Job Description
In the UK, Safran Seats specialises solely in the First Class and Business Class seating markets for wide body aircraft, with industrial and engineering teams in Cwmbran and Newport, Wales and Brackley, England.
As IPT lead manufacturing engineer, you will be responsible for leading a team of
manufacturing engineers and technicians and ensuring product designs meet manufacturing and assembly requirements. You will have a solid background in new product introduction from a manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities will include:
Ensure design reviews are supported at the right level and issues communicated, logged and resolved
Drive team to ensure design for assembly/manufacture issues are highlighted and eliminated at every key stage of the programme. Lead lessons learnt sessions of previous design issues at the beginning of projects
Work with other engineering functions to agree on development build requirements and ensure that builds are carried out and necessary improvements made
Ensure make vs buy activities are conducted on time and guided by the company's areas of core competency.
Review the make vs buy strategy with the purchasing department and propose changes
Develop a production strategy with operations that will ensure customers' requirements are adequately met and estimate CAPEX requirement for tooling
Ensure wastes are eliminated during the design of the production process and the team is trained in the application of lean methodology
Ensure APQP & PPAP documentation are compiled and released at the correct level of quality and on time.
Ensure PFMEAS are completed and all actions are closed. Periodically check aerospace standards for new updates to FMEA methodology
Work with systems engineering to agree on validation and verification requirements for new products. Ensure validation and verification requirements are built into the project plan
Ensure tools and equipment requirements are identified and budgeted for and specification documents capture not just functional requirements but ergonomic and health and safety requirements
Ensure industrialisation deliverables for key events such as PDR, CDR, Test builds, PTR and PPAP are planned and achieved
Ensure all industrialisation and production related issues are resolved before approving release of BOM
Recognise the need to carry out a route cause analysis to resolve an issue. Organise the required team and ensure the process is duly carried out
Check and approve engineering drawings ensuring effect of tolerances on the assembly process is taken into consideration
Ensure availability and accuracy of industrialisation timing plans for programmes. Use timing plans to manage and justify resource requirement. Propose, agree and implement mitigating actions for tasks on a critical path
Ensure programmes are on track as per programme and department gate schedules.
Job Requirements
Candidate skills:
B.Eng. in Mechanical, Manufacturing or Aerospace Engineering OR
HND gained through an apprenticeship
Minimum of 10 years in an aerospace or automotive manufacturing
environment
Proven experience of leading and developing a technical team
Experience of working within company and regulatory processes, standards and specifications
Excellent knowledge of design for manufacture and assembly principles
Good knowledge of manufacturing processes
Good knowledge and application of Lean Six Sigma principles
APQP & PPAP
PFMEA
Interrogation of 3D CAD modelling software
Ability to interpret 2D drawings
CATIA 3D CAD modelling software
No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to hear from you!
But what else? (advantages, specific features, etc.)
Our employees are at the heart of our success, as we work together for our sustainable future. There are four People Fundamentals that underpin life at Safran:
• We believe in and promote diversity and inclusion as key values across our business
• We develop our colleagues skills and build opportunities so you can shape our future
• We create a trustworthy work place to support you, as you dare to act and innovate
• We encourage collaboration and mutual support for you and your colleagues
As a valued member of our team, these are just a few of the benefits you'll receive:
• 25 days holiday + UK Bank Holidays
• Benefits Programme, with a number of schemes such as cycle to work, technology savings, retail discounts and access to private healthcare
• Career Progressions opportunities such as company sponsorship and further training courses
• Family friendly policies including maternity, paternity, adoptive parents, shared parental leave, parental leave and flexible working
• Equality & Diversity initiatives with internal groups for workplace engagement and involvement
• STEM engagement with schools, colleges and universities and Charitable activities for all
This role is subject to pre-employment checks, including but not limited to criminal record checks. While having unspent convictions may not necessarily prevent you from being employed, you are
Company Information
Safran is an international high-technology group, operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has a global presence, with 100,000 employees and sales of 27.3 billion euros in 2024, and holds, alone or in partnership, world or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is in the 2nd place in the aerospace and defense industry in TIME magazine's "World's best companies 2024" ranking.
Safran Seats is one of the world's leading manufacturers of aircraft seats, for both crew and passengers. 1 million Safran Seats-manufactured aircraft seats are currently in service with air fleets around the world.