Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: Saffron Walden (CB10)
Duration: Permanent
Hours: 9am - 5.30pm, Monday - Friday, Hybrid (3+ days office-based)
Salary: up to £70000 depending on experience
Job Reference: 36104
Polytec is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead and grow its client's manufacturing capability within a wider RandD and specialist product development environment. The role focuses on complex electronic PCB assemblies and mechanical housings, supporting products from prototype through to low-mid volume manufacture and will be based near Saffron Walden. UK and occasional international travel will be required.
UK Security Clearance will be required for this role therefore applicants requiring visas will unfortunately not be eligible.
Responsibilities
- Provide Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) input across electronics and mechanical development
- Support prototype builds and transfer to manufacture, particularly for RF-enabled products
- Coordinate with project managers, engineers, technicians and external partners to deliver programmes successfully
- Manage and develop UK and international supply chains, including contract manufacturers
- Identify and onboard new suppliers to support future low and high-volume manufacturing
- Work closely with quality teams to assess supplier performance and resolve issues
- Drive continuous improvement in manufacturing processes, tools and best practices
- Contribute to bids, proposals and customer-facing technical discussions
- Line management of a small, multidisciplinary manufacturing and engineering team
Requirements
- Strong background across the full product lifecycle, ideally involving complex electronics and RF technology
- Solid understanding of electronics manufacturing, including SMT processes
- Confident communicator, able to engage with engineers, suppliers, clients and senior stakeholders
- Comfortable in a fast-paced, consultancy-style environment with changing priorities
- Proven people management experience, supporting technical team development
- Analytical, detail-focused and proactive in problem-solving
- Established supplier and contract manufacturing network (UK and/or international) desirable
- Exposure to regulated or high-reliability sectors (e.g. aerospace/space standards) preferred
Please contact us as soon as possible for more details or apply below