Senior industrial engineer

Lotus Cars is renowned for crafting world-class, high-performance, and lightweight sports cars that are celebrated across the globe. Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all-electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking a Senior Industrial Engineer to join our dynamic Operations team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel.

Summary

This role is responsible for leading Industrial Engineering activities across current and future vehicle programmes, with ownership of headcount planning, capacity modelling, and manufacturing cost definition. The position plays a key role within the Lotus Product Development System (LPDS), influencing programme decisions from early concept (PSI) through to production and lifecycle optimisation. It ensures alignment between manufacturing capability, financial targets, and production strategy, directly impacting efficiency, cost performance, and delivery. The role has a broad business impact, influencing cross-functional decisions across Manufacturing Engineering, Finance, Production, and Product Engineering, while driving continuous improvement and standardisation across the plant.

What You'll Do

• Lead direct labour definition for new vehicle programmes from PSI through to Program Approval (PA) within LPDS
• Define and agree HPU (Hours per Unit) targets with Finance, and track performance post-PA
• Participate in Manufacturing workstreams to support Make vs Buy decisions and DFMA strategy
• Support virtual build events, defining operator allocation, time studies, and capacity validation
• Own and manage headcount planning processes, including manpower glidepaths, man maps, and labour distribution by department
• Develop and maintain capacity models aligned with production volumes and programme timing
• Ensure min/car impact is accurately defined and validated for all engineering changes (DRF / PCR)
• Track off-standard labour and ensure correct cost allocation in alignment with Finance
• Lead time study activities, ensuring consistency and accuracy across manufacturing
• Develop waste reduction and efficiency plans, and lead their implementation
• Support and mentor team members in Industrial Engineering methods and tools
• Support Manufacturing Engineering with: Cycle line layout planning across product lifecycle, Line balancing and workload optimisation, Plant rebalancing and line speed adjustments
• Promote and contribute to a continuous improvement culture, working closely with Manufacturing Engineering and Production

What you’ll bring

Essential

• HNC / HND / Degree in Industrial, Mechanical or Automotive Engineering.
• Industrial Engineering Experience.
• Experience working in a Production environment.
• Microsoft Excel literate

Desirable

• Experience in OEM or niche vehicles.
• Autocad / CATIA
• Performance Rating
• Time and Motion Study (MODAPTS, MTM)

What we offer

• 25 Vacation Days + Bank Holidays: Recharge, explore, or binge-watch your favorite series with plenty of time to relax and enjoy life outside of work.
• Performance Bonus: Get rewarded for your hard work with an exciting, non-contractual bonus scheme—because great effort deserves great perks.
• Future-Proof Pension: Plan for your tomorrow while thriving today with a solid pension scheme to keep your future bright.
• Private Healthcare: Stay healthy and stress-free with premium healthcare coverage tailored to keep you at your best.

Additional Information

• This role will be working from our Hethel plant within our flexible working policy.
• This role will close 15/06/26.

Our Company

Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with over 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully electric Hyper-GT, Emeya. As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them. Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars. In conjunction with production facilities in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines. We’re not just a car company; we’re a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars. Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/