Manufacturing Specialist (Defence & Space) Great Chesterford, Essex | Full-time | Hybrid (min. 3 days in office) £60,000 - £70,000 (Depending on experience) I’m currently working with an exciting business in Great Chesterford who are looking to add a Manufacturing Specialist to their team. This is a key hire that will help grow and reinvigorate their manufacturing capability, integrating it fully into their R&D and product development offering. The role will focus on complex electronic PCB assemblies and mechanical housings, covering everything from prototype to volume production. The Role Reporting directly to the Head of Engineering Office based in Great Chesterford (hybrid, minimum 3 days a week in-office) Some UK & international travel to clients, suppliers, and contract manufacturers Responsibilities Create and deliver the strategy to expand manufacturing capability and link it into wider development services Drive processes forward, keeping the business aligned with the latest technologies and best practice Support DfMA and transfer-to-manufacture for low-to-mid volume products (including complex RF systems) Manage and coordinate supply chain partners and contract manufacturers in the UK and overseas Work closely with the Quality Manager to review supplier performance, resolve issues, and hold them accountable Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and technicians to deliver projects successfully About You Confident communicator, able to work with engineers through to senior executives Comfortable in a fast-paced, consultancy-style environment with plenty of client interaction Experienced across the full product development lifecycle, ideally with low-tomid volume RF products Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods and equipment, including SMT Well connected with supply chain partners and CMs in the UK and internationally Analytical, detail-focused, and confident in both mechanical and electronic design Bonus: Experience in the space sector (ESA / ECSS standards or flight model verification testing)