Senior Engineer

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD; Wakefield; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

KO2 Embedded Recruitment Solutions LTD in Wakefield is partnering with a well-established manufacturing business to recruit a Senior Engineer. This hands-on role focuses on solving problems on the shop floor and mentoring colleagues to build a stronger engineering team.

You'll work across Engineering, Spray Painting, Automation and Injection Moulding, driving continuous improvement and ensuring reliable production through practical, cost-effective solutions.

Qualifications

• Strong hands-on engineering experience in precision manufacturing.
• Experience operating and programming CNC machinery.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop others while leading a team.

Responsibilities

• Design and produce jigs, fixtures and engineering solutions for production.
• Provide senior input across engineering, spray painting, automation and moulding.
• Plan and deliver engineering projects and introduce new equipment or processes.
• Champion continuous improvement to drive efficiency, quality and performance.
• Mentor and line manage engineers, conducting regular reviews.

Skills

Hands-on engineering

CNC machinery

Leadership & mentoring

CAD modelling (2D/3D)

Manufacturing processes

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Senior Engineer

Location: Wakefield

Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + a well-rounded benefits package

KO2 Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a well-established manufacturing business based in Wakefield in their search for an experienced, hands-on Senior Engineer to join their engineering team.

This is a genuinely hands-on role for an experienced engineer who is just as comfortable at the machine or workbench solving a technical problem as they are mentoring, coaching and developing others. First and foremost you'll bring strong, credible engineering skills - with the people skills to help build a stronger, more capable team around you.

The Role

You'll be a senior, hands-on presence within the Engineering function, designing and delivering practical, cost-effective and high-quality engineering solutions that support the business's product development, manufacturing and strategic objectives.

You’ll work hands‑on across Engineering, Spray Painting, Automation and Injection Moulding, helping to keep resources effectively integrated and optimised to achieve operational excellence. Alongside your own technical delivery, you'll support the continual review and development of departmental ways of working, driving continuous improvement, innovation and performance - staying close enough to the work to lead by example, and close enough to your colleagues to help them grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and physically produce jigs, fixtures and other engineering solutions, getting hands‑on to solve problems and support production
• Provide senior, hands‑on engineering input across Engineering, Spray Painting, Automated Production and Injection Moulding, ensuring resources are used effectively to meet business objectives
• Support day-to-day operations across the department, making sure work is safely planned, prioritised and delivered in line with customer needs
• Plan and deliver engineering projects, product improvements, and the introduction of new equipment or processes
• Champion continuous improvement across the department, driving efficiency, quality and performance gains
• Keep engineering equipment, tools, machinery and stock levels well maintained to ensure maximum reliability
• Mentor and line manage a small team of engineers, running regular 1-2-1s, performance reviews and succession planning to build a strong, capable team
• Partner with Production, Planning, Purchasing, Technical and Logistics to keep activities coordinated and business goals on track
• Help assess current and future staffing, training and resourcing needs, flagging requirements to senior management as needed
• Maintain compliance with Health & Safety, Environmental and Quality standards across all engineering activities
• Report regularly on engineering performance, quality metrics, project progress and risk, with recommendations for senior leadership
• Represent Engineering at production, continuous improvement and Health & Safety meetings, offering technical input where needed

What You'll Bring

Essential

• Strong, hands-on experience in precision engineering and manufacturing
• Experience operating and programming CNC machinery
• Understanding of 2D/3D CAD modelling
• Proficient in press tooling, and the design and hands-on manufacture of jigs and fixtures
• Strong understanding of engineering principles and best practice
• At least 5 years' experience as a senior or lead engineer, with some supervisory or mentoring responsibility, within a manufacturing/logistics environment
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, tools and equipment
• Proven ability to support, coach and develop others, with excellent communication, motivational and conflict-resolution skills

Desirable

• Experience with spray painting processes (gloss, K2)
• Extrusion saw operation and material preparation experience
• Professional engineering certification (e.g. CEng, IET membership)
• Experience and knowledge of injection moulding
• Knowledge of industry standards such as IPC-A-610, RoHS and ISO 9001