Manufacturing Engineer - Advanced Manufacturing & Automation

Safran; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company performance bonus scheme

Pension scheme - up to 10% employer

Private medical insurance

Health cash plan

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible benefits programme

Structured training & progression

Job summary

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world-class centre for design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight control solutions. You will define, develop and implement advanced manufacturing technologies to enhance capability, efficiency and competitiveness across the business.

As technical lead, you will drive roadmaps, feasibility studies and trials, ensuring production readiness and successful industrialisation.

Qualifications

• Degree or apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field.
• Experience developing and implementing new manufacturing technologies or automation solutions.
• Strong understanding of process validation, capability studies, and industrialisation.
• Experience leading trials, proof-of-concept activities, and production implementation.
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies.
• Ability to build business cases and support capital investment justification.
• Strong data analysis and decision-making capability.
• Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Act as the technical authority for advanced manufacturing technologies and production systems.
• Define technology roadmaps and identify opportunities to improve manufacturing capability, flexibility, efficiency, and competitiveness.
• Lead feasibility studies, trials, proof-of-concept activities, technology validation, and readiness assessments.
• Support NPI activities and ensure manufacturing technology requirements are incorporated into production systems.
• Lead the introduction of new technologies into production and conduct capability and validation activities.
• Drive automation, robotics, digitalisation, connected manufacturing, and Smart Factory initiatives.
• Lead data-driven improvement activities

Skills

Mechanical Eng

Manufacturing Eng

Automation

Process Validation

Capability Studies

Industrialisation

Lean Manufacturing

Data Analysis

Stakeholder Mgmt

Cross-functional Colab

Education

Mechanical/Manufacturing Eng degree

Job description

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible.

Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

About Safran Actuation Systems UK

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world class centre for the design, manufacture and support of cutting-edge actuation and flight control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

Your Role

You will be responsible for defining, developing, and implementing advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance capability, efficiency, flexibility, and competitiveness across the Actuation business. Acting as the technical expert for advanced production systems, you will lead the evaluation, validation, and deployment of new manufacturing methods, equipment, automation, robotics, and digital technologies. You will define technology roadmaps, lead feasibility studies, trials and proof-of-concept activities, and support business cases and capital investment justification. You will ensure new technologies are aligned with product requirements, manufacturing processes, and strategic objectives, with risks mitigated through validation, capability studies, and technology readiness assessments. You will support the transition of new technologies from concept through industrialisation and into production, ensuring operational readiness, knowledge transfer, and process documentation.

Overall, you will provide technical leadership in advanced production systems, accelerate technology adoption, reduce technical risk for future programmes, and deliver sustainable improvements in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and manufacturing capability.

Key Responsibilities

Production Systems & Technology Development

• Act as the technical authority for advanced manufacturing technologies and production systems.
• Define technology roadmaps and identify opportunities to improve manufacturing capability, flexibility, efficiency, and competitiveness.
• Lead feasibility studies, trials, proof-of-concept activities, technology validation, and readiness assessments.

Industrialisation & Production Readiness

• Support NPI activities and ensure manufacturing technology requirements are incorporated into production systems.
• Lead the introduction of new technologies into production and conduct capability and validation activities.

Automation, Digital Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Drive automation, robotics, digitalisation, connected manufacturing, and Smart Factory initiatives.
• Lead data-driven improvement activities

But what else?

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you-both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary
• Company performance bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Flexible benefits programme (buy & sell holiday allowance, discounted gym memberships, Maternity/ adoption leave- up to 52 weeks, first 26 weeks at full pay, subsequent 26 at 50% (basic pay) and Paternity/Non-Pregnant Parent/ Co-adopter leave 4 weeks full pay)
• Structured training & opportunities to progress

We understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone. We know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert. We encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process that may better facilitate your participation.

Why Safran?

• A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.
• Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger. We know that a fulfilling work environment is a key driver for innovative ideas and team success.
• Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.
• Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we'll support you to make them a reality.
• A culture of excellence: Join a team that values collaboration, integrity, and continuous improvement. Whatever your background, together we aim for excellence.

Get involved:

Essential:

• Degree or apprentice trained in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field
• Experience developing and implementing new manufacturing technologies or automation solutions
• Strong understanding of process validation, capability studies, and industrialisation principles
• Experience leading trials, proof-of-concept activities, and production implementation
• Knowledge of lean manufacturing and structured problem-solving methodologies
• Ability to build business cases and support capital investment justification
• Strong data analysis and decision-making capability
• Effective stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills

Desirable:

• Experience in regulated or safety-critical manufacturing environments (aerospace, automotive, or similar) desirable
• Experience mentoring or supporting the development of junior engineers or apprentices
• Experience of Implementing digital and Automated systems