Process Improvement Engineer

Héroux-Devtek Inc.; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Assurance 4x salary

Company pension with contributions

Medical benefits from day one

23 days holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

Héroux-Devtek Inc. in Nottingham is seeking a Process Improvement Engineer to drive Lean initiatives across engineering and manufacturing.

The role focuses on improving efficiency, reducing NPI lead times, enhancing product quality, and supporting aerospace manufacturing processes through process optimization. You will lead improvements to increase productivity, optimize machining processes, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve first-pass yield and reduce defects.

Qualifications

• Engineering apprenticeship or relevant engineering qualification.
• Experience in aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining processes (3, 4, 5-axis milling, turning, mill-turn).
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis methods (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical data.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems (SAP desirable).
• Familiarity with CATIA V5, Vericut, or SolidWorks.
• Strong project management, data analysis, and cross-functional communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Optimize aerospace manufacturing processes to improve throughput and reduce cycle times.
• Support and industrialize NPI activities, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flows, and Work Instructions.
• Identify and implement process, programming, and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to improve first-pass yield and reduce defects.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Support first article inspections and production validation activities.
• Manage process improvement and CAPEX projects.
• Promote a safe working environment and ensure compliance with company standards.

Skills

Lean Manufacturing

Project management

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Root cause analysis

Reading engineering drawings

Process optimization

Quality improvement

Education

Engineering apprenticeship or relevant engineering qualification

Tools

CATIA V5

Vericut

SolidWorks

SAP / ERP/MES systems

Job description

Nottingham
Urban Road
Kirkby in Ashfield
Nottingham, NT NG17 8AP, GBR

Description

Heroux-Devtek, the world's 3rd largest producer of landing gear, serves the civil and military aerospace markets from production facilities in North America, Europe and United Kingdom. The Company's longevity, flexibility, and track record for the development and implementation of innovative production systems have distinguished it as a leader in the domain. With its most recent acquisitions, Heroux-Devtek is bolstering its status as one of the foremost landing gear, actuation and hydraulic system designers and manufacturers in the global aerospace industry.
Division info:

Nottingham landing gear operations span a 48,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to the manufacture of small to medium landing gear components.

Recognised as the UK Technical Centre of Excellence, the site specialises in precision machining of aluminium, titanium, and hardened steels. Equipped with advanced technologies, the facility leverages the latest manufacturing innovations and software to drive ongoing business growth and ensure operational excellence.

Job Summary

The Process Improvement Engineer is responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives across engineering and manufacturing operations. The role focuses on improving efficiency, reducing New Product Introduction (NPI) lead times, enhancing product quality, and supporting aerospace manufacturing processes through Lean methodologies and process optimization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead continuous improvement projects to increase productivity and reduce waste.
• Optimize aerospace manufacturing processes to improve throughput and reduce cycle times.
• Support and industrialize NPI activities, including PFMEA, Control Plans, Process Flows, and Work Instructions.
• Identify and implement process, programming, and manufacturing best practices.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to improve first-pass yield and reduce defects.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Support first article inspections and production validation activities.
• Manage process improvement and CAPEX projects.
• Promote a safe working environment and ensure compliance with company standards.

Skills & Requirements

• Engineering apprenticeship or relevant engineering qualification.
• Experience within aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining processes (3, 4, 5-axis milling, turning, mill-turn).
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools (5S, Kaizen, Value Stream Mapping).
• Experience with Root Cause Analysis methods (8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical data.
• Experience with ERP/MES systems (SAP experience desirable).
• Familiarity with manufacturing software such as CATIA V5, Vericut, or SolidWorks.
• Strong project management, data analysis, and cross-functional communication skills.

What we Offer?

• Competitive salaries tied to performance, reviewed annually.
• Standard 38.5-hour week, Annual leave 25 days + bank holidays
• Generous group pension plan with up to 7.5% employer contribution
• Life Assurance 4 x salary
• Company funded medical benefits package from day one
• Access to retail and gym discounts
• Loyalty bonuses
• Supportive environment where you can learn and grow
• A culture where diversity is valued, empowering individuals to contribute positively to the organization's success.
• Team building social events

Héroux-Devtek aims to grow as an industry by meeting customer expectations through the dedication and commitment of its people. Heroux-Devtek emphasizes a culture cantered on the "4 Rs": Respect, Responsibility, Recognition, and Resilience. This entails fostering quality relationships with customers, colleagues, and suppliers, ensuring quality delivery and fairness, acknowledging employee achievements, and promoting flexibility, openness, and tenacity among employees. This approach contributes to a stable workforce and reinforces an entrepreneurial spirit, guiding employees towards shared objectives.

Equal Opportunity to Employees: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any of these characteristics.

User privacy is paramount, we are committed to safeguarding your personal data in compliance with GDPR regulations.