Production Engineer

TQR Consultancy Ltd; Highweek; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

TQR Consultancy Ltd is seeking an experienced Production Engineer to translate innovative designs into reliable manufacturing processes across its UK sites. You will drive manufacturability, assembly, testing and deployment while acting as the technical link between Engineering and Operations.

Working across two sites, you will analyse cycle times, improve layouts, support NPI and help implement DFMA reviews. The role requires hands-on problem solving and standardisation for scalable production.

Qualifications

• Experience in production/ manufacturing environments.
• Ability to develop manufacturing processes and standard methods.
• Experience supporting NPI and transition to production.
• Strong problem‑solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop, document and improve manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Support NPI and DFA/DFM reviews for new products.
• Improve production flow, layouts and setup/changeover methods.
• Provide hands-on engineering support to resolve manufacturing issues.

Skills

Production engineering

Process improvement

NPI experience

Python for tests

Tools

Autodesk CAD

Python

JTAG

Job description

At the heart of efficient production is the ability to turn innovative engineering designs into practical, reliable and scalable manufacturing solutions, as such we are seeking an experienced Production Engineer to join an expanding business where your responsibility will be developing and improving the manufacture, assembly, testing and deployment process across UK operations. This role acts as the technical link between Engineering and Operations, translating product designs into efficient, repeatable and scalable manufacturing processes.

Working across two sites, the role will improve manufacturability, production flow and capacity, support NPI and provide hands‑on engineering support to resolve manufacturing constraints and problems.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manufacturing Process Engineering:
  • Develop, document and continuously improve manufacturing and assembly processes, including methods, sequence of operations and production flow. Create and maintain work instructions, build procedures and other manufacturing documentation.
  • Develop and introduce tooling, fixtures, jigs, error‑proofing and other production aids. Support the introduction and validation of new manufacturing equipment, automation and process technology. Ensure manufacturing processes are practical, repeatable and scalable.
  • Efficiency, Capacity & Continuous Improvement Analyse cycle times, bottlenecks, constraints and non‑value‑added activity to improve throughput and productive capacity.
  • Improve workstation layouts, production flow, setup and changeover methods, and establish standard times or process measures where appropriate. Use manufacturing data and structured problem‑solving/Lean techniques to identify, prioritise and deliver measurable improvements. Ensure improvements are documented, standardised and sustained.
• New Product Introduction (NPI):
  • Work with Engineering throughout product development to ensure new products are suitable for manufacture, assembly and test.
  • Support prototype and pre‑production builds and provide practical manufacturing feedback. Support Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) reviews.
  • Define manufacturing methods, tooling, documentation, equipment and resource requirements before production release
  • Support controlled transition into full manufacture and capture lessons learned from early builds.
• PCBA, Final Assembly & Test Integration:
  • Develop and improve the manufacturing interface between PCBA production and final assembly at both sites. Work with SMT, Production, Engineering and Test & Deployment to resolve manufacturing and test constraints.
  • Identify opportunities to simplify downstream assembly, improve standardisation and enable later‑stage product configuration.
  • Develop and improve production test, programming and deployment processes, including appropriate fixtures, tooling and automation.
  • Ensure manufacturing and test processes are clearly documented and reproducible.
• Production Technical Support:
  • Provide hands‑on engineering support and structured problem‑solving when manufacturing issues arise.
  • Work with Engineering where product or design changes are required to resolve manufacturing problems.
  • Support Production Managers and Supervisors in implementing process improvements. Ensure engineering solutions are properly documented and embedded rather than relying on informal knowledge or workarounds.
• Manufacturing Quality Interface:
  • Work with the Manufacturing Quality Manager to ensure manufacturing processes consistently achieve defined quality requirements.
  • Provide production‑engineering input to root‑cause investigations and implement manufacturing improvements arising from corrective actions. Support preventative controls and error‑proofing within manufacturing processes.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Manufacturing process efficiency, productivity and throughput.
• Reduction in cycle time, bottlenecks and manufacturing‑related rework. Successful NPI transition into production.
• Manufacturing and test process repeatability. Measurable and sustained continuous improvement benefits. Effective adoption of manufacturing documentation, tooling and standard processes.

Essential Experience & Candidate Attributes Required:

• Experience in Production, Manufacturing or Process Engineering within a technical manufacturing environment.
• Strong practical understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling and production engineering. Experience developing manufacturing processes, work instructions and standard methods. Strong structured problem‑solving and continuous improvement capability.
• Familiarity with Windows/Linux environments, JTAG, and programming languages such as Python where relevant to production test. Experience supporting NPI and transition from Engineering into manufacture.
• Ability to analyse manufacturing constraints and implement practical, measurable solutions. Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively between Engineering and Operations.
• Practical, proactive and solution‑focused, with a strong hands‑on presence in manufacturing. Collaborative across Engineering and Operations and able to challenge established methods constructively.
• Strong ownership and follow‑through from problem identification through to implementation. Supports a culture of continuous improvement, standardisation and operational discipline.

Desirable Experience & Knowledge Required:

• Electronics/electromechanical and PCBA/SMT manufacturing experience.
• Experience of DFM/DFA and CAD, ideally Autodesk or similar.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and electronic schematics.
• Experience with production test/deployment, automation or manufacturing process technology. Knowledge of Lean manufacturing methodologies.

Please note, our client does not hold a Sponsorship licence, therefore candidates who apply must have the immediate right to work in the UK with no restrictions.