About the job

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer/ Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Design Engineer for Jigs, Rigs & Fixtures)Location: Herefordshire, UK · Full-timeSalary: £50-80k DOE

Our client already has an aircraft that flies. Building it at scale, identically and at pace, is the challenge, and the part most defence programmes never get right. That problem is yours.

Our client is creating the software, hardware and networking that make unmanned systems effective on the modern battlefield, all ideated, designed and manufactured end-to-end in the UK, and in active use today.

deliberately low-profile, small in headcount and outsized in effect, looking for people who are not just talented but genuinely committed to the work, the team, and the purpose behind it.This role sits at the point where design intent becomes production reality. You will own the tooling, the processes and the production systems that turn an engineered product into something built repeatedly, reliably and at pace. Jigs, Rigs and fixture design and overall testing experience will massively help with this role.

• ResponsibilitiesFundamentally, Design, develop and validate jigs, fixtures and production tooling to support assembly and manufacture of precision components will be a crucial part of this role.
• Define and own manufacturing processes, work instructions and production standards across assigned areas
• Work closely with design engineers to drive design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) from the earliest stages of development
• Contribute to the development of manufacturing capability, processes, and standards as the function scales

• RequirementsNeeded:Demonstrable experience in a manufacturing engineering role, including process ownership and tooling development
• Experience designing jigs, rigs or fixtures or production tooling in 3D CAD
• Practical understanding of precision assembly, machining or fabrication processes
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, including GD&T
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, or troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical systems
• Degree in mechanical, manufacturing or production engineering, or a closely related discipline

• Preferred:Tooling and fixture design in SolidWorks specifically
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and structured problem solving such as 8D or 5 Why
• Experience working closely with design engineering teams on DFM and DFA
• Comfortable spending significant time on the shop floor, building, testing and improving processes first-hand
• Hands-on experience assembling, testing, or troubleshooting mechanical and electromechanical systems

• BenefitsThe job is demanding enough, so they try to take the everyday pressures off your plate. The benefits are built around that, starting with a genuine stake in what they are building.Share options vesting over three years, so you own a real piece of it
• Bupa private health, fully funded from day one
• 6% employer pension contribution
• 25 days leave plus bank holidays, and properly enhanced cover for both parents
• Enterprise level AI tooling, with as many tokens as you need to accelerate your work
• Relocation support if you are moving to join, or a home office budget if you work remotely