Automation Engineer

Southco, Inc.; Worcester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Southco, Inc. in the UK is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer (NPD) to lead new product introductions from concept through Start of Production and into post-launch stabilization.

You will collaborate with design, quality, supply chain and manufacturing to deliver on time, to budget and to the required quality, using APQP, PFMEA and DFM/DFA.

The role requires hands-on engineering with practical solutions and a track record in injection moulding tooling and NPD/NPI environments.

Qualifications

• HND/HNC or degree in mechanical, manufacturing or plastics engineering (or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing engineering role.
• Direct involvement in injection moulding tooling programmes.
• Experience in an NPD or NPI environment (preferred).
• Good working knowledge of CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Lead the introduction of new products from concept through SOP and post-launch stabilisation.
• Collaborate with design, quality, supply chain and manufacturing to hit time, budget and quality targets.
• Apply APQP, PFMEA and DFM/DFA to ensure Right First-Time introductions.
• Manage tooling feasibility, cost, and tooling supply for plastics injection moulding.

Skills

NPD/NPI experience

Project coordination

Hands-on engineering mindset

Education

HND/HNC or degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Plastics Engineering

Tools

CAD tools (NX/SolidWorks)

Injection moulding tooling management

Job description

With over 70 years of engineering excellence and more than 3000 employees in 20 countries, Southco is a global leader for the manufacturing of engineered access solutions, products that you and thousands of others interact with every day. Our products form what we call "touch points", such as locks, latches, fasteners, hinges, handles and many other products that serve virtually hundreds of industries worldwide.

About the role

The Manufacturing Engineer (NPD) is a hands-on technical role supporting the introduction of new products from concept through to Start of Production (SOP) and into post-launch stabilisation. You'll work closely with design, quality, supply chain and manufacturing teams to deliver new products on time, to budget and to the required quality standard.

The successful candidate will be a well-rounded manufacturing engineer with broad experience across the NPI lifecycle, including processes in engineering, assembly, supply chain coordination and quality tools such as APQP and PFMEA. A solid working knowledge of plastic injection mould tooling is essential — managing the tooling supply process, assessing feasibility and cost, and applying DFM/DFA principles to support Right First-Time introductions. A practical understanding of assembly processes and manufacturing methods is equally important.

The engineer will be expected to take a hands-on approach, and to bring practical solutions to engineering challenge.

What we're looking for

• HND/HNC or degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Plastics Engineering (or equivalent)
• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing engineering role
• Direct involvement in injection moulding tooling programmes
• Experience in an NPD or NPI environment (preferred)
• Good working knowledge of CAD tools (NX, SolidWorks or equivalent.

So why join us

Southco employees enjoy an excellent work/life balance, globally competitive compensation, and global and local connections with colleagues from around world who share the same vision and passion. Being part of the Southco family means being part of a success story that spans for almost a century and is still being written by people just like you today.

At Southco our employees are at the heart of what we do, we’re a family and strive to maintain our culture.