Permanent
Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Electrical
Electrical Engineering
Ampthill - Bedfordshire
About the Role
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
1. Lead manufacturing engineering activities for electrical harness and cabling assemblies across the full product lifecycle.
2. Support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities including process development, tooling definition, work instruction creation, and production readiness reviews.
3. Develop and implement efficient manufacturing processes for electrical harness assembly, including:Wire preparation and terminationCrimping and solderingBraiding and shieldingPotting and encapsulationLooming and routingElectrical testing and inspection
4. Translate engineering designs and drawings into robust, repeatable manufacturing methods and documentation.
5. Create and maintain manufacturing documentation including:Process specificationsManufacturing routingsStandard operating procedures (SOPs)Work instructionsPFMEA and control plans
6. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on:Cost reductionYield improvementScrap and rework reductionCycle time optimisationRight-first-time manufacturing
7. Provide technical support to production teams to resolve manufacturing and quality issues in a timely manner.
8. Conduct root cause investigations using structured problem-solving methodologies such as:8DRCAFishbone analysis5 Whys
9. Collaborate with Quality Engineering to ensure compliance with aerospace standards and customer requirements.
10. Support design for manufacture (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA) reviews during product development stages.
11. Identify and implement tooling, fixture, and process improvements to enhance manufacturing capability and repeatability.
12. Participate in internal and external audits and support regulatory and customer compliance activities.
13. Work closely with suppliers and subcontractors to ensure manufacturing capability and component quality requirements are achieved.
14. Mentor junior engineers and production personnel on manufacturing best practices and process standards.
15. Support capacity planning, line balancing, and production ramp-up activities for new and existing programmes.
Required skills, qualifications and experience
16. Degree-qualified in Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
17. Proven experience in a Manufacturing Engineering role within aerospace, defence, automotive, or another highly regulated industry.
18. Strong experience leading New Product Introduction (NPI) activities from prototype through to full production release.
19. Demonstrated success delivering continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, efficiency, and cost reduction.
20. Strong understanding of aerospace quality standards and regulatory requirements, including:AS9100IPC/WHMA-A-620ESD control requirementsConfiguration control processes
21. Deep technical knowledge of electrical harness manufacturing processes, including:CrimpingBraidingPottingSolderingCable routing and protectionConnector assembly and backshell integration
22. Experience developing manufacturing documentation and production process controls.
23. Proficient in CAD systems and manufacturing documentation tools.
24. Experience using ERP and MRP systems within a production environment.
25. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
26. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across engineering, quality, and production functions.
27. Comfortable working within a fast-paced, high-mix, low-volume manufacturing environment.
28. Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and programme deadlines simultaneously.
Desirable Experience
29. Experience working within aerospace or defence electrical assembly manufacturing.
30. Knowledge of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.
31. Experience with automated wire processing or harness test systems.
32. Familiarity with APQP, PFMEA, and control plan development.
33. Previous experience supporting customer and regulatory audits.
34. Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent continuous improvement qualification.
35. Understanding of environmental and reliability testing requirements for aerospace electrical systems.
Job Reference Number
19224BR
Salary Range
£55,000- £70,000
Employee Type
Full Time
Hours Per Week
37.5
Working Schedule
4xFlex
Country
United Kingdom (UK)
Clearance Required for Role
SC
Graduate, Intern or Apprentice Vacancy?
No
What we offer you
At Lockheed Martin our employees come first and therefore your physical, mental and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, respectful environment you can expect so much more.
We are an employer in support of and offering Flexible working with the option to also work a 4 day week depending on business requirements, where you have the option of Fridays off. We offer Competitive salaries alongside a flexible holiday entitlement.
We have a Wealth of benefits available to you that can be selected through our wellbeing tool upon commencement of employment. Just a few of our amazing benefits are shown below:
36. Private Medical Insurance
37. Competitive Pension
38. Dental
39. Critical Illness
40. Life Assurance
41. Travel Insurance
42. Employee discounts for top high street shops
43. Employee Assistance Program which includes free face to face counseling sessions, Legal advice, Financial advice, etc
44. Internal training and development alongside our Education assistance programmes
45. Reimbursement for a professional membership
46. Competitive policies that support flexibility and family leave inclusive of enhanced maternity leave
Business Environment
Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation with both domestic and international customers. It consists of business areas focusing on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects and Weapons, which provide a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other customers. We are looking for talented individuals to join the company, in return we offer an exciting and challenging career path and excellent work/life balance with a 4 day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.
Equal Opportunity Statement
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 end ngIf: ame != 'jobtitleInJobDetails' && ame != 'jobdescriptionInJobDetails' -->
Job Expires
21/05/2027
Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Electrical | LM Careers