Project Engineer

SoCode Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

SoCode Recruitment partners with a Cambridgeshire technology company to deliver Capex upgrades across production systems. This hands-on role sits between operations, engineering and suppliers, owning CAPEX from scoping through commissioning, with UK focus and occasional Europe trips for FAT/SAT.

You will shape a multi-year Capex roadmap, manage budgets and risks, and ensure safety/compliance throughout the handover with full documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering Capex or equipment projects within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Hands-on experience specifying, procuring, installing and commissioning production equipment.
• Proven ability to manage suppliers and contractors, including FAT and SAT.
• Able to manage budgets, timelines and risks across multiple projects.
• Knowledge of machinery safety and compliance (CE/UKCA, PUWER, risk assessments).
• Clear communication with production teams, suppliers and senior stakeholders.
• Degree or HND in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing or related engineering.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Capex projects end to end from scoping to installation, commissioning and handover.
• Define requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria for new and upgraded equipment.
• Assess existing systems and identify upgrade, obsolescence and improvement opportunities.
• Shape and prioritise a multi-year Capex roadmap with operations and engineering teams.
• Build and manage project plans, budgets, schedules and risk registers.
• Run supplier selection and manage suppliers and contractors through design, build and installation.
• Plan and attend FAT/SAT, including occasional visits to suppliers in Europe.
• Ensure equipment meets safety and compliance requirements and is handed over fully documented.

Skills

Capex project delivery

Budget management

Supplier management

Stakeholder communication

Risk management

Project coordination

Education

Engineering degree (Mechanical/Electrical/Manufacturing)

Job description

Socode are partnering with a Cambridgeshire-based technology company developing advanced industrial systems used in high-performance manufacturing environments. As part of a 3-5 year capital investment plan, they’re looking to bring in two Project Engineers to deliver a programme of upgrades across their existing production systems, with one role starting in January.

This is a hands-on delivery role sitting between operations, engineering and external suppliers. You’ll own Capex projects from specification through to commissioning, so upgrades land safely and on budget with minimal disruption to live production. The role is almost entirely UK-based, with occasional trips to suppliers in Europe for acceptance testing.

What will you be doing?

• Delivering Capex projects end to end, from scoping and justification through to installation, commissioning and handover
• Defining requirements, specifications and acceptance criteria for new and upgraded equipment
• Assessing existing systems and identifying upgrade, obsolescence and improvement opportunities
• Helping shape and prioritise a multi-year Capex roadmap with operations and engineering teams
• Building and managing project plans, budgets, schedules and risk registers
• Running supplier selection and managing suppliers and contractors through design, build and installation
• Planning and attending Factory and Site Acceptance Tests (FAT/SAT), including occasional visits to suppliers in Europe
• Making sure equipment meets safety and compliance requirements and is handed over fully documented

What are they looking for?

• Experience delivering Capex or equipment projects within a manufacturing or engineering environment
• Hands-on experience specifying, procuring, installing and commissioning production equipment
• Proven ability to manage suppliers and contractors, including FAT and SAT
• Comfortable managing budgets, timelines and risks across multiple projects at once
• Working knowledge of machinery safety and compliance (CE/UKCA, PUWER, risk assessments)
• Clear and confident communication style, able to engage production teams, suppliers and senior stakeholders
• Degree or HND in Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing or a related engineering discipline

Nice to have

• Experience upgrading or retrofitting equipment in a live production environment
• Exposure to high-precision, cleanroom or high-reliability manufacturing
• Project management training such as PRINCE2 or APM