Manufacturing Data Analyst

BAE Systems; Preston; On-site; GBP 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace firm in the UK is seeking a Manufacturing Data Analyst to collaborate closely with engineers and data scientists in developing innovative AI solutions. The ideal candidate will have strong programming skills in Python and experience with AI/ML libraries. This role offers a competitive salary, clear pathways for career progression, and a diverse and inclusive working environment focused on personal development and contribution to manufacturing improvements.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible discounted health benefits

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Annual incentive eligibility

Qualifications

• Minimum HNC/HND in Engineering, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Statistics or related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with teams.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Engineers and Data Scientists to develop AI solutions.
• Lead exploratory data analysis and AI prototyping.
• Build, test, and refine AI systems in real-world environments.

Skills

Python programming

AI/ML libraries (PyTorch, Scikit Learn, HuggingFace Transformers)

SQL proficiency

Excel for data management

Collaboration in agile settings

Education

Minimum HNC/HND in Engineering, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, or Statistics

Tools

Tableau or comparable data visualisation tools

Job description

Job Title: Manufacturing Data Analyst

Location: Samlesbury

Salary: £49,400+

What you’ll be doing

• Collaborate closely with Engineers and Data Scientists to design, experiment with, and develop AI solutions across the full lifecycle
• Lead work from exploratory data analysis and generative AI prototyping through to production-ready machine learning pipelines
• Take a highly hands-on role in building, testing, and refining AI systems in real-world environments
• Explore and apply emerging AI technologies while maintaining a strong focus on delivering tangible value to users, manufacturing teams, and senior stakeholders

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Minimum HNC/HND in Engineering, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Statistics or a related field
• Strong programming skills in Python; proficient with AI/ML libraries such as PyTorch, Scikit Learn, HuggingFace Transformers, and frameworks LangChain and Microsoft Agent Framework
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with Data Scientists, engineers and cross functional stakeholders in an agile setting.
• Proficiency with SQL and Excel for data extraction, transformation and reporting

Desirable:

• Experience with data visualisation platforms such as Tableau or comparable tools.
• Exposure to additional AI/ML platforms or cloud based analytics services.

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The Manufacturing Data Analyst Team

As part of the Manufacturing Data Analyst Team, you will play a key role in driving product improvement initiatives in collaboration with our manufacturing teams. You will identify and resolve manufacturing challenges, delivering robust solutions that enhance product quality and performance.

This is a highly rewarding opportunity to contribute to our contracts, with clear pathways for career progression and ongoing professional development. This is a new and fast-growing area of the business with plenty of activity and opportunity.

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 18th February 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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