Senior Manufacturing Process Engineer

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Provide senior-level technical support to daily manufacturing operations, addressing complex process issues and implementing sustainable corrective and preventive actions. Lead process performance monitoring, identifying systemic issues, optimising workflow, and driving improvements in quality, throughput, cost, and repeatability. Champion process stability and capability through advanced analysis and continuous improvement techniques. Lead the design, specification, validation, and lifecycle management of tooling, jigs, and fixtures, ensuring scalability, ergonomics, and robust performance. Oversee supplier engagement for tooling manufacture and qualification, ensuring readiness for operational deployment. Drive industrialisation activities for New Product Introduction (NPI), ensuring seamless transfer from R&D to volume production. Develop, validate, and optimise manufacturing methods using PFMEA, control plans, process capability studies, and statistical analysis. Provide senior influence on Design-for-Manufacture (DFM) activities in collaboration with engineering teams. Ensure the creation, governance, and continuous improvement of high-quality work instructions and process documentation. Mentor and train engineers, technicians, and operators on new processes, tooling, and best practices. Support internal and external audits, customer visits, and technical reviews as a subject-matter expert. Own and optimise ERP manufacturing master data including routings and BOMs, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with operational capabilities. Work closely with Planning, Supply Chain, Quality, and Engineering to maintain rigorous configuration control across the production lifecycle. Lead cross-functional root-cause investigations, structured problem-solving (e.g., 8D), and continuous improvement projects. Support automation initiatives and evaluate new technologies to enhance operational capability and efficiency. Collaborate with R&D on new process development, prototype build support, and the industrial readiness of novel manufacturing techniques.

Essential Experience: Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent engineering experience. Extensive hands-on experience in a manufacturing or production environment. Proven expertise in developing, validating, and scaling manufacturing processes. Demonstrated capability in designing and commissioning tooling, jigs, and fixtures. Significant experience in NPI, industrialisation, and transitioning processes into production. Strong competency in producing and governing manufacturing documentation (work instructions, control plans, process documentation, etc.). Advanced experience with ERP systems including routing and BOM management. Strong knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, and structured continuous improvement methodologies. Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams including Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and Operations. Desirable Experience working with D365 Finance and Operations (Microsoft ERP system). Knowledge of quality systems such as ISO9001 and AS9100. Experience of working with and processing optical fibres including splicing and joining. Technical understanding and experience of manufacturing optical devices. Background in automation technology selection or deployment. Proficiency with structured root‑cause methodologies such as 8D.