Production Engineer (Full Lifecycle Development)
Location: Northampton
Salary: £30,000 - £50,000 (Dependent on Experience)
Job Type: Permanent | Full-Time
Impact Recruitment is supporting a well‑established and highly innovative engineering and manufacturing business in their search for a Production Engineer with strong design and product development capability.
This is not a purely production‑based role. It is a design‑led position within a manufacturing environment, ideal for an engineer who enjoys taking ownership of products from concept through to full‑scale production. You will play a key role in shaping product design, ensuring manufacturability, and supporting successful delivery into production.
The Role
You will be responsible for the full product lifecycle, with a particular emphasis on design engineering and Design for Manufacture. Working closely with cross‑functional teams, you will ensure that products are not only innovative but also practical, efficient, and production‑ready.
Key Responsibilities
* Leading end‑to‑end product development, from concept design through to production implementation
* Producing detailed designs using CAD (ideally Autodesk Inventor), with a strong focus on manufacturability
* Applying Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles at all stages of development
* Developing prototypes, conducting testing, and supporting validation and verification activities
* Designing jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids to support efficient production processes
* Acting as the key link between design and production, ensuring smooth transition into manufacturing
* Providing hands‑on technical support on the shop floor, troubleshooting design and production issues
* Driving continuous improvement across both product design and manufacturing processes
* Collaborating with internal teams and external stakeholders to deliver products to specification
* Occasional UK and international travel as required
About You
We are looking for a design‑led engineer who thrives in a manufacturing environment and enjoys seeing their designs come to life on the shop floor. You will ideally have:
* A degree in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent practical experience)
* Proven experience in product design and development within a manufacturing setting (minimum 2 years)
* Strong CAD capability (ideally Autodesk Inventor or similar)
* A solid understanding of engineering standards and structured product development processes
* Experience applying DFM/DFA principles in real‑world applications
* The ability to balance design intent with practical production constraints
* Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross‑functionally
* A hands‑on, problem‑solving mindset with a proactive approach
What’s on Offer
* Flexible working hours
* Hybrid working (Fridays)
* Early finish on Fridays
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays
* Pension contribution (5%)
* Life assurance (4x salary)
* Healthcare support scheme
* Free refreshments on‑site
Why Apply?
This is an excellent opportunity for a design‑focused Production Engineer to join a forward‑thinking business where design plays a critical role in manufacturing success. You will have genuine ownership of projects, influence over product development, and the opportunity to see your designs progress from concept through to reality.
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