Production Engineering Manager

OpenWorks Engineering Ltd; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in the UK is seeking a Production Engineering Manager to lead a team of engineers. This role involves transitioning prototypes to production readiness and enhancing production efficiency. The ideal candidate will have strong people-management skills and a relevant engineering degree. The position offers flexible working arrangements, a competitive salary starting from £60K, and various benefits including private health care and performance-related bonuses.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Free breakfast and lunch

Performance-related bonus

25 days holiday plus public holidays

Private health care insurance

EV car scheme

Social fund for team gatherings

Qualifications

• Strong people-management experience to lead, support and develop production engineers.
• Experience working in a production environment is essential.
• Passion for engineering and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead a small Production Engineering team.
• Drive continuous improvement and motivate the production engineering team.
• Plan transition from pre-production designs to production-ready data packs.

Skills

People management

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Continuous improvement

Creativity

Education

2:1 degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

Overview

We're on the hunt for a Production Engineering Manager to lead a small team of Production Engineers, responsible for transitioning engineering prototypes to production readiness and supporting production through problem solving and continuous improvement to increase production efficiencies while achieving high levels of quality. You'll report directly to the COO and be trusted with the autonomy to drive change, influence design and shape how we transition from prototype to production at pace.

This role is primarily based on-site to enable close, hands‑on work with our physical products, systems and to allow for regular cross‑function collaboration with other internal teams.

About OpenWorks Engineering

OpenWorks Engineering develops CUAS, Air Defence and Optical Surveillance, Sensing and Tracking Technology for Defence and Security. We have an award‑winning and innovative drone capture and autonomous optical detection and tracking technology. The systems offer the capability to protect high‑profile assets, facilities, the public and VIPs from the threats posed by aerial threats. We are proud to have supported a wide range of law enforcement and military operators protecting many of the most high‑profile sites and individuals around the world.

Benefits

• Happy to consider a salary from £60K upwards depending upon experience
• Flexible working options available. We recognise the commitment and care of our team in making OpenWorks the success that it is and understand that life and work don’t always fit neatly into set hours so we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements
• Free breakfast and a free freshly cooked lunch served daily by Chef Mark and his team
• Performance‑related bonus
• 25 days holiday plus public holidays (+ long‑service bonus days)
• Holiday purchase scheme
• Private health care insurance
• Death in service cover to protect those close to you
• EV car scheme
• Pension scheme (up to 4% matched contribution)
• Social fund for team gatherings
• Free eye tests and £75 towards a pair of glasses per prescription change
• A high‑energy and agile work environment, based in the beautiful Northumberland countryside
• A positive company culture – we enable change, encourage challenge and demonstrate commitment

What You’ll Be Doing

In your first 6 months, you’ll focus on three key priorities: enhancing the quality inspection process to reduce customer recalls, leading the transition of our Vision Pace and Vision Guard products from pre‑production to full production readiness and embedding a culture of continuous improvement within the production team. You’ll set the tone for quality, efficiency and a mindset of ongoing optimisation from day one.

• Lead a small Production Engineering team
• Drive continuous improvement and motivate the wider production engineering team
• Plan the transition from pre‑production designs to production‑ready data packs
• Identify opportunities to tweak design to improve manufacturability without compromising performance
• Work with the purchasing team to streamline part delivery into production, reducing risk and increasing throughput
• Collaborate with Engineering and Quality teams to define performance metrics and testing to verify sub‑system and product functionality
• Report to the COO to demonstrate concrete progress on productionisation of existing and new products
• Ensure BOMs are optimised for production
• Develop build procedures

What We’re Looking For

• A 2:1 or above degree in a relevant engineering discipline
• Strong people‑management experience to lead, support and develop production engineers
• Skilled in setting objectives, providing feedback and fostering a high‑performing, collaborative team culture
• Confident in delegating, managing workloads and driving continuous improvement through clear communication and accountability
• Strong creativity and excellent problem‑solving skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• Experience working in a production environment
• Motivated by the human‑factors challenges of productionising complex, high‑tech products
• Passion for engineering and continuous improvement
• Driven to achieve high‑quality outcomes
• Excited by solving both big and small problems to advance product quality

More About Us

As a small, fast‑growing company (with approximately 70 people), we offer the opportunity for a professional to have autonomy and responsibility. You’ll directly see the impact of your efforts.

Vision

Help protect the territory and airspace of NATO countries and their allies.

Mission

Be a world‑leading provider of autonomous technology for surveillance applications and defence.

Values

• Be a Good Egg: Earn respect, have mutual trust and be honest
• Do cool stuff: We develop cool tech with an awesome team, and we get stuff done
• Be empowered: We are autonomous, reliable and take personal responsibility
• We are one team: Look out for each other and the team
• Things go wrong: Fail fast, learn and move on
• Have fun: We’re doing amazing things with passionate people