WRAITH Group is veteran, and family owned Company where we pride ourselves in creating an environment that makes everyone feel as if they are part of the family too. We build the highest quality, hand-crafted tactical and armoured vehicles that save lives.
It's a responsibility that we take very seriously and requires the best candidates to join our team.
The business is currently preparing for an exciting period of phenomenal commercial growth, facilitating long term and permanent contracts to British and allied governments.
Despite this rapid growth we are committed to keeping honesty, integrity, and family values at our core.
We are a quality driven, prestigious engineering company serving the defence industry with head offices in Harrogate and further manufacturing facilities located around North Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Applications from ex-military personnel are strongly encouraged to apply.
Duties & Responsibilities:
* Read, interpret, and work from technical engineering drawings, specifications, and repair instructions.
* Mark out, cut, shape, and form materials (e.g. steel, armour plate, composites) using various tools and machines (cutting, bending, rolling, guillotines, saws, press brakes, etc.).
* Weld, join or assemble components using welding processes (MIG, TIG, arc, etc.), ensuring joints meet strength and finish standards.
* Fit and align armour plates, structural components, frames, subframes, supports, brackets according to tolerances.
* Perform work to tight tolerances, ensuring the final assembly meets armour protection, seal integrity, and structural strength.
* Carry out finishing work: grinding, milling, drilling, deburring, machining, surface preparation.
* Assist in repair work: replacement or refurbishment of damaged armour, welding patches, reinforcing hulls, etc.
* Use measuring instruments (e.g. callipers, micrometres, gauges) to verify dimensions.
* Follow risk assessments, safety procedures, and maintenance of safe working environment – especially relevant in handling heavy armour, hot works, working at height or in confined spaces.
* Maintain tools, equipment, and work area in good order.
* Possibly mentor apprentices or junior fabricators.
* Ensure compliance with quality assurance procedures, non-destructive testing (if required), inspection and documentation.
* Meet production schedules and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
* Carry out daily machine checks, ensuring that any fault is reported immediately.
* Checking finished work to ensure that it falls withing the tolerances marked on the blueprints.
* Welding butts and fillets to a high standard
* Work with fitters and other engineers to meet project targets and deadlines.
* Ensure that all work carried out is in compliance with company design, safety, quality, environmental compliance, and procedural standards.
* Carry out any reasonable ad-hoc duties requested by your direct Line Manager or the Management Team.
* Always promote teamwork and co-operation, both within individual locations and right across the entire company and treat all other employees and all our customers professionally and with respect.
* Safeguard all Company assets.
* Always work in a responsible manner to ensure safe working practices.
Skills and qualifications required:
Essential
* Trade qualification in fabrication, metalwork, or similar (e.g. apprenticeship, NVQ/SVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent).
* Prior experience working with heavy-duty metals, ideally with armour steel or ballistic-grade materials.
* A good engineering background
* Proficient in welding processes relevant to armour work and structural steel.
* Experience using fabrication machinery and hand tools.
* Knowledge of engineering drawing reading, tolerances, material properties.
* Strong attention to detail and finish.
* Physical capability to work with heavy materials, lifting, working in confined spaces or at height as required.
* Good understanding of health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regulations specific to fabrication and armour/defence manufacturing.
* Highly reliable, disciplined, with good time management and teamwork skills.
* Security clearance or ability to obtain one (especially for defence/armoured vehicle work).
Desirable
* Experience with ballistic protection standards and testing (e.g. NIJ, STANAG).
* Experience with composite or hybrid armour materials (not just steel).
* Knowledge of corrosion protection, coatings, finishing procedures.
* Skills in non-destructive testing (NDT) or readiness to train.
* Experience mentoring or leading small teams.
* Working Conditions
* Factory / workshop environment.
* Heavy manual handling.
* Exposure to noise, welding fumes, heat, grinding dust.
* Use of PPE mandatory.
* Potential shift work / overtime to meet production deadlines.
* Secure facility; must adhere to security protocols, possibly restricted access and visiting controls.
Security & Compliance
* Must meet baseline personnel security standards; possibly higher depending on the project.
* Confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive designs / material.
* Armoured Coded Welding Experience (Highly desired).
* TIG/MMA/MIG welding on stainless steel 316L, Alloy 800, duplex.
* Working knowledge of regulations and approved codes of practice.
Other
* Basic fillet welds and pipe butts to x-ray standard
* Experience using a variety of welding equipment, and electrical and manual tools.
* Knowledge of safety standards and willingness to use protective clothing.
* Good knowledge of English.
* Good understanding of basic maths.
* A highly motivated and confident individual with a strong desire to succeed.
* A full British driving licence.
* Residence and the right to work in the UK.
* A valid passport.
* Able to pass a DBS check.
The right candidate will:
* Passionate about ensuring excellent practices alongside a strong quality focus.
* Ability to work independently and with little supervision.
* Experience in projects, ensuring you have control of material and time management used.
* Have a can-do attitude and are willing to ensure that jobs are completed successfully and that we leave clients with an excellent lasting impression.
* Hardworking, honesty, integrity, reliability, and pride in your work are a must; you will represent the company in your daily work.
BENEFITS:
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunities for professional development and growth.
* Collaborative and supportive work environment.
* Company Pension.
* Mental Health Support.
* Birthday Voucher.
* Employee Profit Sharing Scheme.
* Employee Performance Bonus.
* Staff Events.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Bereavement leave
* Canteen
* Company events
* Company pension
* Cycle to work scheme
* Profit sharing
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Harrogate HG3: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
* Ballistic Protection (STANAG): 1 year (preferred)
* Coded Welding: 1 year (preferred)
* MIG welding: 2 years (preferred)
* Fabrication: 3 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person