrective actions and continuous improvement activities (Lean, waste reduction, cycle time reduction).

Quality & Data

• Develop and maintain work instructions, process flows, SOPs, and control plans.
• Analyse production and quality data to drive improvements.
• Support audits and root-cause analysis activities.

Cross‑functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Design Engineering.
• Support design‑for‑manufacture (DFM/DFA) feedback into product development.

People & Training

• Train operators and technicians on new processes and equipment.
• Provides day-to-day technical leadership to Production Engineers.
• Coaches and mentors engineers; supports development plans and skill progression.
• Reviews and challenges engineering solutions produced by others.

Strategic & Business Contribution

• Contributes to medium- and long‑term manufacturing strategy.
• Balances cost, quality, delivery, risk, and capacity in decision‑making.
• Identifies systemic improvement opportunities rather than isolated fixes.
• Acts as the voice of manufacturing engineering in senior discussions.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Core Manufacturing Engineering Expertise
• Continuous Improvement & Data‑Driven Methods
• ERP & Digital Manufacturing Systems
• Automation, Tooling & Equipment Experience
• Project & Technical Leadership Skills

Soft Skills

• Clear, Structured Communication
• Leadership Without Authority focusing on Coaching, Mentoring & Capability Building
• Professional Credibility & Integrity
• Decision‑Making Under Ambiguity
• Analytical thinking and problem‑solving mindset.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities.

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