Manufacturing & Industrial Engineer

Manufacturing & Industrial Engineer

Location: Gateshead
Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience
Working pattern: Permanent, four-day working week

We are recruiting a Manufacturing & Industrial Engineer for a specialist low-volume manufacturing business.

This is not a standard continuous improvement role supporting one repetitive manufacturing line.

The position is focused on new product introduction, industrialisation and the development of controlled, repeatable manufacturing processes within a bespoke, batch and high-variation environment.

You will work closely with Engineering, Quality and Manufacturing to take new and modified products from initial design through to a fully defined and commercially viable process.

The Role

You will be responsible for:

* Leading new product introduction and industrialisation projects.

* Mapping products through each stage of manufacture.

* Developing repeatable manufacturing routes and process controls.

* Producing clear work instructions and standard operating procedures.

* Defining tooling, jigs, fixtures and manufacturing requirements.

* Using CAD/CAM systems to support manufacturing readiness.

* Working with engineering teams to translate design requirements into practical manufacturing processes.

* Measuring manufacturing time, cost, scrap, waste, rework and yield.

* Identifying opportunities to reduce cost and improve profitability.

* Improving lead times, productivity and Right First Time performance.

* Supporting process validation, first-off manufacture and repeat manufacture.

* Establishing appropriate checks, measures and traceability requirements.

* Ensuring processes meet customer, quality and compliance standards.

* Applying Lean Six Sigma tools to structured problem solving and improvement.

* Engaging manufacturing employees in process development and change.

* Supporting multi-skilling and more flexible manufacturing methods where appropriate.

* Presenting data-backed recommendations to senior management.

Essential Requirements

You must have:

Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification.

A degree in Mechanical Engineering or Industrial Engineering, or an HNC in a relevant engineering discipline supported by substantial relevant experience.

Demonstrable experience in manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, NPI or industrialisation.

Experience within low-volume, batch, bespoke or high-variation manufacturing.

CAD/CAM experience.

Experience taking new or modified products from design through to manufacture.

Demonstrable experience developing repeatable manufacturing processes.

Experience producing work instructions, process maps and manufacturing documentation.

Experience defining or improving tooling, jigs and fixtures.

A strong understanding of scrap, waste, rework, yield and cost reduction.

Experience using manufacturing data to deliver measurable improvements.

Strong root cause analysis and structured problem-solving skills.

Experience working in a compliance-led manufacturing environment.

The ability to demonstrate tangible project results, including cost savings or operational improvements.

Strong communication and influencing skills.

A practical, shop-floor-focused approach.

Desirable Experience

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification.

Knowledge of PFMEA, Control Plans, APQP or PPAP.

Experience supporting audit, traceability or regulated manufacturing requirements.

Experience improving project profitability or manufacturing cost visibility.

Experience within automotive, defence, aerospace, specialist vehicles, heavy engineering or another complex manufacturing sector.

Experience introducing multi-skilling or flexible manufacturing methods.

The Person

You will need to be commercially aware, engaging and confident working with both the workforce and senior management.

The successful person will be able to challenge existing processes constructively, generate practical ideas and support recommendations with clear data.

You should be comfortable working in a developing environment where not every process is already mapped or measured, and where you will have the opportunity to introduce structure and influence how products are manufactured.

Measures of Success

Success in the role will include:

Improved industrialisation of new products.

More repeatable and clearly documented manufacturing processes.

Reduced scrap, waste, rework and manufacturing cost.

Improved visibility of manufacturing time and profitability.

Improved lead-time accuracy.

Stronger compliance and traceability.

Effective tooling, fixtures and work instructions.

Improved workforce engagement and operational flexibility.

Delivery of measurable and sustained financial improvements.

What Is on Offer

Negotiable salary, depending on experience.

Four-day working week.

Varied and technically challenging projects.

Direct involvement with senior management.

Significant scope to shape manufacturing processes.

A role combining NPI, industrialisation and operational improvement