Manufacturing Engineer

SYOS Aerospace; Fareham; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

SYOS Aerospace designs and manufactures advanced autonomous systems for air, land, sea and beyond. The Manufacturing Engineer will establish production processes from ground up, translating designs into repeatable operations across multiple cells.

You’ll lead PFMEA development, APQP-informed controls and hands-on tooling decisions on the factory floor. The role emphasizes trial builds, line balancing, and continuous improvement, with collaboration across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and

Qualifications

• Experience developing process flows, manufacturing documentation and work instructions from the ground up.
• PFMEA experience and understanding of production controls and control plans.
• Experience planning, running and closing out production trial runs or new line introductions.
• Hands-on experience in wire harness, composite structures, or engine/complex mechanical assembly.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and BOMs, routings and work orders.
• APQP principles such as EN/AS 9145, AIAG or equivalent.
• Ability to read engineering designs and translate them into efficient production processes.
• BPSS requirements understanding is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Translate engineering designs and NPI handover packages into production-ready process flows, assembly sequences, workstation layouts and manufacturing documentation.
• Develop PFMEA and apply APQP to identify risks and controls.
• Develop work instructions and specify tooling, fixtures and test equipment.
• Plan and run trial builds, capture cycle times and ramp up.
• Work with Quality to qualify special processes and develop build competency.
• Assess impact of design changes and ensure alignment with released designs.
• Drive continuous improvement through takt time, line balancing and waste reduction.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering experience

Process flow development

PFMEA development

APQP principles

Tooling, fixtures, testing equipment

Production trial planning

Lean manufacturing basics

BPSS requirements

ERP/MRP familiarity

BOMs, routings, work orders

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

AS9100 familiarity

Job description

Build the Future of Autonomous Systems

SYOS designs and manufactures advanced uncrewed systems across air, land, sea and subsurface. We combine intelligent engineering, AI-driven autonomy and innovative design to create next-generation vehicles operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Our mission is to extend human capability, protect people and deliver operational advantage through accessible, scalable and intelligent autonomous technology.

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer to join the founding manufacturing engineering team. This is an opportunity to help establish production processes from the ground up, supporting the transition of innovative designs into reliable, repeatable manufacturing.

About The Role

As Manufacturing Engineer, you’ll turn engineering designs and New Product Introduction (NPI) handover packages into practical, efficient production processes across a range of in-house manufacturing cells. These include wire harness manufacture, composite structures, electronics, engine and fuel system assembly and testing, and final integration.

You’ll take ownership of manufacturing processes from initial work instructions and tooling requirements through to production trial runs and ramp-up, working closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Production to ensure processes are safe, repeatable and ready for serial production.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Translate engineering designs and NPI handover packages into production-ready process flows, assembly sequences, workstation layouts and manufacturing documentation.
• Develop and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), applying APQP principles to identify risks and ensure appropriate controls are in place.
• Develop clear, practical work instructions and specify the tooling, fixtures and test equipment required for efficient and consistent production.
• Plan and run trial builds, capture cycle times, resolve issues and update manufacturing processes before serial production begins.
• Work with Quality to qualify special processes, establish operator approval requirements and develop practical build competency.
• Assess the impact of design changes, support internal PPAP requirements and ensure manufacturing documentation, tooling and processes remain aligned with released engineering designs.
• Drive continuous improvement through takt time and line balancing, bottleneck reduction, error-proofing, scrap and rework reduction, and the transfer of work into in-house production cells.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer who combines strong process engineering skills with a practical, hands-on approach to production. You’ll ideally have:

• Manufacturing engineering experience within an assembly or production environment.
• Experience developing process flows, manufacturing documentation and work instructions from the ground up.
• Proven experience authoring and maintaining PFMEAs, understanding how they inform production controls and Control Plans.
• Experience planning, running and closing out production trial runs, pilot builds or new production line introductions.
• Hands-on process experience in at least one of the following areas: wire harness manufacture, composite structures, or engine and complex mechanical assembly.
• Experience specifying tooling, fixtures and production equipment.
• Familiarity with ERP or MRP systems, including manufacturing bills of materials (BOMs), routings and work orders.
• Understanding of APQP principles, such as EN/AS 9145, AIAG or equivalent.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively across Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Production.
• A practical mindset and willingness to spend significant time on the production floor.
• Ability to meet Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) requirements.

It Would Be Advantageous If You Also Have

• Aerospace, defence or uncrewed systems manufacturing experience.
• Wire harness crimp process certification, die qualification and pull testing.
• Composite layup, bonding or cure process experience.
• Engine assembly and testing experience.
• Lean manufacturing experience, including takt time, line balancing, 5S and error-proofing.
• Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFM/DFA) review experience.
• Familiarity with AS9100.
• An engineering degree or formal manufacturing engineering qualification.

Why join SYOS?

This is an opportunity to help establish manufacturing processes and production capability at a growing UK facility, playing a key role in bringing next-generation autonomous systems from design into production.

You’ll work closely with engineers, production specialists and quality professionals to solve real-world manufacturing challenges, improve build processes and help scale production as the business grows.

At SYOS, we value collaboration, integrity, delivery and continuous improvement. We want people who take ownership, challenge existing processes and turn engineering ideas into practical, reliable solutions.

If you’re a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer who enjoys building production processes, solving technical challenges and seeing the direct impact of your work, we’d love to hear from you.