Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist

Job Description:

The opportunity:

We have an exciting opportunity within the Manufacturing Engineering function for a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist, working as part of the DragonFire Team.

As a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in our manufacturing operations, ensuring efficient production processes, adherence to quality standards, and timely project completion. You will develop, improve, and support manufacturing processes and equipment, enabling world-class production of Leonardo products. Your expertise will drive continuous improvement and contribute to our overall success. Preferred experience includes manufacturing of lasers, fibre lasers, optic fabrication, or optical coating design, along with extensive RCCA activities experience.

Leonardo is an international leader in developing cutting-edge sensor products deployed across various airborne platforms, pushing the boundaries of technology, accuracy, and safety in engineering globally.

The role is based in Edinburgh on-site, with occasional remote working possibilities.

What you'll do as a Lead Manufacturing Engineering Specialist:

1. Provide specialist input, applying your skills and knowledge to ensure project solutions meet stakeholder requirements.
2. Lead failure investigations, prioritize issues, and champion solutions using problem-solving techniques like 8D.
3. Work within a highly skilled team, providing data to aid operational decisions and failure review boards.
4. Track external technological developments for potential exploitation and knowledge sharing.
5. Develop manufacturing processes by studying product requirements, designing, testing, and modifying methods and equipment, and collaborating with operators and suppliers.
6. Act as a Manufacturing Engineering authority to approve product, process, or technology changes.
7. Lead and deliver manufacturing sections of maturity reviews, maintain governance, and contribute to manufacturing plans.
8. Advise on improving policies and processes within the operations framework.
9. Ensure manufacturing decision data is robust by reviewing schedules, labor, and material costs, and estimating future needs.
10. Prepare reports by analyzing data and trends.
11. Create a culture of continuous improvement by generating innovative ideas, analyzing capacity, planning workflows, and optimizing layout.
12. Review manufacturing documentation, including risk assessments, COSHH data, and technical reports.
13. Ensure product and process quality through design, validation, and standardization.
14. Maintain manufacturing data such as routings, plans, control plans, and work instructions.
15. Promote best practices and knowledge sharing.
16. Mentor and develop junior team members to enhance overall capability.
17. Support customer engagement and product roadmaps with domain expertise.
18. Maintain product and company reputation by complying with regulations.
19. Travel approximately 10% within the UK and worldwide.

You will have access to development opportunities in both virtual and practical environments.

Leonardo values personal development and has partnered with Coursera, offering around 4,000 courses for self-directed learning.

What we need from you:

• Essential: Minimum HND in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience.
• Desirable: Experience in manufacturing lasers, fibre lasers, optic fabrication, optical coating, and extensive RCCA activities.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing processes and principles.
• Engagement with engineering throughout the product lifecycle to ensure DFx principles are applied.
• Ability to influence and negotiate using data and analysis.
• Understanding of operational frameworks and business processes.
• Knowledge of product lifecycle phases and related processes.
• Experience peer reviewing work within product teams and ensuring actions are implemented.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
• Confidence to challenge and respond to technical issues with systems thinking.
• Effective management of relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Experience in capability or process development and implementing work practice changes.
• Proven manufacturing engineering experience focused on process optimization.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in engineering drawings and documentation.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.

Security Clearance:

You must be eligible for full security clearance. For more information, visit: UK Security Clearance Info

Life at Leonardo:

Leonardo offers a comprehensive benefits package, learning and development opportunities, and flexible working hours to support work-life balance.

• Flexible hours and hybrid working options.
• Company-funded benefits including healthcare, dental, and lifestyle allowances.
• Holidays: 25 days plus bank holidays, with options to buy/sell leave and accrue additional flexi days.
• Pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Wellbeing programs, including mental health support and diversity networks.
• Discounted gym memberships, cycle schemes, and free online courses.
• Referral incentives and employee bonuses.

Visit our website for a full list of benefits.

Leonardo is a global high-tech company in aerospace, defense, and security, with over 45,000 employees worldwide, including 8,000 in the UK.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone can thrive and feel safe.

Primary Location: GB - Edinburgh

Contract Type: Permanent

Hybrid Working: Onsite with flexible options