Manufacturing Engineer

Leonardo UK Ltd; England; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading aerospace and defence company is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join their team in Southampton. This site-based role includes responsibilities such as running capital projects, conducting performance reviews, and employing statistical tools for process improvement. The ideal candidate will have experience in precision mechanical assembly and a strong aptitude for process development. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package along with a hybrid working model.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Generous leave allowance

Award-winning pension scheme

Free access to mental health support

Flexible working options

Access to online learning courses

Qualifications

• Proven experience in capital equipment requirements development, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
• Strong aptitude for process development employing techniques such as Design of Experiments.

Responsibilities

• Run capital projects to introduce new production equipment.
• Conduct regular performance reviews of equipment and processes.
• Employ statistical tools and methods to stabilise and improve the process.

Skills

Experience supporting manufacture of medium volume, precision mechanical assemblies

Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing/Six-Sigma Techniques

Good general IT skills

Tools

MRP/ERP manufacturing software system (e.g. SAP)

Job description

Your impact

At Leonardo, we have a fantastic new opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineer to join the TGS Mechanical Assembly Process Engineering team in Southampton, supporting the manufacture of infra-red detector assemblies.

This is an engaging, hands-on role supporting manufacturing in a cutting-edge environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to develop your career, as the work of the group covers a diverse range of processes – combining hands-on and desk-based activities, offering a wide variety of options for potential future areas of development, dependant on the individual and business requirements.

This is a site-based role at our manufacturing facility in Southampton.

Whilst working as a Manufacturing Engineer with us you will be part of a team that will do the following:

• Run capital projects to introduce new production equipment
• Root cause analysis and problem solving, 8D, DMAIC, PFMEA etc.
• Give input to new product introduction initiatives regarding design for manufacture etc.
• Conduct regular reviews (manufacturing maturity, product cost reviews etc.)
• Monitor the performance of equipment and processes, including SPC
• Employ Statistical tools and methods to stabilise and improve the process, SPC, Cp/CpK
• Be Process Champion for selected processes
• Suggest and implement process improvements in areas of responsibility
• Write process instructions, manufacturing routings and supporting documentation
• Train operatives to perform processes correctly and document training plans
• Provide timely line support to production to ensure planned throughput is met
• Monitor yields, defects & process times
• Investigate defects and yield issues relating to manufacturing processes
• Define and carry out re-work processes where required
• Define and carry out routine TPM engineering tasks/process checks as required

Example processes supported by the team

• Mechanical assembly (projection welding, soldering, pressure bonding, gluing (including robotic automation), precision alignment etc.)
• Inspection (including equipment e.g. Optical Gauging (OGP), Co-ordinate Measuring (CMM) etc., microscopes)
• Helium BOM and Leak testing
• Wire bonding
• Projection Welding
• Blackening and Metal deposition processes
• Mechanical cutting and polishing of crystal material to fine tolerances

What you’ll bring

• We are looking for an enthusiastic, driven Manufacturing Engineer with experience supporting manufacture of medium volume, precision mechanical assemblies.
• Proven experience in capital equipment requirements development, procurement, installation and commissioning coupled with a robust aptitude for process development employing techniques such as Design of Experiments to define, optimise and implement the ideal solution.

Experience of the job responsibilities and processes described, in addition to the following, is an advantage:

• Knowledge / Experience of Lean Manufacturing/Six-Sigma Techniques and Tools
• Knowledge / Experience of Project Management Techniques
• Working in an AS9100 (or similar) accredited manufacturing facility
• Good general IT skills, with an emphasis on Microsoft Office and Excel
• Experience of using an MRP/ERP manufacturing software system e.g. SAP

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit: https://careers.uk.leonardo.com/gb/en/security-and-vetting

Why join us

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you\'re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi-days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee-led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
• Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
• Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
• Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
• Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
• Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.

For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.

Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.

At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.

Be part of something bigger - apply now!

Primary Location: GB - Southampton

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Hybrid