Lead Manufacturing Engineer – PCA
Step into a pivotal role as our next Lead Manufacturing Engineer – PCA within the Manufacturing Engineering Operations team. Reporting directly to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, you will spearhead the manufacturing engineering efforts specifically focused on the PCA production zone. Your leadership will be instrumental in orchestrating the seamless introduction of innovative products, ensuring operational excellence that exceeds expectations in quality, safety, timeliness, and cost efficiency. This role embodies a commitment to advancing our manufacturing facility’s status as a world‑class operation through strategic continuous improvement and engineering expertise.
People Leadership & Team Development
- Model fair, proactive people management, addressing absence, conduct, and capability issues consistently and in line with policy.
- Communicate clearly to maintain alignment and ownership, drive engagement through recognition, feedback, and involvement, and foster a collaborative, inclusive culture of learning and continuous improvement.
- Create a supportive, high‑performing environment that encourages problem‑solving, cooperation, accountability, coaching, and development.
Operational Delivery & Continuous Improvement
- Apply standardised costing methodologies prior to product launch and collaborate cross‑functionally to fully understand product requirements while representing Manufacturing Engineering interests.
- Ensure all procedures, work instructions, and training materials are updated and released ahead of implementing process or system changes.
- Oversee the effective handover of new products to operational teams.
- Mentor key personnel across teams to establish clear ownership and long‑term stewardship of new processes.
- Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and routings within SAP, ensuring agreed assembly times are accurately reflected.
- Generate and approve cost simulations to validate product costings and maintain routing accuracy as changes occur.
- Develop, publish, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all new products, updating documentation as design modifications are introduced.
- Take accountability for delivering against all assigned KPIs, ensuring activities are completed to plan and financial performance aligns with approved project expenditure (CEPs).
- Benchmark industry best practices in printed circuit assembly and drive continuous improvement across processes, equipment, and capability.
- Collaborate with the Continuous Improvement Manager, supporting or leading initiatives as required, including CRWs and CEPs.
- Manage engineering change control throughout the PCA production zone, ensuring changes are implemented effectively and with minimal disruption.
- Plan, coordinate, and execute prototype builds and pre‑production batches for all New Product Introduction (NPI) projects.
- Participate actively in project meetings, representing Manufacturing Engineering; contribute to DFM, lead PFMEAs, and ensure strong engineering discipline and risk‑mitigation practices are consistently applied.
- Support the wider Operations organisation in achieving its objectives and undertake any additional reasonable tasks aligned with business needs.
- Contribute to 8D problem‑solving activities where required, providing engineering insight and corrective‑action support.
- Ensure TPM activities are monitored and adjusted as necessary.
- Support the development, justification, and implementation of Capital Expenditure (Capex) proposals, ensuring investments align with operational strategy, deliver measurable value, and comply with financial and governance requirements.
Safety, Quality & Compliance
- Ensure full compliance with safety procedures, statutory requirements, Risk Control Elements, and ISO 45001:2018 standards.
- Lead and reinforce the SHE programme, promoting visible safety leadership and reducing physical and behavioural risks.
- Promote a culture where safety, quality, and process discipline are embedded in all daily activities.
Day‑to‑Day Activities
On a typical day you will act as the technical compass for PCA manufacturing processes within the Eastbourne Product Company. You will collaborate closely with multiple departments, ensuring new products are manufacturable and integrated smoothly into the production line. Your contributions will extend from process development to quality assurance, leading prototype production runs, and facilitating continuous improvement initiatives. You will mentor your team, engage with cross‑functional stakeholders, and maintain adherence to safety and quality standards, all while advancing the manufacturing capabilities that support diverse Vacuum Technique divisions.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline, or demonstrable experience.
- At least 3 years’ experience supporting PCA operations and 3 years’ involvement in an NPI role with design for manufacturing responsibility for electronic products.
- Full understanding of PFMEA and DFMEA considerations within an electronics assembly environment.
- Experience with Printed Circuit Assemblies (Surface Mount and conventional components).
- Excellent understanding of Lean Manufacturing Techniques.
- Excellent team‑working ability and interpersonal communication skills.
- Flexibility to run multiple projects in a small company environment.
- Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.
- Ability to communicate at all levels within the organization.
Desired Skillset
- Understanding of in‑circuit testing.
- Lean Six Sigma belt accredited.
Location & Team
The role is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK. Total team size is approximately six people.
Compensation & Benefits
We offer compensation that reflects the skills, experience, and responsibilities of the role. Pay also depends on the country where the job role is based. During the recruitment process we share clear information about pay and benefits for your location.
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