Manufacturing Engineer - Heavy Fabrication

Manufacturing Engineer – Defence Fabrication Location: North West – Engineering Centre of Excellence Salary: £50,000 + Benefits A long‑established UK defence engineering specialist is continuing to expand its North West Engineering Centre of Excellence. Known for delivering highly engineered mechanical and structural systems for demanding military environments, the business is now seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong background in fabrication and heavy manufacturing to support production performance and continuous improvement across the site. About the Role This position focuses on developing, refining, and controlling fabrication-led manufacturing processes. The role plays a key part in improving build quality, weld integrity, manufacturability, and overall production efficiency. Working closely with operations, engineering, and quality teams, the Manufacturing Engineer will drive improvements that enhance throughput, reduce variation, and strengthen process capability. Key Responsibilities Optimise and standardise manufacturing processes for large, complex welded and fabricated assemblies. Identify opportunities to reduce waste and improve cycle times, changeover performance, and tooling/fixture effectiveness. Analyse quality trends to prioritise robust corrective and preventive actions. Develop and manage structured improvement plans with measurable outcomes. Lead and support cross-functional teams to embed lean practices and drive strong cost and delivery performance. Support NPI activity with a focus on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) within fabrication and welding. Promote a culture of continuous improvement using structured problem-solving tools such as 8D. Ensure compliance with EHS, manufacturing, and quality standards across all fabrication processes. Implement effective containment and long-term corrective actions for process deviations. What We’re Looking For HND, Higher/Advanced Apprenticeship, or Degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering. Proven background in manufacturing engineering within a technical, industrial, or heavy fabrication environment. Experience working with large-scale fabrications, welding processes, or heavy manufacturing flows. Practical knowledge of lean tools and continuous improvement methodologies. Strong problem-solving skills with a hands-on, shop-floor-led approach. Experience with SAP or other ERP systems (training available). Clear communicator with the ability to collaborate across operational and engineering teams. What’s on Offer £50,000 salary. 4% employee / 7% employer pension. Half-day Fridays. Life assurance and enhanced sick pay (rising with service). Wellbeing initiatives and an Employee Assistance Programme. Long service awards and additional holidays. On-site parking and EV charging. Cycle to Work Scheme and a modern, collaborative working environment. Data Protection Notice: By applying for this position, you consent to Recruit Engineering processing and storing your personal data, including your CV, contact details, and any other relevant information, for the purpose of providing work-finding services. This consent includes forwarding your details to our clients and storing your information on our recruitment software database. Your consent will last for two years, and you can withdraw it at any time by contacting us in writing or via email