Production and Continuous Improvement Engineer

Benchmark Recruitment; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

Life insurance

Cycle to work scheme

On-site parking

Job summary

Benchmark Recruitment is seeking an experienced Production and Continuous Improvement Engineer for a Sheffield-based precision manufacturing environment. The role bridges the technical office and shop floor, driving practical improvements across laser cutting, CNC and finishing processes.

You will lead process improvements, support NPI, and embed visual management tools while using CAD/CAM and CAM/Nesting software to cut setup times and waste.

Qualifications

• Experience in production engineering or manufacturing engineering roles in precision environments.
• Proven hands‑on ability to bridge shop floor and technical offices.
• Strong 3D CAD skills and experience with CAM/NESTING software.
• Knowledge of SMED, 5S, Poka‑Yoke and Value Stream Mapping.
• Ability to lead improvement projects from idea to implementation.

Responsibilities

• Create drawings and 3D models for new and existing products using CAD/CAM software.
• Support New Product Introduction, product development and reverse engineering projects.
• Design tooling, fixtures, and inspection jigs to improve setup Times and efficiency.
• Troubleshoot machining and inspection issues on the shop floor.
• Lead continuous improvement projects and embed standard processes.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

SMED

5S

Poka-yoke

Value Stream Mapping

3D CAD

CAM software

CNC machining

precision grinding

problem-solving

Education

HNC/HND or Degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Fusion 360

Job description

Production and Continuous Improvement Engineer

The Benefits: Company pension, life insurance, cycle to work scheme and on-site parking

The Hours: Full time (fully office based)

We are delighted to be recruiting for an experienced Production & Continuous Improvement Engineer to join a well-established Sheffield manufacturing business. This is an exciting opportunity to join a traditional manufacturing environment that has invested significantly in modern machinery, technology and process improvement over recent years. The role is a hands-on position, bridging the gap between the technical office and the shop floor, and would suit someone who enjoys solving practical manufacturing challenges, improving processes and seeing the impact of their work first-hand. You will work across production engineering, new product introduction and continuous improvement, with a real opportunity to influence how products and processes are developed across the business.

Reporting to the Operations Manager and working closely with the Senior Team Leader, you will support both day-to-day production and longer-term manufacturing improvements. The manufacturing environment is varied, incorporating a mix of repeat production and bespoke specialist products across processes including laser cutting, CNC and conventional grinding, CNC milling, EDM wire erosion, heat treatment, hard facing and press work. Your responsibilities will include: Creating drawings and 3D models for new and existing products using CAD/CAM software. Supporting new product introduction, product development and reverse engineering projects. Designing and implementing tooling, workholding, clamping jigs and inspection fixtures. Improving manufacturing set-up times and overall production efficiency. Providing technical support to production operators and helping troubleshoot machining and inspection issues. Leading continuous improvement projects across the shop floor. Using SMED techniques to reduce downtime across key or bottleneck operations. Analysing scrap and production data to identify opportunities to improve yield and reduce waste. Developing and embedding Standard Operating Procedures across production. Introducing visual management tools to improve consistency and communication across the shop floor. Implementing mistake-proofing and process controls to improve product quality. Reviewing factory layouts, process flows and production waste to identify and implement improvements. Working collaboratively with production colleagues to ensure improvements are practical, sustainable and embedded into day-to-day operations.

We are looking for an experienced Production, Manufacturing or Process Engineer with a strong practical understanding of precision manufacturing. This is very much a hands-on role, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable spending time on the shop floor, working alongside operators and getting involved in the detail of how products are manufactured. You will ideally have: Previous experience working as a Production Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer or within a similar technical manufacturing role. Experience within precision machining, engineering or a comparable manufacturing environment. A practical understanding of CNC machining and precision grinding. An understanding of laser profiling or nesting processes. Experience working with a variety of engineering materials, including hardened steels, stainless steel, tool steels and similar specialist materials. Strong 3D CAD skills. Experience using offline CAM or nesting software. Practical experience implementing Lean or Continuous Improvement methodologies within a manufacturing environment. Experience using tools such as SMED, 5S, Poka-Yoke and Value Stream Mapping. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify practical manufacturing improvements. The confidence to work closely with production teams and communicate technical information clearly. A proactive approach and the ability to take ownership of improvement projects from idea through to implementation.

The following would be advantageous: An HNC, HND or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline. Equivalent time-served engineering or vocational experience. Experience using Fusion 360. Experience within precision grinding, specialist tooling or wear-component manufacturing. Experience supporting new product introduction within a manufacturing environment. Experience working with specialist steels or hard-facing materials.

You will be joining an established Sheffield manufacturing business that combines traditional engineering expertise with ongoing investment in modern manufacturing technology. The business produces a varied range of specialist products, meaning no two projects are necessarily the same, and there is a genuine opportunity for the successful person to influence production processes and introduce meaningful improvements. This would be an excellent opportunity for an experienced Manufacturing or Production Engineer who enjoys being close to the shop floor and wants a role where their ideas, technical expertise and process improvements can make a visible difference.