Manufacturing Engineer
North Yorkshire
Step into a role where engineering meets impact-where your decisions directly shape the performance of advanced composite components operating in some of the most extreme air, land, and sea environments on the planet.
We are seeking a Manufacturing Engineer to join a high-performing, forward-thinking advanced composites manufacturing environment supporting aerospace and defence applications. This is a hands-on, production-facing engineering role where you will help ensure complex composite components are fully optimised for manufacture, delivered right first time, and continuously improved throughout their lifecycle.
The Opportunity
You will operate at the critical interface between engineering and production-ensuring manufacturability, improving process performance, and supporting the seamless transition of complex composite structures into full-scale production.
From early-stage tooling discussions through to production handover, you will play a key role in making manufacturing more efficient, consistent, and robust.
You will:
Drive continuous improvement across composite manufacturing processes using Lean tools and structured problem-solving
Lead root cause and corrective action (RCCA) activity to eliminate repeat non-conformances
Support first-off builds and ensure robust production readiness
Develop and maintain job cards, work instructions, and production planning documentation
Collaborate with production and process engineers on tooling, materials, and fixture selection
Improve accuracy of manufacturing estimates (hours and materials)
Contribute to materials review boards and engineering change activities
Support alignment between design intent and manufacturabilityEssential Requirements
Must be eligible to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship or Visa.
Proven experience as a Manufacturing Engineer within a composite manufacturing environment
Experience in at least one of the following processes:
Pre-preg composites
Vacuum Infused Resin Transfer Moulding (VRTM)
Filament winding
Exposure to multiple manufacturing processes within a production environment
Demonstrable experience recommending and selecting materials for manufacturing applications
Proven track record of delivering projects from concept through to full production implementation
Strong experience interrogating engineering drawings and technical dataDesirable Experience
The following are not essential but would be advantageous:
ONC/HNC (or equivalent) in Mechanical / Production Engineering, or time-served apprenticeship in a relevant discipline
Experience working in complex, high-precision manufacturing environments (aerospace, defence, automotive, marine, etc.)
Strong understanding of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies
Experience applying root cause analysis and structured problem-solving techniques
Familiarity with production planning, estimating, and manufacturing documentation systems
Strong communication skills across engineering and production teams
Ability to influence and drive change in a fast-paced manufacturing settingWhy This Role?
This is an opportunity to work in a specialist advanced composites environment where engineering quality and manufacturing excellence go hand in hand. You will be part of a fully integrated facility where design, tooling, manufacturing, and testing are closely aligned-allowing real engineering ownership from concept through to delivery.
You'll also benefit from:
25 days annual leave + bank holidays
Pension scheme (employer contribution up to 5%)
Health Cash Plan and wellbeing support
Employee Assistance Programme (including family access)
Death in Service cover
Structured probation and onboarding support
A culture built on innovation, teamwork, agility, accountability, integrity, and leadershipIf you are a Manufacturing Engineer who thrives on improving complex composite processes and turning engineering intent into reliable production reality, this is a role where your impact will be immediately visible and genuinely valued.
At Morgan Ryder we can provide you with a full range of employment opportunities from short term and fixed term temporary vacancies to permanent positions.
We recruit for companies that operate in the following industries: Defence Equipment, Food and Drink Manufacturers, FMCG, Packaging, Engineering, Automotive, Aerospace, Warehousing, Logistics, Waste Management, Petro Chemical, Pharmaceutical, Power & Renewable Energy.
Our commitment:
Equal opportunities are important to us. We believe that diversity and inclusion at Morgan Ryder Associates are critical to our success as DE&I positive company, so we want to recruit, develop, and keep the best talent. We encourage applications from everyone, regardless of background, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, ethnicity, belief, age, family or parental status, and any other characteristic.
Please note that calls to and from the offices of Morgan Ryder Associates Ltd. may be monitored or recorded. This is to ensure compliance with regulatory procedures, record business transactions and for training purposes