Manufacturing Technical Lead

Thompson Aero; Craigavon; On-site; GBP 48,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plan

Contributory Pension Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Dedicated employee parking

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Thompson Aero Seating in Craigavon, UK, is seeking a Manufacturing Technical Lead to drive improvements across the composites department and train stakeholders to build a skilled cross-functional team.

You will oversee tooling, quality, and process documentation, lead RCCA-driven changes, and ensure on-time delivery while upholding health, safety, and manufacturing standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in a regulated Lean engineering/manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of composite manufacturing: lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming, bonding.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
• Working knowledge of MRP systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; resilient and adaptable.

Responsibilities

• Support composite manufacturing operations including material preparation, lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming, bonding and assembly processes.
• Train other stakeholders and maintain documentation.
• Identify training gaps and implement training plans to address.
• Use problem solving skills to maximise process capability and eliminate waste throughout composite manufacturing operations.
• Act as first point of contact on the shop floor for all technical issues including quality, process, tooling and equipment concerns.
• Liaise with Manufacturing Engineering to discuss improvements that add value and keep procedures up to date.
• Check and maintain tooling and equipment to ensure functionality and liaise with Maintenance regarding issues affecting quality and production.
• Understand specifications using drawings, process specs and manufacturing instructions.
• Inspect and measure finished products and determine if processes completed properly.
• Support process audits and ensure compliance with manufacturing standards and customer requirements.
• Liaise with Lead/Manager to ensure high standards and on-time delivery.
• Maintain housekeeping to ensure a clean and safe workplace.
• Ensure Health & Safety standards are adhered to.
• Escalate issues to management as required.
• Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment and storage areas.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Training others

Analytical skills

MRP experience

Job description

• Earnings:

The Manufacturing Technical Lead will be responsible for problem solving and improvements within the Composites Department, with a key focus on trainingother stakeholders to ensure the department is equipped with a skilled cross functional team.

The successful candidate will be required to work the following work pattern:

Day Shift - 06:30 - 14:45 - Monday to Friday.

Responsibilities

• Support composite manufacturing operations including material preparation, lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming, bonding and assembly processes
• Train other stakeholders and maintain documentation
• Identify training gaps and implement training plans to address
• Use problem solving skills to maximise process capability and eliminate waste throughout composite manufacturing operations
• Act as first point of contact on the shop floor for all technical issues which include quality, process, tooling and equipment related concerns
• Liaise with Manufacturing Engineering to discuss improvements that add value to composite manufacturing processes andensure processes and Work Instructions are kept up to date
• Check and maintain tooling and equipment to ensure functionality and liaise with the Maintenance Department regarding issues affecting quality and production
• Understand specifications of the task at hand using engineering drawings, process specifications and manufacturing instructions
• Inspect and measure finished products and determine if the process has been completed properly
• Support process audits and ensure compliance with manufacturing standards and customer requirements
• Liaise with Lead/Manager to ensure high standards of work and on-time delivery in accordance with business needs
• Maintain housekeeping standards to ensure a clean and safe workplace
• Ensure Health & Safety standards are adhered to
• Escalate issues to management as required
• Clean and maintain supplies, tools, equipment and storage areas to ensure compliance with quality and safety regulations
• Support introduction of new composite products, materials and manufacturing processes
• Drive continuous improvement through RCCA activities and process standardisation

Reward

• 33 days annual leave (Increase after 5 years' service)
• Health cash plan
• Contributory Salary Sacrifice Pension Scheme
• Holiday Purchase Scheme - Salary Sacrifice
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Competitive enhanced Maternity and Paternity pay
• IVF & Assisted Conception Policy
• Women in Business - CorporateMember
• Service Awards
• Local charity /sponsorship activities
• Dedicated employee parking
• Discounted Gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities

Requirements

• Experience in a highly regulated Lean Engineering/Manufacturing environment
• Good working knowledge and experience of composite manufacturing processes including lay-up, vacuum bagging, curing, trimming and bonding
• Experience working from engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation
• Working knowledge of MRP
• Adaptable to change and varying situations
• Ability to show resilience and a flexible approach
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Previous experience of production planning
• Previous experience of training other stakeholders and documenting progress

We reserve theright to enhance criteria on shortlisting.

Thompson Aero Seating is an Equal Opportunities employer.

The closing date for applications is the 4th October2026 at 17:00.