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)