Manufacturing Engineer Machine shop – Farnborough

Who are we:

Auxitrol Weston Operating Unit (OU) consists of 3 manufacturing plants, Auxitrol SAS (France), Weston Aerospace Ltd (UK), Auxitrol Weston (Mexico), with 3 R&D departments in France, UK and Norwich Aero Products Inc (US) along with 3 repair capabilities in France, UK & Singapore.

Weston Aerospace Ltd has approximately 175 employees at Farnborough whose responsibilities are to design and manufacture temperature, speed and pressure sensors for gas turbine and airframe applications.

We have another smaller manufacturing site dedicated to analogue indicators, based in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire with 16 employees.

Job Overview/Purpose:

Location: Farnborough
Role Type: Permanent – Full Time

Manufacturing Engineer with high level of capability to implement radical changes to existing processes. Responsible for delivering significant cost savings through manufacturing process change.

The Manufacturing Engineer is responsible for supporting manufacturing operations through the development, implementation and continuous improvement of robust and efficient manufacturing processes. The role plays a key part in ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, consistently and in accordance with quality requirements.
Working closely with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, Product Engineering and Development teams, the Manufacturing Engineer provides technical support for production, drives process improvements, supports new product introduction activities and contributes to cost reduction, quality improvement and productivity projects.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain accurate CNC program control, tooling registers and machine setting sheets for machining centres such as Mazak and DMG Mori.
• Monitor machining performance and improve. Drive standardised tooling, fixtures and programs.
• Develop, implement and optimise manufacturing processes and methods.
• Provide day-to-day technical support to production teams to resolve manufacturing and process-related issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve productivity and reduce rework, scrap and manufacturing inefficiencies.
• Conduct root cause investigations and support implementation of corrective and preventative actions.
• Work closely with Production Operators and Technicians to identify and implement process improvements.
• Design and develop manufacturing tooling, fixtures and equipment to support production activities.
• Create, maintain and update Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings within the ERP system (LN).
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, process specifications and work instructions.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and support business case development for capital investment projects.
• Generate tooling authorisation requests and support capital expenditure activities.
• Support Production Operators and Development Technicians to ensure products are manufactured to the correct build standard and process controls.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies to improve quality, efficiency and productivity.
• Support cross-functional project teams for new product introduction and design change activities.
• Contribute to technical proposals and customer support activities when required.
• Produce manufacturing cost estimates for new products and engineering changes.
• Identify manufacturing risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Generate and maintain Process Failure Mode and Effects Analyses (PFMEAs).
• Prepare and deliver technical presentations to internal and external stakeholders.

Production Support & Delivery

• Support manufacturing operations by prioritising and completing engineering activities aligned with production requirements.
• Participate in GEMBA activities to identify and resolve production issues.
• Ensure timely completion of Manufacturing Engineering actions supporting operational objectives.
• Support Material Review Board (MRB) investigations and implement corrective actions as required.
• Assist in achieving departmental productivity and delivery targets.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure compliance with manufacturing standards, specifications and approved processes.
• Lead and support Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations.
• Implement corrective and preventative actions to reduce defects, rework and scrap.
• Support Cost of Non-Quality (CONQ) reduction initiatives.
• Participate in Lean Manufacturing activities including:
  • 5S test
  • Kaizen
  • Waste Reduction
  • Process Optimisation
• Support customer, regulatory and internal audits.
• Assist in the closure of audit findings and non-conformities

Resource & Equipment Management

• Support the specification, procurement, introduction and validation of manufacturing equipment and tooling.
• Assist in equipment qualification and process validation activities.
• Ensure manufacturing tooling, fixtures and equipment remain fit for purpose.
• Support capital investment projects and implementation activities.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Comply with all HSRE policies, procedures and requirements.
• Promote a positive safety culture through safe working practices.
• Identify and report hazards, risks and unsafe conditions.
• Support risk assessments and implementation of appropriate controls.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, customer and company requirements.

Behaviours

• Respect and discipline.
• Teamwork.
• Trust each other.
• Simplicity and agility.
• Open and honest communication.
• Positive attitude.
• Bias for action.

Qualifications/Skills/Experience

Essential

• Experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role within a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrable experience in process improvement and manufacturing optimisation.
• Experience supporting production environments and resolving technical manufacturing issues.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in an engineering discipline.

Skills

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Experience using CAD software, preferably a 3D CAD platform.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing tools and methodologies.
• Working knowledge of quality improvement techniques including:
  • PFMEA
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Statistical problem-solving techniques
  • Six Sigma principles
• Experience working with ERP systems, preferably BAAN/LN.
• Manufacturing documentation and process specification development experience.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently.

Desirable

• Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Production Engineering.
• Experience within aerospace, defence or other highly regulated industries.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma certification.

Competencies

• Takes ownership of assigned objectives and delivers results.
• Demonstrates a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Focuses on customer requirements and operational performance.
• Identifies and implements continuous improvement opportunities.
• Builds effective working relationships across functions.
• Works collaboratively within teams to achieve common goals.
• Shares knowledge and actively supports colleagues.
• Manages priorities effectively and delivers to deadlines.
• Demonstrates adaptability in a changing environment.
• Works independently while recognising when support is required.
• Maintains attention to detail and a high standard of technical accuracy.
• Remains calm and effective under pressure.
• Demonstrates resilience and professionalism when overcoming challenges.