Production Engineer

IDEX; Whetstone; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

CVI Infrared Optics, part of the IDEX MSS platform, is seeking a proactive Production Engineer to translate customer requirements into efficient production processes. You will work with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and external suppliers to ensure robust process documentation and cost-effective manufacturing.

This role involves engineering change management, tooling design, and continuous improvement to enhance product quality and throughput in a high-spec manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification or equivalent practical engineering experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing or production engineering environment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, BOM creation, and manufacturing routings.
• Strong problem‑solving and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation control.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and process optimisation.

Responsibilities

• Review customer orders and ensure technical and commercial requirements are understood; support NOR meetings.
• Design tooling, jigs, fixtures, and component drawings; liaise with suppliers.
• Set up and maintain product quality folders; prepare ATRs, FAI, and test docs.
• Participate in Engineering Change Review meetings; update drawings and BOMs.
• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, and throughput.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service to resolve issues.

Skills

Manufacturing engineering

ERP/MRP experience

Engineering drawings

Costing

Continuous improvement

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

CAD

ERP/MRP software

BOM tooling

Job description

CVI Infrared Optics is a part of the IDEX Materials, Science and Solutions (MSS) platform. Besides our unique capabilities in manufacturing large optics from visible to longwave, we are backed by the combined capabilities of our platform. CVI offers a full spectrum of optical engineering, manufacturing, and assembly expertise. Together we can support all our customers with more engineering expertise, broader capabilities, and extensive manufacturing resources. Since 1982, CVI Infrared Optics has been manufacturing advanced optical components for high performance optronics systems. We have become the leading experts in manufacturing and integration of large optics from visible, and near infrared, to longwave infrared, that can continuously perform in extreme weather climates and harsh conditions. When you need robust optical components and assembly expertise for your mission critical application, we can provide world-class solutions.

About the Role

We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Production Engineer to support the manufacture of high-quality products by translating customer requirements into efficient, cost-effective, and repeatable production processes. This is a varied role that combines engineering, production support, quality documentation, tooling design, and continuous improvement. Working closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Customer Service, and external suppliers, you will play a key role in ensuring customer requirements are successfully converted into robust manufacturing processes and documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Customer Order Entry & Engineering Administration: Review customer orders to ensure all technical and commercial requirements are fully understood and accurately captured. Participate in New Order Review (NOR) meetings to support cross-functional alignment on scope, specifications, and delivery requirements. Create item numbers and maintain product set-up within the ERP system. Produce and maintain detailed material and component drawings in line with customer and manufacturing requirements. Create, configure, and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs). Create, configure, and maintain manufacturing routings. Design and specify tray inserts, customer-specific packaging solutions, and goods‑inward instructions. Establish production costs and maintain accurate costing data within the ERP/MRP system.
• Tooling, Fixtures & Manufacturing Support: Design tooling, jigs, fixtures, and component drawings to support efficient and repeatable manufacturing processes. Raise purchase requisitions for tooling, fixtures, and components as required. Liaise with suppliers to resolve technical issues and ensure tooling and components meet specification requirements. Provide day-to-day engineering support to manufacturing operations.
• Quality & Documentation: Set up and maintain product quality folders to ensure full traceability and compliance. Prepare engineering and quality documentation, including: Acceptance Test Reports (ATRs), Spectral Performance Graphs, Environmental Test Documentation, First Article Inspection (FAI) Reports. Ensure all engineering and quality documentation is accurate, controlled, and readily available to production teams.
• Engineering Change Management: Participate in Engineering Change Review meetings. Support the implementation of engineering changes through updates to drawings, BOMs, routings, documentation, and production instructions. Communicate engineering changes effectively to all relevant stakeholders.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, product quality, cost performance, and throughput. Support and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives across production and engineering processes. Assist in the development of best practices, standardisation, and process optimisation activities.
• Communication & Collaboration: Work closely with Manufacturing, Production Coordination, Supply Chain, Quality, and Customer Service teams to support production activities and resolve issues. Collaborate with external suppliers to address technical queries, non-conformances, and improvement opportunities. Build effective working relationships across departments to ensure customer and business requirements are achieved.

What We're Looking For

• Engineering qualification or equivalent practical engineering experience.
• Experience working within a manufacturing or production engineering environment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems, BOM creation, and manufacturing routings.
• Strong problem‑solving and organisational skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and documentation control.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple functions.
• Proactive approach to continuous improvement and process optimisation.

Why Join Us

This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing manufacturing team where you will have a direct impact on product quality, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction while working on a wide range of engineering and production support activities.

IDEX (NYSE: IEX) is a company that has undoubtedly touched your life in some way. In fact, IDEX businesses make thousands of products that are mission‑critical components in everyday activities. Chances are the car you’re driving has a BAND-IT® clamp holding your side airbag safely in place. If you were ever in a car accident, a Hurst Jaws of Life® rescue tool may have saved your life. If you or a family member is battling cancer, your doctor may have tested your DNA in a quest to find the best targeted medicine for you. It’s likely your DNA test was run on equipment that contains components made by our growing IDEX Health & Science team.