Manufacturing Engineer

IF1200 GE Aviation Systems Limited; Gloucester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Non-contributory Pension

Life Assurance

Group income protection

Private medical cover

Job summary

Dowty, a GE Aerospace company in Gloucestershire, is hiring a Manufacturing Engineer to turn design intent into robust, repeatable production processes, and to ensure the shop floor is equipped, trained and supported. You’ll work with design, quality, planning, operations and the shop floor to deliver safe, quality outcomes.

You will own process development, RCCA activities, trials, and data-driven decision making, while collaborating across the team to maintain SQDC focus and continuous

Qualifications

• Develop and improve manufacturing processes from raw material to finished product.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods to manufacturing issues.
• Collaborate with design, quality, planning and shop floor teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and improve manufacturing processes across the finishing line and related operations.
• Solve shop floor problems with data-driven solutions.
• Support RCCA activities and participate in cross-functional forums.
• Validate processes through trials and development parts.
• Collaborate with design to ensure manufacturability early in development.
• Create clear work instructions and routings aligned with specs.
• Develop process records and use statistics to spot trends.
• Define equipment, tooling and fixtures needs for each design iteration.
• Act as SME for equipment and layout decisions.

Skills

Process engineering

Lean Six Sigma

8D problem solving

DMAIC methodology

Reading engineering drawings

Statistical analysis

Education

Engineering qualification at HNC level or above

Tools

CAD (Catia/AutoCAD)

Process documentation

Job description

Job Description Summary

At Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, we design, manufacture, repair and overhaul propeller systems for Military and Civil applications from our state-of-the-art facility in Gloucestershire, UK. Our propeller expertise is helping inform the development of Open Fan technology through the CFM RISE program. As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will join a close-knit team of process engineers working across a broad range of manufacturing processes, including support for our finishing line, including injection moulding, bonding and spray coating applications. You will help turn design intent into robust, repeatable production processes, and make sure the people on the shop floor are equipped, trained and supported to deliver them. You will work closely with design, quality, planning, operations and the shop floor, and report into an experienced lead engineer who will help you get up to speed. Curiosity, a hands-on approach and a structured way of solving problems matter as much as the technical detail. The focus of your work will be shaped around your experience and the needs of the team, so we are looking for someone who enjoys learning and is comfortable with variety.

What you’ll do

• Own and improve your processes. You will support the development, establishment and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, including those on our finishing line, from raw material through to finished product, placing Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) at the centre of every decision.
• Solve problems on the shop floor. You will work directly with manufacturing, quality and engineering colleagues to investigate and resolve technical issues, using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, Red X, Lean and Six Sigma, and presenting data-driven solutions.
• Support root cause corrective action. You will contribute to Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities and represent the team in wider forums where required.
• Validate through hands-on trials. You will take an active part in process trials and the manufacture of development parts, so that new and changed processes are proven, capable and ready to scale.
• Work with design. You will collaborate with design engineering so that manufacturability is considered early, and feed back manufacturing challenges and lessons learned.
• Write it down and train it. You will author and continually improve clear, concise work instructions and routings aligned with technical specifications, and make sure operators are trained and supported through any change in process or technique.
• Use data to make decisions. You will develop process records and data collection, and use statistical techniques to identify trends and emerging issues before they affect delivery.
• Own tooling and process documentation. You will define and maintain equipment, tooling and spares requirements for your processes, and design and acquire the tooling and fixtures needed for each design iteration.
• Be the process voice for equipment and layout. You will act as a process subject matter expert (SME), advising on equipment, installation and layout activity led by other teams, and providing technical process input through installation and commissioning.
• Keep production flowing. You will develop and propose salvage and rework solutions that maintain compliance while keeping product moving.
• Contribute to quality planning. You will contribute to APQP and FMEA activities, helping to cascade critical characteristics into control plans and quality systems.
• Improve year on year. You will help drive improvements in turnaround time, yield, cycle time and defects per unit, and be a point of contact for colleagues on your processes.
• Work as part of the team. You will contribute to a mixed-skill team in a self-motivated, pragmatic way, and work with suppliers and vendors where required.

What you’ll bring

Who you are

Curious, adaptable and keen to learn new processes, technologies and ways of working. Hands-on and comfortable on the shop floor, building trust with the people who run the processes. Safety-first, with a commitment to a safe and compliant working environment. A clear communicator, in conversation, in writing and when presenting. A structured problem solver with a sound analytical approach.

What you know

• A baseline understanding of structured manufacturing engineering in a larger organisation, such as process development, work instructions, routings and process validation.
• An engineering qualification at HNC level or above, or equivalent knowledge and experience in a manufacturing engineering environment.
• Working knowledge of a problem-solving methodology (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, DMAIC, Red X).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs and technical specifications.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and how to comply with them.
• Highly desirable experience Composite knowledge, which is very highly valued. It is not essential, but experience of composite materials and manufacturing processes will put you at a clear advantage and will help you make an impact quickly.
• Experience of finishing or polymer processing, such as spraying, coating or injection moulding.
• Experience creating work instructions and routings in aerospace or another regulated industry.
• Familiarity with APQP, FMEA and control plans.
• Experience of tooling and fixture design or development, and of CAD (Catia, AutoCAD or similar).
• Understanding of GD&T.

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

• Non-contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell
• Security Clearance Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security.

BPSS Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes

At GE Aerospace, we invent the future of flight, lift people up, and bring them home safely. We are a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and integrated systems for commercial and military aircraft. At GE Aerospace, respect for people is core to our culture and commitment to FLIGHT DECK, our proprietary lean operating model. We attract, develop, and retain industry-leading talent from all backgrounds and cultivate communities where people are respected and empowered to reach their fullest potential. For the people of GE Aerospace, their work isn't just a job. It's their passion and purpose. We work and win as one team, accountable to each other and our customers, and we are always finding a better way to climb higher together. We were meant to fly.