Manufacturing Research Engineer

Matchtech; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment specialist in the UK is seeking a Contract Manufacturing Engineer to support diverse projects across multiple sectors. This role requires expertise in manufacturing processes, quality assurance, and strong process documentation skills. The position offers £61 - £65 per hour for a contract duration of 6 months, with potential extensions. Ideal candidates will have Lean or Six Sigma experience and should be able to work independently in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• Broad hands-on experience in manufacturing processes.
• Experience as a Quality Engineer preferred.
• Strong expertise in PFMEAs and SOIs.

Responsibilities

• Solve complex technical engineering tasks aligned to project needs.
• Guide development of process documentation including PFMEAs and SOIs.
• Provide technical direction to Research Engineers.

Skills

Hands-on experience across multiple manufacturing processes

Quality perspective in manufacturing

Process documentation expertise

Lean and/or Six Sigma experience or qualifications

Job description

We are looking for a Contract Manufacturing Engineer (Research Engineer or Advanced Research Engineer level) to support project delivery across a range of sectors.

Key skills required for this role

Manufacturing Research Engineer

Important

Manufacturing Research Engineer

Contract Manufacturing Engineer (Inside IR35)

Location: Bristol (2 days per week on site)
Duration: 6 months with potential to increase to 9 or 12 months.
Rate: £61 - £65 per hour (Umbrella - Inside IR35 only)

About the Role

We are looking for a Contract Manufacturing Engineer (Research Engineer or Advanced Research Engineer level) to support project delivery across a range of sectors. This is a broad and dynamic role where you will work across multiple projects, clients, and technical domains - not limited to a single application area such as aerospace.

You will provide expert technical input on manufacturing processes, process documentation, and quality-oriented engineering practices, helping to shape innovative, future-ready solutions in line with the NCC's technology roadmaps.

Role Purpose

• 
  Solve and appraise complex and non-routine technical engineering tasks aligned to project needs.
• 
  Support capability development across a diverse range of manufacturing technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• 
  Lead or appraise technical engineering tasks involving mathematical and scientific analysis.
• 
  Guide the development of process documentation including PFMEAs and Standard Operating Instructions (SOIs).
• 
  Conduct or assess literature reviews to guide project direction using NCC and industry best practices.
• 
  Provide technical direction to Research Engineers (REs).
• 
  Appraise and justify innovative engineering approaches, including medium-to-high risk solutions.
• 
  Construct and review technical documentation and project proposals involving cross-disciplinary inputs.
• 
  Align technology development with medium-term roadmaps to build engineering capabilities.

Contractor Requirements

We're specifically looking for a contractor who:

• 
  Has broad hands-on experience across multiple manufacturing processes (not just aerospace), and is comfortable jumping between projects and priorities.
• 
  Understands manufacturing from a quality perspective - prior experience as a Quality Engineer would be beneficial.
• 
  Has strong process documentation expertise, particularly in PFMEAs and SOIs.
• 
  Brings Lean and/or Six Sigma experience or qualifications.
• 
  Can work independently, adapt quickly, and operate with significant technical autonomy.

Matchtech is a STEM Recruitment Specialist, with over 40 years’ experience