Production / Manufacturing Engineer
Are you an engineer with experience improving manufacturing processes, supporting production teams, and driving continuous improvement in a fast-paced industrial environment? We are recruiting for a Production / Manufacturing Engineer to join an established engineering business in Cramlington, supporting both day-to-day production performance and longer-term process improvement initiatives.
This is a varied role that combines hands-on production support with broader manufacturing engineering responsibilities. It would suit someone who enjoys solving technical problems, improving efficiency, analysing performance data, and working closely with production, quality, and maintenance teams to deliver safe, stable and cost-effective manufacturing processes.
BENEFITS:
· Overtime available
· Good pension
LOCATION: Cramlington, Northumberland
COMMUTABLE LOCATIONS: Newcastle upon Tyne, Gateshead, Blyth, Ashington, Bedlington, Morpeth, North Shields, South Shields, Whitley Bay
JOB DESCRIPTION: Production Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, Continuous Improvement Engineer, Industrial Engineer
As our Production / Manufacturing Engineer, you will support the performance, stability and development of manufacturing operations across a busy industrial site. The role will involve a mix of day-to-day engineering support to production, process optimisation, continuous improvement activity, and technical problem-solving across forging and machining operations.
You will be responsible for helping improve output, quality and efficiency by identifying process issues, analysing production data, supporting root cause investigations, and implementing robust engineering solutions. You will also play a key role in maintaining manufacturing documentation, supporting new product introduction, and helping ensure equipment, tooling and processes are ready to meet production demands.
This position would suit someone from a manufacturing or production engineering background who is comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and enjoys balancing practical operational support with structured continuous improvement work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
As our Production / Manufacturing Engineer, you will:
· Develop, improve and optimise manufacturing processes to increase efficiency, quality and output
· Provide hands-on engineering support to production teams and respond to technical issues on the shop floor
· Support forging and machining operations with process improvement and technical problem-solving
· Analyse production data including OEE, scrap, downtime and rework, implementing corrective actions where needed
· Improve cycle times, productivity and overall process reliability
· Lead and support root cause analysis activities using structured problem-solving techniques
· Drive continuous improvement initiatives including Lean, 5S, Kaizen and waste reduction
· Create and maintain process documentation, SOPs, control plans and work instructions
· Support CNC programming optimisation and production process stability
· Ensure tooling, equipment and manufacturing processes are production-ready
· Support process validation, new product introduction and production trials
· Work closely with Production, Quality and Maintenance teams to improve operational performance
· Support capital investment projects, equipment upgrades and broader engineering improvement activity
· Ensure compliance with health and safety, quality and regulatory standards across manufacturing operations
PERSON SPECIFICATION:
We are open to candidates with experience in either manufacturing engineering or production engineering, provided you have strong process improvement skills and experience supporting manufacturing operations in an industrial environment.
You will likely have:
· A degree, HNC or HND in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Production Engineering or a related discipline
· Previous experience within a manufacturing, production, industrial, automotive or heavy engineering environment
· A strong understanding of process optimisation and Lean manufacturing principles
· Experience supporting day-to-day production performance and resolving technical issues
· Knowledge of performance metrics such as OEE, scrap, downtime and rework
· Experience with structured problem-solving tools such as 8D, Fishbone and 5 Whys
· Strong analytical skills and a data-driven approach to identifying improvement opportunities
· The ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively with different departments
· A practical, solutions-focused mindset and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment
It would also be beneficial, although not essential, if you have:
· Experience within forging, machining, automotive, heavy industry or regulated manufacturing environments
· Experience with CAD software and technical drawings
· Knowledge of quality tools such as PFMEA, Control Plans and SPC
· Experience supporting tooling design, fixture development or equipment specification
· Exposure to capital projects, process validation or new product introduction activity
· Experience supporting CNC process optimisation or programming improvement
THE COMPANY:
This is an opportunity to join a long-established and well-regarded engineering and manufacturing business supplying precision components into demanding industrial markets. The company operates within a quality-driven, highly regulated environment and offers the chance to play an important role in improving manufacturing performance, supporting production, and contributing to ongoing engineering excellence.
WHY APPLY?
· Join a stable and established engineering business
· Take on a varied role combining production support and manufacturing improvement
· Be involved in continuous improvement, problem-solving and operational optimisation
· Work closely with cross-functional teams in a practical manufacturing environment
· Opportunity to make a visible impact on efficiency, quality and output
· Good pension, overtime available and long-term career opportunities