Manufacturing Engineer Fri, 9 Jan 2026

Prismatic is a technology development company, specialising in the design, manufacture and delivery of innovative, high value aerospace products and systems. Prismatic is a subsidiary of BAE systems, led by a technically and commercially focused team. Our cutting edge systems (such as the high altitude PHASA 35) have clear commercial value, are developed at pace and address critical customer needs.

As a Manufacturing Engineer working in the UAS (Unmanned Aerial Systems) aerospace sector, you will be responsible for the creation and maintenance of manufacturing instructions, planning, defining, implementing and improving production systems and processes that enable efficient, compliant and repeatable manufacturing of UAS platforms and their subsystems. You will work across cross functional teams (design, quality, supply chain, production, compliance) to ensure new products are manufacturable, cost effective and aligned with defence/aerospace quality standards.

Responsibilities - Manufacturing Engineer

• Plan and optimise manufacturing processes for UAS airframe structures, composites, avionics assemblies, and subsystems.
• Develop, test and refine process flows, layouts, and work standards for UAS production (e.g. lean cell layouts, line balancing).
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation such as:
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • Work instructions and shop floor routings
  • Process and quality cards
  • Bills of materials and manufacturing process charts.
• Support New Product Introduction activities:
  • Gap analysis between prototype designs and production readiness
  • Process design and validation for new or revised UAS platforms
  • Production trials, capability studies and sign off.
• Apply DFMA principles to influence design decisions that improve manufacturability and reduce production risk and cost.
• Work closely with design engineers to ensure components meet manufacturing capability and quality standards.
• Analyse production data and drive continuous improvement initiatives:
  • Reduce defects, cost, lead time and variability
  • Increase throughput and yield
  • Implement Lean / Six Sigma tools across production lines.
• Support shop floor engineers and technicians by diagnosing and resolving manufacturing problems (root cause analysis, corrective actions).
• Manage Non Conformance Reports (NCRs) and process deviation investigations in coordination with quality teams.
• Use engineering and production systems:
  • CAD/CAM
  • Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) / SAP ME
  • ERP systems for routing and BOM control.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety and aerospace quality standards.
• Where applicable, support regulatory compliance (e.g. airworthiness standards for UAS).

Requirements - Manufacturing Engineer

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Manufacturing Engineering, or a comparable field, or substantial equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in a manufacturing engineering role within aerospace, defence, or a high reliability regulated sector.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes including assembly, machining, composites, and electronics integrations typical for UAS systems.
• Proficient in process documentation, engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with Unmanned Aerial Systems production, low volume/high complexity manufacturing (e.g. avionics, composites).
• Knowledge of aerospace quality standards (e.g. AS9100).
• Understanding of SAP, MES, MRP/ERP systems.
• Exposure to root cause analysis tools (FMEA, 8D).

Soft Skills - Manufacturing Engineer

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
• Excellent communication and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
• Self motivated with a proactive approach to continuous improvement.

Responsibilities - Avionics Test Engineer

• Support test flight trials inside and outside of UK, specifically preparing avionics for flight.
• Contribute to the generation of test plans, organising and presenting at test readiness review boards.
• Support qualification and acceptance testing, recording/analysing results, presenting at test review boards and generating end item data packs.
• Carry out analysis tasks from flight data.
• Work with Lead System Engineer to ensure flight readiness.
• Run test procedures, collect data, and write up technical reports.
• Provide input into design from a Flight Ground maintenance perspective.
• Support quality and product assurance.
• Support internal, external, and customer audit activities.
• Engage with customers and key stakeholders.

Requirements - Avionics Test Engineer

• Practical background in avionics or electronics engineering, ideally within aerospace or a related high reliability industry.
• Hands on experience with installation, troubleshooting, testing, and maintenance of avionics systems.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, as well as independently when required.
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, engage the right stakeholders, and provide solutions.
• Experience contributing to and executing test procedures, including data collection, analysis, and technical reporting.
• Familiarity with qualification and acceptance testing, generating documentation, and presenting at review boards.
• Willingness and flexibility to support flight trials in the UK and overseas, sometimes at short notice.
• Understanding of flight readiness activities and avionics ground support requirements.
• Knowledge of quality and product assurance practices, with a commitment to safety and compliance.
• Clear and confident communication skills, comfortable presenting to managers, peers, and external stakeholders.
• Experience working on prototype, research, or experimental aircraft programmes.
• Knowledge of aerospace regulatory requirements, flight test operations, and avionics maintenance standards.
• Familiarity with test readiness review processes, end item data packs, and audit compliance.
• Experience analysing flight data and contributing to system level improvements.
• Ability to provide design feedback from a ground maintenance and operational perspective.

Personal Attributes - Avionics Test Engineer

• Safety focused and detail oriented with a high standard of workmanship.
• Proactive, adaptable, and comfortable working in a fast paced and evolving environment.
• Strong team player who also shows initiative when working independently.
• Professional and collaborative approach when engaging with customers, auditors, and key stakeholders.

What We Offer

• Location: Alton (Hampshire), UK.
• Contract: Permanent, 37.5 hours per week (excluding breaks). Hybrid working (where applicable), giving you the flexibility to balance time between home and our offices (norm is 3 days a week).
• Salary: Competitive - dependent on experience.
• Bonus: Non contractual company performance related bonus.
• Pension: 10% company contribution, plus salary exchange options for AVCs.
• Green Benefits: Access to our Green Car/EV scheme via salary exchange.
• Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays (rising to 28 days after 3 years' service).
• Employee Schemes: Eligibility for the BAE Systems Share Incentive Scheme, Company Performance Free Share awards, Cycle to Work scheme, and a Halfords Trade Discount Card.
• Community & Culture: Social and employee engagement activities through our Prismatic Pulse group.
• Wellbeing: Access to Occupational Health support, including an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).

How to Apply To apply for the Manufacturing Engineer role, please send your CV and a covering email to . In your application, please confirm:

• That you have the right to work in the UK and can commute to the location of work.
• That you have been a UK resident for at least 5 years and can meet any required background checks (or security clearance requirements where applicable).
• Your salary expectations for the role.
• Your availability or current notice period.

To apply for the Avionics Test Engineer role, please send your CV and a covering email via Indeed. In your application, please confirm:

• That you have the right to work in the UK and can commute to the location of work.
• That you have been a UK resident for at least 5 years and can meet any required background checks (or security clearance requirements where applicable).
• Your salary expectations for the role.
• Your availability or current notice period.

Proud to Support the Armed Forces Community We know that the discipline, teamwork, problem solving skills, and resilience gained through military life are a huge asset to our organisation. That's why we encourage applications from veterans, reservists, and the partners and families of those serving. If you've served in any capacity, or supported someone who has, we'd love to hear from you.

We Hire Direct - No Agency Submissions or Enquiries, Please . click apply for full job details