Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Function

BAE Systems; Askam-in-Furness; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense company in Askam-in-Furness is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to lead and coordinate cross-discipline projects that enhance build performance. This role offers significant influence over operations and project delivery in a cutting-edge engineering environment, with support for professional growth and relocation assistance. Candidates should have a relevant degree or HNC, alongside project management and leadership experience.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health benefits

Green car scheme

Private health plans

Shopping discounts

Qualifications

• Strong track record of delivering results on time and within budget.
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status is desirable.
• Leadership or management qualifications are beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a skilled team across various projects.
• Provide expert technical guidance and resolve complex issues.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and performance.

Skills

Project management

Analytical skills

Technical guidance

Continuous improvement

Education

Relevant degree or HNC with significant Manufacturing experience

Tools

Engineering tools and software

Job description

Overview

This Principal Manufacturing Engineering - Function role leads a skilled team delivering cross-discipline projects that directly impact the build performance of world-class products. You will drive the development and implementation of manufacturing methods that meet the highest standards of safety, quality, cost, and delivery across the full product lifecycle. There is significant scope to influence operations, manage resources, and ensure alignment between engineering design and manufacturing execution, with opportunities for strategic impact and professional growth in a dynamic and critical area of the business. Relocation support across all Submarine roles is available, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate a team, ensuring delivery against business objectives, including training, development, and support toward professional accreditation (CEng/IEng/EngTech)
• Provide expert technical guidance, leveraging product/process knowledge and innovation to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement
• Oversee project delivery, managing schedules, budgets, performance, configuration control, and governance prior to release
• Chair technical meetings and reviews, ensuring alignment with Manufacturing Engineering deliverables and quality standard
• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, applying agreed tools and systems (eg Life Cycle Management, production tools) to meet project goals
• Act as technical lead and signatory, supporting audits, peer reviews, resource planning, and technology business cases

Qualifications

• Relevant degree with some industry experience, or HNC with significant Manufacturing experience
• Strong track record of delivering results on time and within budget, with a focus on safety
• Chartered or Incorporated Engineer status (CEng/IEng) is desirable, or actively working towards accreditation
• Leadership or management training/qualifications, or a willingness to undertake them
• Project management experience, with the ability to lead and deliver small-scale projects
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to solve complex problems and proficiency in relevant engineering tools and software

This is an exciting opportunity to play a pivotal leadership role in shaping the future of manufacturing within a highly complex, cutting-edge engineering environment. As a Principal Manufacturing Engineering - Function, you\'ll head up a skilled team delivering cross-discipline projects that directly impact the build performance of world-class products. You\'ll drive the development and implantation of manufacturing methods that meet the highest standards of safety, quality, cost, and delivery across the full product lifecycle. With significant scope to influence operations, manage resources, and ensure alignment between engineering design and manufacturing execution, this role offers both strategic impact and professional growth in a dynamic and critical area of the business. We offer relocation support across all Submarine roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

All applicants must at a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically leave 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

We are committed to an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity and merit, and enables individuals to fulfil their potential. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments. Some roles at BAE Systems are subject to security and export control restrictions based on nationality or place of birth.

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans and a range of flexible health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts; you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.