Manufacturing Engineer

NP Aerospace, Ltd.; Coventry; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance rewards

Flex your day

25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays

Pension scheme (9%)

Life cover 3x base salary

Health plan

Career development opportunities

Defence industry focus

Job summary

NP Aerospace is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer in Coventry to bridge design and shop floor production for military vehicle systems. You will lead readiness activities, develop instructions, PFMEA, and training to ensure efficient, safe and consistent manufacturing.

You will interact with Engineering, Operations and Quality teams, evaluating CAD models and supporting prototypes and initial production runs, while applying Lean methods to reduce waste and improve material usage.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Manufacturing Engineer across a variety of operational environments.
• Experience with vehicles and fabrication.
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing concepts and methodologies.
• Practical problem-solving using 5 Whys, Ishikawa and 8D.
• Ability to interrogate CAD models and engineering drawings.
• A practical, hands-on approach to manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement.
• Experience working with production teams to improve processes.
• Strong communication across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Programme teams.
• Degree or HNC in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Experience in military vehicle, automotive, aerospace or defence manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing readiness activities for new vehicle products, including process design and line balancing.
• Develop manufacturing instructions, PFMEA completion, and operator training.
• Evaluate CAD models and drawings; support prototyping and early production runs.
• Improve existing processes using Lean techniques (5S, standard ops, single-piece flow).
• Coordinate with tooling suppliers; ensure equipment meets programme deadlines.
• Maintain accurate engineering BOMs and monitor KPIs; provide training and process improvements.
• Be hands-on on the shop floor and stay close to production operations.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

5 Whys

Ishikawa (fishbone)

8D problem solving

CAD model interpretation

Hands-on engineering

Cross-functional collaboration

Manufacturing readiness

Process improvement

Education

Degree or HNC in engineering

Tools

CNC programming

Press programming

Tooling coordination

Job description

Job Title:Manufacturing Engineer
Location:Coventry, UK
Core Hours:08:00-16:35 (Mon–Thu) 08:00-15:10 (Fri).
Vacancy Type:Full-time, Permanent – onsite
Salary:£35,000 - £45,000 per annum

About the role

Want to see your engineering work translated directly into military vehicles?

At NP Aerospace's Site 2 in Coventry, you'll join our Vehicle Systems operation, supporting the manufacture, integration and delivery of highly engineered military vehicle systems for critical defence programmes.

We're looking for a Manufacturing Engineer who can bridge the gap between engineering design and what's actually happening on the shop floor. You'll work alongside production, engineering and quality teams to make sure vehicle components and assemblies can be manufactured efficiently, safely and consistently.

From introducing new vehicle products and processes through to improving established manufacturing operations, you'll have a hands‑on role in solving problems, improving processes and helping our teams deliver vehicles to the required quality, cost and schedule.

If you're a practical Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys being close to production and wants to work on military vehicles where the end product genuinely matters, this could be the opportunity for you.

What you’ll get in return

At NP Aerospace, we know our success comes from our people. That’s why we invest in benefits that support your health, reward your hard work, and help you grow your career:

• Performance rewards – discretionary bonus opportunities
• Flex your day – flexible start and finish times (subject to manager approval and operational needs)
• Time to recharge – 25 days’ holiday + 8 bank holidays, with the option to buy more through our Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Support for Defence – two weeks’ paid leave for Reservists and Cadets, plus paid leave for Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs)
• Future security – competitive pension scheme (9% combined employer/employee contributions
• Peace of mind – life cover at 3x base salary
• Health & wellbeing first – BHSF Cash Healthcare Plan to support everyday health costs
• Grow with us – career development and advancement opportunities within a global business
• Supportive environment – a team culture built on innovation, collaboration, and purpose

What you’ll be doing

You'll lead manufacturing readiness activities for new vehicle products, including process design, work balancing, manufacturing instructions, PFMEA completion, process development and operator training. This gives you the opportunity to influence how new military vehicle products are brought into production from the outset.

You'll work closely with Engineering, Operations and Programme teams, acting as the link between the design and manufacturing environments. You'll evaluate CAD models and engineering drawings, support production prototyping and initial production runs, and make sure vehicle products are practical to manufacture and assemble.

You'll also improve the processes already being used on our military vehicle programmes. Using Lean techniques such as 5S, standard operations, line balancing and single-piece flow, you'll identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce waste and optimise material usage.

Working closely with tooling and equipment suppliers, you'll help ensure the right equipment and solutions are delivered to support vehicle programme deadlines. You'll also maintain accurate engineering BOMs, monitor manufacturing KPIs and support operators through training and process improvements.

This is a role where you'll be expected to get involved, solve problems and spend time close to the manufacturing operation, rather than simply managing processes from a desk.

What we’re looking for

We're looking for an experienced Manufacturing Engineer who understands how engineering decisions affect what happens on the production floor.

• Proven experience as a Manufacturing Engineer across a variety of operational environments
• Experience working with vehicles and fabrication
• Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing concepts and methodologies
• Practical experience applying problem-solving techniques such as 5 Whys, Ishikawa and 8D
• Ability to interrogate CAD models and engineering drawings
• A practical, hands‑on approach to manufacturing engineering and continuous improvement
• Experience working closely with production teams to improve manufacturing processes
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work across Engineering, Operations, Quality and Programme teams
• Degree or HNC qualification in a relevant engineering discipline
• Experience in military vehicle, automotive, aerospace or defence manufacturing
• Experience with manufacturing readiness, PFMEA and process developmentExperience with CNC and press programming
• Experience implementing Poka-Yoke solutions
• Experience working with tooling and equipment suppliers
• Knowledge of vehicle assembly and fabrication processes

NP Aerospace is a global leader in armour technology manufacturing and vehicle integration, delivering high-performance, lifesaving solutions for the defence and security industry.

Our mission is to improve and protect lives, andour vision is to be a leading provider of innovative solutionsthat solve our customers' complex challenges.Our values - Respect, Collaboration, Integrity, and Dedicationform the bedrock of our culture.

Our extensive range of combat‑proven body armour, from ballistic helmets, plates, and shields to bomb disposal suits, highlights some of the most advanced composite materials. With a team of R&D engineers working on next‑generation solutions, we also excel in highly engineered vehicle systems and armour platforms used by some of the world’s largest defence organisations.

Founded in 1926, NP Aerospace has served the defence industry for over 40 years, evolving into an agile and diverse company. Our Business Development team is expanding both in the UK and North America.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

NP Aerospace is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, colour, national origin, gender, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. All employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We are also fully committed to supporting the Defence Community and actively advertise roles on Defence specific platforms such as CTP, Force Families, Forces Employment Charity, and Veterans Job Board.

Data Privacy

NP Aerospace respects the privacy of all applicants. Personal information provided during the application process will be treated in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable data protection laws.

Please note

If successful, you will be required to sign theOfficial Secrets Act and successfully pass the necessary checks before you can begin your employment with NP Aerospace.