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Manager Manufacturing Engineer

Spacecraft Manufacturing | Electric Propulsion | High-Rate Production | Aerospace

We're partnering with an innovative space technology company at the forefront of spacecraft, satellite, and advanced propulsion development. Following continued programme growth, they're looking to appoint a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead their manufacturing engineering function and help scale production of next-generation space hardware.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced manufacturing leader who enjoys building high-performing teams, improving manufacturing processes, and delivering complex aerospace products from design through production.

The Role

You'll lead the Manufacturing Engineering team while working closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Program Management to ensure production targets are achieved safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards.

This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on technical involvement, making it ideal for someone who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges while developing people and processes.

Responsibilities

  • Lead the Manufacturing Engineering team across multiple aerospace production programmes.
  • Deliver manufacturing performance across safety, quality, cost, and on-time delivery.
  • Develop production strategies that support increasing manufacturing capacity and customer demand.
  • Drive Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Production (DFP) initiatives.
  • Champion Lean Manufacturing tools including Kaizen, 5S, Value Stream Mapping, and continuous improvement.
  • Identify manufacturing bottlenecks and implement data-driven process improvements.
  • Support major programme reviews including SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR, and MRR.
  • Mentor, coach, and develop Manufacturing Engineers while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborate with Engineering to ensure products are designed for efficient manufacture.
  • Partner with Quality to improve first-pass yield, resolve non-conformances, and maintain AS9100 compliance.
  • Work closely with Supply Chain and Production to ensure material availability and manufacturing readiness.
  • Monitor operational KPIs and implement corrective actions where required.
  • Support production scheduling, inventory planning, and manufacturing scalability.

What we're looking for

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
  • 8+ years of manufacturing experience, including at least 3 years leading engineering or manufacturing teams.
  • Experience within aerospace, defence, space, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.
  • Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
  • Proven experience improving manufacturing performance, productivity, and operational KPIs.
  • Experience with ERP/MRP systems and production planning.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Nice to have

  • Spacecraft manufacturing, propulsion systems, satellites, or launch vehicle experience.
  • Experience with spacecraft fabrication, integration, and testing.
  • Knowledge of AS9100 quality systems.
  • Experience developing manufacturing processes from prototype through production.
  • Familiarity with high-rate production environments.

Why join?

You'll have the opportunity to lead manufacturing for cutting-edge space hardware while building and developing a talented engineering team. This is a business investing heavily in production growth, offering the chance to make a significant impact on how advanced spacecraft and propulsion systems are manufactured and delivered.