Manufacturing Engineer - Fabrication & Heavy Engineering

Manufacturing Engineer - Fabrication & Heavy Engineering
Location: Stockport, Greater Manchester

Hands-on manufacturing engineering role supporting fabrication, welding and large structural assemblies within a heavy engineering environment.

We are currently recruiting for a Manufacturing Engineer to join a leading UK engineering manufacturer operating within the defence and heavy engineering sector.

The organisation manufactures large-scale fabricated structures and vehicle-mounted systems used in specialist defence and mobility applications, including deployable bridging equipment. With a long-standing reputation for high-quality engineering and advanced manufacturing, the business continues to invest in its UK production capability and engineering teams.

This opportunity would suit a hands-on manufacturing engineer who enjoys solving production challenges and improving manufacturing processes within a fabrication and assembly environment. This is a shop-floor focused engineering role supporting fabrication and assembly operations within a large-scale manufacturing environment.

The Role

The focus of this position is to develop and implement improvements to manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, product quality and delivery performance.

The role is highly practical and involves working closely with production teams to support fabrication and assembly activities while driving continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement improvements to manufacturing processes to increase efficiency and product consistency.
• Provide hands-on manufacturing engineering support within fabrication and assembly areas.
• Identify and resolve build or quality issues in welding, fabrication and mechanical assembly environments.
• Optimise factory layouts to improve workflow, reduce waste and maintain safe working practices.
• Develop and implement effective jigging, fixturing and alignment processes to ensure dimensional accuracy.
• Identify opportunities for process automation and manufacturing improvements.
• Drive initiatives to reduce build hours and improve operational performance.
• Lead and support continuous improvement programmes using lean manufacturing principles.
• Support new product introduction by providing Design for Manufacture (DfM) input.
• Work cross-functionally with engineering, production and project teams to support programme delivery.
• Lead structured problem-solving and process improvement activities.
• Ensure manufacturing, quality and health & safety procedures are followed.
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation and standard operating procedures.

Candidate Profile

The successful candidate will have a strong manufacturing engineering background within heavy engineering, fabrication or complex manufacturing environments.

Key experience and skills include:

• Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering background (Degree, HND or Advanced/Higher Apprenticeship).
• Experience working in heavy engineering, fabrication, defence, rail, automotive or similar manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of welding, metal fabrication and mechanical assembly processes.
• Experience improving manufacturing processes within factory-based production environments.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Experience using CAD software such as AutoCAD or similar drafting tools.
• Knowledge or experience of jig and fixture design.
• Strong practical problem-solving ability within production environments.
• Experience working collaboratively with technicians, production teams and engineers.

Desirable experience:

• Knowledge of SAP or other manufacturing planning systems.
• Experience structuring Bills of Materials (BOMs) from design through to manufacture.
• Familiarity with GD&T and welding drawings.
• Exposure to automation or large capital equipment improvement projects.
• Experience analysing manufacturing process data to support improvements.
• Knowledge of relevant HSE regulations within engineering environments.

Working Environment

• Large-scale engineering manufacturing facility
• Heavy fabrication, welding and mechanical assembly
• Engineers working closely with technicians and production teams
• Complex engineered systems and structural assemblies

Benefits

The successful candidate will have access to a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive pension scheme
• Half-day finish on Fridays
• Life assurance scheme
• Enhanced company sick pay
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Additional holiday entitlement with long service
• Wellbeing initiatives
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Free on-site parking
• Electric vehicle charging facilities

Additional Information

For further information or a confidential discussion, please apply or contact Coral at DCS Engineering with an up-to-date CV.

DCS Recruitment and all associated companies are committed to creating a working environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly, regardless of gender, gender identity, disability, ethnic origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, marital or transgender status, age, or nationality