Senior Production Engineer

A high-level, niche market engineering organisation in Norwich is seeking a Senior Production Engineer to join its team and take the lead in driving production improvements.

You will be responsible for analyzing and improving engineering and production processes, leading productivity improvement initiatives, and integrating new products to reduce waste and increase efficiency. This is an excellent opportunity for a driven engineer with a strong background in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement to make a real impact in a very interesting and growing sector.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee governance and review processes to ensure that manufacturing and engineering align across the entire product lifecycle (design, manufacture, test, in-service support) in adherence to strict SHEQ/ISO standards.
• Lead production improvement projects using Lean Manufacturing processes and Continuous Improvement principles, including 5S, FMEA, VSM, and A3 problem-solving.
• Identify and implement business-wide improvement opportunities using Lean tools to develop alternative production methods.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, and R&D teams to develop manufacturing solutions that meet growing production volumes in a high-mix environment.
• Support operations in solving production delays and technical issues.
• Develop and maintain controlled processes, documentation, and business systems to support operational efficiency.
• Lead the development of a risk-based approach to product and business improvement, utilizing PFMEA as needed.
• Conduct safety risk assessments for new equipment, assembly aids, or processes.
• Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) to relevant stakeholders.
• Drive value engineering efforts to reduce costs while maintaining product quality.
• Provide manufacturing support for new product and process integration, ensuring smooth implementation.
• Manage budgets and operations within tight deadlines, quality standards, and cost constraints.
• Perform other duties as required in support of the role.

About You:

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

• HNC/HND in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent experience in a production/manufacturing or quality-critical environment.
• Strong, demonstrable experience in Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement (e.g., 5S, FMEA, VSM, Process Flow, A3 problem-solving).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio) and Microsoft Project.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate and improve product and process designs.
• A process-driven mindset with the ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong collaboration skills with senior peers and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• A "can-do" attitude with a strong initiative and the willingness to take ownership of projects and responsibilities.

Desirable Skills:

• Experience in effective project management.
• Black Belt Certification in Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience with CAD packages.
• Electrical knowledge or testing experience.

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

• Primarily desk-based in a large, open-plan, air-conditioned office environment.
• Occasional work within a modern, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
• A fast-paced work environment with the need to meet deadlines, maintain quality standards, and manage project budgets.
• Occasional travel required, both within the UK and internationally.