Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Electrical
Ampthill, Bedfordshire
Permanent, 37.5h, 4 day working week Monday to Thursday
Salary: £55,000 – £70,000
We are seeking an experienced Senior Manufacturing Engineer specialising in electrical and cabling systems to lead the development, industrialisation, and continuous improvement of complex electrical harness manufacturing activities from initial design release through to full-rate production.
This role will play a key part in supporting both new product introduction (NPI) programmes and the optimisation of existing manufacturing operations, ensuring products are delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest aerospace quality standards.
The successful candidate will work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Programme teams to develop robust and scalable manufacturing solutions within a fast-paced aerospace and defence environment. The position requires a strong technical understanding of electrical harness assembly processes combined with practical experience implementing manufacturing improvements on the factory floor.
This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated engineer who thrives in a hands-on environment and is passionate about manufacturing excellence, process optimisation, and operational performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead manufacturing engineering activities for electrical harness and cabling assemblies across the full product lifecycle.
- Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities including process development, tooling definition, work instruction creation, and production readiness reviews.
- Develop and implement efficient manufacturing processes for electrical harness assembly, including:
Wire preparation and termination
Crimping and soldering
Braiding and shielding
Potting and encapsulation
Looming and routing
Electrical testing and inspection
- Translate engineering designs and drawings into robust, repeatable manufacturing methods and documentation.
- Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including:
Process specifications
Manufacturing routings
Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Work instructions
PFMEA and control plans
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on:
Cost reduction
Yield improvement
Scrap and rework reduction
Cycle time optimisation
Right-first-time manufacturing
- Provide technical support to production teams to resolve manufacturing and quality issues in a timely manner.
- Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies such as:
8D
RCA
Fishbone analysis
5 Whys
- Collaborate with Quality Engineering to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and customer requirements.
- Support design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) reviews during product development stages.
- Identify and implement tooling, fixture, and process improvements to enhance manufacturing capability and repeatability.
- Participate in internal and external audits and support regulatory and customer compliance activities.
- Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure manufacturing capability and component quality requirements are achieved.
- Mentor junior engineers and production personnel on manufacturing best practices and process standards.
- Support capacity planning, line balancing, and production ramp-up activities for new and existing programmes.
Required skills, qualifications and experience
- Degree-qualified in Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Proven experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role within aerospace, defence, automotive, or another highly regulated industry.
- Strong experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from prototype through to full production release.
- Demonstrated success delivering continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and cost reduction.
- Strong understanding of aerospace quality standards and regulatory requirements, including:
AS9100
IPC/WHMA-A-620
ESD control requirements
Configuration control processes
- Deep technical knowledge of electrical harness manufacturing processes, including:
Crimping
Braiding
Potting
Soldering
Cable routing and protection
Connector assembly and backshell integration
- Experience developing manufacturing documentation and production process controls.
- Proficient in CAD systems and manufacturing documentation tools.
- Experience using ERP and MRP systems within a production environment.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, quality, and production functions.
- Comfortable working within a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and programme deadlines simultaneously.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working within aerospace or defence electrical assembly manufacturing.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
- Experience with automated wire processing or harness test systems.
- Familiarity with APQP, PFMEA, and control plan development.
- Previous experience supporting customer and regulatory audits.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement qualification.
- Understanding of environmental and reliability testing requirements for aerospace electrical systems.
Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment that is aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. If you are interested in a position, we invite you to share how your skills and perspectives could bolster our team and encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined in our advertisement. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals. We are prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruitment@global.lmco.com or call 02392415270
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