Engineering Manager (Aerospace Engineering)

Job Summary: The Engineering Manager will oversee the daily operations of the aerospace engineering design office and the manufacturing engineering team, ensuring the smooth integration between design and production processes. The role also involves managing and outsourcing engineering services such as design and development activities to external agencies or consultancy companies. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in aerospace engineering, with hands-on experience managing design, manufacturing, and production processes for high-performance systems.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Lead, mentor, and manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, including design engineers, production engineers, and technical staff.
2. Coordinate with project managers to ensure project timelines and deliverables are met.
3. Drive a culture of continuous improvement, quality, and collaboration across the production and engineering departments.
4. Develop training and career development plans for the engineering team to ensure skills remain current and aligned with business needs.
5. Manage relationships and performance of external engineering agencies and consultancies.

Production Engineering:

1. Oversee the design-for-manufacture (DFM) process to ensure designs are optimized for production efficiency and quality.
2. Collaborate with production teams to troubleshoot technical or process issues during manufacturing.
3. Work with suppliers and external partners to optimize the sourcing of materials and components for aerospace production.

Design & Development:

1. Manage the design and manufacturing engineering office to deliver innovative, high-quality aerospace systems and components aligned with customer requirements and industry specifications.
2. Oversee product development from initial concept through to final production, ensuring designs meet aerospace regulatory and safety standards.
3. Work closely with the R&D team to identify areas for product enhancement and new technologies.
4. Coordinate and manage outsourced design and development activities with external engineering agencies or consultancy companies.

Process Improvement & Optimization:

1. Implement and manage process improvement initiatives aimed at reducing costs, improving quality, and shortening production times.
2. Evaluate and upgrade production machinery and tooling as required to support new product development.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

1. Act as a liaison between the design office and production engineering to ensure that production requirements and constraints are considered during the design phase.
2. Collaborate with procurement, quality assurance, and logistics teams to ensure a seamless production workflow.
3. Work closely with customers and stakeholders to manage product development timelines and address any design changes or improvements.

Budgeting & Resource Allocation:

1. Manage department budgets and ensure efficient use of resources to meet financial goals.
2. Allocate resources effectively, balancing production demands with ongoing development and R&D projects.
3. Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations within the production and engineering departments.

Quality Control & Compliance:

1. Ensure all designs and production processes comply with aerospace industry standards and internal quality control policies.
2. Oversee the integration of quality control processes within production and design workflows, aiming for zero-defect manufacturing.

Qualifications and Experience:

Education:

1. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.

Experience:

1. 8-10 years of experience in production or mechanical engineering roles, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management capacity.
2. Previous experience in the aerospace sector is highly desirable.
3. Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams in an engineering environment.
4. Proven track record in outsourcing and managing external engineering agencies or consultancy services.
5. Strong knowledge of design-for-manufacture (DFM) principles and production processes.
6. Experience with CAD software (ideally Creo Parametric) and PLM tools (ideally Windchill).

Skills:

1. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
2. Project management experience and familiarity with tools like Microsoft Project.
3. Knowledge of lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other process improvement methodologies.
4. Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
5. Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
6. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
7. Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of aerospace engineering principles, particularly relating to high-performance systems and components.
8. Manufacturing Knowledge: Deep understanding of low-volume, high-precision manufacturing, especially in machining processes like CNC, milling, and turning.
9. Leadership: Ability to lead, inspire, and develop a technical team, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
10. Project Management: Strong project management skills with a proven ability to manage multiple, complex engineering projects.
11. Outsourcing Management: Ability to evaluate, select, and manage external engineering agencies or consultancies.
12. Innovation: Encourages creative problem-solving and new approaches to design and production challenges.
13. Attention to Detail: Ensures precision and quality in both design and production outputs.

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Company pension
• Flexitime
• On-site parking
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Engineering and Information Technology