Manufacturing NPI Engineer

ARCA; West of England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days’ annual leave

Contributory pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Virtual GP

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

ARCA is seeking a Manufacturing NPI Engineer to turn prototype and pilot builds into reliable, repeatable, cost-effective manufacture. This is an office-based role in Bristol, with occasional planned supplier visits.

The ideal candidate has an engineering degree or equivalent practical experience, with strong skills in interpreting drawings, BOMs, and build documentation, plus practical problem-solving and excellent spreadsheet abilities.

Qualifications

• An engineering degree or equivalent practical experience.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of materials, specifications and build documentation.
• Practical problem-solving skills and an interest in repeatable, scalable manufacture.
• Confidence working with suppliers and across office-based engineering and manufacturing environments.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and clear communication of findings.
• Access to transport for occasional supplier visits.

Responsibilities

• Support new product introduction from prototype through to outsourced production.
• Work with design engineers to improve design for manufacture, serviceability, tooling and cost.
• Assess suppliers and component options against capability, quality, cost, lead time and scalability.
• Define jigs, fixtures, work instructions, test requirements and process controls.
• Support build trials and improvement projects to increase yield and process stability.
• Investigate non-conformances with root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Use spreadsheets to develop cost models, supplier comparisons, manufacturing trackers and reports.

Skills

Engineering problem solving

Supplier communication

Spreadsheet skills

Interpreting drawings & BOMs

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

BOM management

Job description

ARCA is supporting a growing clean technology business with the appointment of a Manufacturing NPI Engineer. The successful candidate will help turn prototype and pilot builds into reliable, repeatable and cost-effective manufacture.

This is an opportunity for an engineer at an early stage of their career, or someone bringing relevant experience from a technician, quality or production engineering background. You'll work closely with design engineers, suppliers and a contract manufacturing partner, combining practical problem-solving with detailed engineering and manufacturing documentation.

The role

• Support new product introduction from prototype and pilot builds through to controlled outsourced production.
• Work with design engineers to improve design for manufacture and assembly, serviceability, tooling and cost.
• Assess suppliers and component options against capability, quality, cost, lead time and scalability.
• Help define jigs, fixtures, work instructions, test requirements and process controls.
• Support build trials and improvement projects to increase yield, reduce rework and improve process stability.
• Investigate supplier, build and product non-conformances, supporting root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Use spreadsheets to develop cost models, supplier comparisons, manufacturing trackers and clear reports.

What we’re looking for

• An engineering degree or equivalent practical experience. Apprenticeship, HNC/HND, technician, quality and production engineering routes are welcome.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, bills of materials, specifications and build documentation.
• Practical problem-solving skills and an interest in repeatable, scalable manufacture.
• Confidence working with suppliers and across office-based engineering and manufacturing environments.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and the ability to communicate findings clearly.
• Access to your own transport for occasional planned day visits to suppliers and manufacturing partners.

Exposure to DFM/DFA, PFMEA, control plans, 8D, 5 Whys, lean manufacturing, tooling or process validation would be useful. Experience with electro-mechanical products, external manufacturing partners, ERP/MRP systems or BOM management would also be relevant.

Location and benefits

This is an office-based role in Bristol, with occasional planned supplier and manufacturing partner visits. The role supports outsourced production rather than an internal production line.

Benefits include 25 days' annual leave plus your birthday off, professional development opportunities, a contributory pension, cycle-to-work scheme, virtual GP and employee assistance programme. Group life, income protection and critical illness cover are available subject to eligibility and scheme terms.

If you enjoy understanding how products are built and finding practical ways to improve quality, cost and consistency, we'd welcome a conversation.