Production Engineering Manager

Oxford Instruments plc; Severn Beach; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private healthcare

Share incentive plan

Defined contribution pension

Job summary

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology in Severn Beach, Bristol, seeks an experienced Production Engineering Manager to lead a high-performing team focused on first-line support, problem solving, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will champion standardisation, innovation, and CI initiatives to improve capacity, throughput, product quality and overall manufacturing performance as part of the OI30 strategy.

Qualifications

• Substantial experience in electro-mechanical systems production engineering environment.
• Experience using root cause analysis methodologies to fault-find engineering problems.
• Experience with Lean methodologies and implementing improvements.
• Experience managing and developing technical staff.
• Ability to motivate and develop a high-performing team.

Responsibilities

• Lead a Production Engineering Team responsible for first-line support, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
• Drive standardisation, innovation and CI initiatives across manufacturing.
• Develop KPIs to monitor corrective/preventative actions and drive improvements.
• Own release documentation (SOPs, Test Documents) and ensure accuracy on changes.
• Coordinate training and ensure documentation is used correctly in Production.

Skills

Electro-mechanical systems

Root Cause Analysis

Lean Methodologies

People management

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

HNC or higher

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Production Engineering Manager to join our team in Severn Beach, Bristol. In this key leadership role, you will drive operational excellence across manufacturing by leading a high-performing team responsible for first-line support, problem-solving, and continuous improvement. Your focus will be on enhancing production capacity, increasing throughput, improving product quality, and ensuring reliable manufacturing performance, all of which directly contribute to our OI30 strategy and margin growth ambitions.

As a leader within the Manufacturing Engineering team, you will inspire, coach, and develop your people, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will champion standardisation, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen operational efficiency and support the ongoing success and growth of Plasma Technology.

Issue Resolution

• Maintain a consistent service for engineering issues reported in Production whenever the factory is operational (including shift and weekend work), working to a service level agreement on response times.
• Ensure the Production Engineering Team have the skills and resources to provide specialist expertise in mechanical and electrical engineering to allow root cause analysis to be conducted on any problem and ensure comprehensive containment solutions are in place.
• Work with Operations to find efficient ways of managing and reporting issues in the factory to provide an improved level of service.
• Work with all Engineering teams to develop KPIs to monitor the corrective and preventative actions on issues found in production. Use the KPIs to advocate for improvements to reduce the number of faults found in Production.
• Ensure all processes for issue resolution are documented and updated, ensuring consistency in work practices across the Production Engineering Team.

Build and Test Documentation

• Take ownership of all released documentation in Production, in the form of SOPs and test documentation.
• Ensure Engineering builds documentation (SOPs, Test Documents, etc) that are revised on the release of changes to the product design.
• Manage the release of test documentation for engineering specials before systems are tested in Production.
• Ensure issues raised on production documentation are reviewed and changes are released on ECO within 3 months.
• Coordinate training or supplementary information so that new and existing documentation is used correctly in Production.
• Track and monitor downstream issues/customer feedback/faults on commissioning relating to Operations processes and implement preventative measures to prevent recurrence.

Continuous improvement

• Identify and lead projects to improve the cost and quality of our products, and the efficiency of our practices.
• Support Operations to find the reasons and solutions for waste and inefficiency.
• Take ownership of processes by working with the Manufacturing Engineering team to sequence and streamline Production.
• Provide support and input into the implementation of a new MRP system, contributing to discussions on how to implement a Manufacturing BOM.
• Research and advocate for using new technologies and systems to improve the efficiency and quality of our production processes.
• Promote a CI culture through cross-functional team working, training and process improvements.

Education/Qualifications

• HNC or higher (Mechanical, Electrical & Electronic disciplines)

Professional Skills/Abilities

• Substantial experience in electro-mechanical systems production engineering environment - preferably small batch, high technology system integration, ideally with machining/fabs.
• Experience in a fast-paced operations environment.
• Experience in using Root Cause Analysis methodologies to fault-find engineering problems.
• Experience in Lean Methodologies, both working with and implementing, would be advantageous.
• Experience managing and developing technical staff.
• Recognises, inspires, and motivates the team to contribute to business objectives, and puts in place actions and opportunities to continuously develop staff, individually and as a team.
• Open to fresh ways of working and innovative in suggesting new ideas and possible solutions. Able to motivate others towards the goal.
• Plans effectively to meet business objectives. Puts in place monitoring processes and makes appropriate adjustments when progress is not as planned or when requirements change.
• Plans own time to maximum effect, delegating responsibility and authority appropriately.
• Co-operates effectively with, and makes a significant contribution to, the wider Management team.

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we provide tools for the engineering of micro- and nano-structures, with customers using our process solutions to research and produce materials and semiconductors vital for everything from medical devices and diagnostics, to electric cars and quantum computers.

Benefits

• In addition to a competitive starting salary, structured career development opportunities, and a good work-life balance, Oxford Instruments offers 25 days annual leave, early finish on Fridays, private healthcare, a share incentive plan, a defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan, and a flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your own requirements

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. We encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and would ask you to get in touch if you are concerned about any barriers you feel you may be facing in your application process with us.