Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description Summary

At Dowty, a GE Aerospace company, we design, manufacture, repair and overhaul propeller systems for Military and Civil applications from our state-of-the-art facility in Gloucestershire, UK. Our propeller expertise is helping inform the development of Open Fan technology through the CFM RISE program.

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will join a close-knit team of process engineers working across a broad range of manufacturing processes, including support for our finishing line, including injection moulding, bonding and spray coating applications. You will help turn design intent into robust, repeatable production processes, and make sure the people on the shop floor are equipped, trained and supported to deliver them.

You will work closely with design, quality, planning, operations and the shop floor, and report into an experienced lead engineer who will help you get up to speed. Curiosity, a hands-on approach and a structured way of solving problems matter as much as the technical detail. The focus of your work will be shaped around your experience and the needs of the team, so we are looking for someone who enjoys learning and is comfortable with variety.

Job Description

What you’ll do

• Own and improve your processes. You will support the development, establishment and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes, including those on our finishing line, from raw material through to finished product, placing Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) at the centre of every decision.

• Solve problems on the shop floor. You will work directly with manufacturing, quality and engineering colleagues to investigate and resolve technical issues, using structured problem-solving methods such as 8D, Red X, Lean and Six Sigma, and presenting data-driven solutions.

• Support root cause corrective action. You will contribute to Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) activities and represent the team in wider forums where required.

• Validate through hands-on trials. You will take an active part in process trials and the manufacture of development parts, so that new and changed processes are proven, capable and ready to scale.

• Work with design. You will collaborate with design engineering so that manufacturability is considered early, and feed back manufacturing challenges and lessons learned.

• Write it down and train it. You will author and continually improve clear, concise work instructions and routings aligned with technical specifications, and make sure operators are trained and supported through any change in process or technique.

• Use data to make decisions. You will develop process records and data collection, and use statistical techniques to identify trends and emerging issues before they affect delivery.

• Own tooling and process documentation. You will define and maintain equipment, tooling and spares requirements for your processes, and design and acquire the tooling and fixtures needed for each design iteration.

• Be the process voice for equipment and layout. You will act as a process subject matter expert (SME), advising on equipment, installation and layout activity led by other teams, and providing technical process input through installation and commissioning.

• Keep production flowing. You will develop and propose salvage and rework solutions that maintain compliance while keeping product moving.

• Contribute to quality planning. You will contribute to APQP and FMEA activities, helping to cascade critical characteristics into control plans and quality systems.

• Improve year on year. You will help drive improvements in turnaround time, yield, cycle time and defects per unit, and be a point of contact for colleagues on your processes.

• Work as part of the team. You will contribute to a mixed-skill team in a self-motivated, pragmatic way, and work with suppliers and vendors where required.

What you’ll bring

Who you are

• Curious, adaptable and keen to learn new processes, technologies and ways of working.

• Hands-on and comfortable on the shop floor, building trust with the people who run the processes.

• Safety-first, with a commitment to a safe and compliant working environment.

• A clear communicator, in conversation, in writing and when presenting.

• A structured problem solver with a sound analytical approach.

What you know

• A baseline understanding of structured manufacturing engineering in a larger organisation, such as process development, work instructions, routings and process validation.

• An engineering qualification at HNC level or above, or equivalent knowledge and experience in a manufacturing engineering environment.

• Working knowledge of a problem-solving methodology (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, DMAIC, Red X).

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, BOMs and technical specifications.

• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and how to comply with them.

Highly desirable experience

• Composite knowledge, which is very highly valued. It is not essential, but experience of composite materials and manufacturing processes will put you at a clear advantage and will help you make an impact quickly.

• Experience of finishing or polymer processing, such as spraying, coating or injection moulding.

• Experience creating work instructions and routings in aerospace or another regulated industry.

• Familiarity with APQP, FMEA and control plans.

• Experience of tooling and fixture design or development, and of CAD (Catia, AutoCAD or similar).

• Understanding of GD&T.

Flexible Working

GE supports and encourages flexible working arrangements, where possible, and recognises the benefits to employees of having a positive work-life balance.

Total Reward

At GE Aerospace we understand the importance of Total Reward. Our flexible benefits plan, called FlexChoice, gives you freedom, choice and flexibility in the way you receive your benefits, as well as giving you the opportunity to make savings where possible.

As a new joiner to GE we are pleased to be able to offer you the following as default in your benefit fund, which you then can tailor to meet your individual needs;

• Non-contributory Pension          
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection            
• Private medical cover    
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell

Security Clearance

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained for this role. Please note that in the event that BPSS clearance cannot be obtained, you may not be eligible for the role and/or any offer of employment may be withdrawn on grounds of national security. Please see the link below for further details regarding the requirements for BPSS clearance: BPSS

Right to Work

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. However, under the applicable UK immigration rules as may be in place from time to time, it may be that candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK may not be appointed to a post if a suitably qualified, experienced and skilled candidate who does not require sponsorship is available to take up the post. For further information please visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

Additional Information