Manufacturing Engineering Lead

Manufacturing Engineering Lead
 
Gloucestershire | Competitive Salary + Benefits (dependent on experience)
 
Manufacturing Engineering | Composite Manufacturing | NPI | Tooling | AS9100
 
Join a rapidly growing advanced manufacturing business specialising in lightweight composite structures and automated manufacturing technology for the aerospace, automotive, defence and space sectors.
 
GTS group are looking for an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Lead to lead the Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling function within a growing production facility.
 
This is a hands-on leadership role, combining technical Manufacturing Engineering with team leadership, process development and production support.
 
You’ll be responsible for:

• Leading and developing the Manufacturing Engineering and Tooling team.
• Managing manufacturing engineering activities across production and NPI.
• Developing Methods of Manufacture, routings, BoMs, work instructions and process documentation.
• Taking new products from Design through to production, ensuring manufacturing readiness.
• Supporting tooling, fixtures and equipment development.
• Supporting PFMEA, APQP, Control Plans and PPAP/FAIR activities.
• Identifying and resolving manufacturing and quality issues through structured root cause analysis.
• Driving continuous improvement, lean manufacturing and production efficiency.
• Supporting quotations, manufacturing methods, tooling requirements and costings.
• Working closely with Operations, Quality, Design Engineering and Supply Chain.
• Developing team capability through training, skills matrices and standardised processes.

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years’ Manufacturing Engineering experience within production, NPI or industrialisation.
• 3+ years’ experience leading or managing a technical team.
• Strong practical experience of composite manufacturing and processing.
• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, tooling and production documentation.
• Experience with PFMEA, APQP, root cause analysis and continuous improvement.
• Understanding of AS9100 and quality standards within aerospace or advanced manufacturing.
• CAD experience, ideally SolidWorks.
• A hands-on, practical approach with strong problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and the ability to work across Engineering, Operations and Quality.

Desirable

• Experience with metallic machining, CNC, jigs, fixtures or precision tooling.
• AFP (Automated Fibre Placement) experience.
• Experience within aerospace, automotive, motorsport, defence or space manufacturing.
• Six Sigma qualification.
• Degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, Aerospace, Composite Engineering or a related discipline.

What’s On Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Private healthcare and pension.
• Equity/stock options.
• Excellent career development opportunities.
• The opportunity to work with cutting-edge composite manufacturing technology.
• Join a high-growth business at an exciting stage of international expansion.