Defence jobs in United Kingdom

Manufacturing Specialist (Defence & Space)
Great Chesterford, Essex | Full-time | Hybrid (min. 3 days in office)
£60,000 - £70,000 (Depending on experience)

I’m currently working with an exciting business in Great Chesterford who are looking to add a Manufacturing Specialist to their team. This is a key hire that will help grow and reinvigorate their manufacturing capability, integrating it fully into their R&D and product development offering. The role will focus on complex electronic PCB assemblies and mechanical housings, covering everything from prototype to volume production.

• Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering
• Office based in Great Chesterford (hybrid, minimum 3 days a week in-office)
• Some UK & international travel to clients, suppliers, and contract manufacturers

• Create and deliver the strategy to expand manufacturing capability and link it into wider development services
• Drive processes forward, keeping the business aligned with the latest technologies and best practice
• Support DfMA and transfer-to-manufacture for low-to-mid volume products (including complex RF systems)
• Manage and coordinate supply chain partners and contract manufacturers in the UK and overseas
• Work closely with the Quality Manager to review supplier performance, resolve issues, and hold them accountable
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and technicians to deliver projects successfully

• Confident communicator, able to work with engineers through to senior executives
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, consultancy-style environment with plenty of client interaction
• Experienced across the full product development lifecycle, ideally with low-to-mid volume RF products
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods and equipment, including SMT
• Well connected with supply chain partners and CMs in the UK and internationally
• Analytical, detail-focused, and confident in both mechanical and electronic design
• Bonus: Experience in the space sector (ESA / ECSS standards or flight model verification testing)

Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 per year, Benefits: Bonus and more