Manufacturing Engineer – Bridges
Stockport | £45,000-£55,000 | Permanent
A specialist defence engineering manufacturer is looking to recruit a Manufacturing Engineer to support the production of rapidly deployable military bridge systems at its North West site. The role sits within a high‑integrity environment, focused on large, complex structures used to enable mobility across challenging terrain in both operational and humanitarian settings.
Working closely with production and engineering teams, you’ll play a key role in improving build quality, efficiency and process control across bridge fabrication and assembly activities.
The role
This is a hands‑on, shop‑floor focused position, centred on how modular bridge systems are manufactured, assembled and delivered. Responsibilities include:
- Reviewing and optimising manufacturing processes for bridge structures, sub‑assemblies and welded fabrications
- Driving improvements in productivity, repeatability and build consistency across bridge manufacture
- Identifying opportunities to reduce waste, improve cycle times and enhance tooling and fixturing
- Analysing quality and production data, leading corrective and preventive actions
- Supporting new product introduction, with a focus on Design for Manufacture within modular bridge systems
- Implementing structured problem‑solving (8D, CAPA) to address build and process issues
- Working cross‑functionally to improve cost, quality and delivery performance
- Ensuring all manufacturing activity meets required EHS, quality and defence standards
- Leading both immediate containment actions and longer‑term process improvements
What you’ll need
- HND, advanced apprenticeship or degree in Manufacturing or Mechanical Engineering
- Experience in a manufacturing engineering role within heavy fabrication or complex mechanical assemblies
- Background working with large welded steel structures, ideally within defence, mobility systems or modular equipment
- Experience with lean and continuous improvement methodologies
- Strong, practical problem‑solving skills with a shop‑floor focus
- Confident communicator, able to work across production, engineering and quality teams
- ERP experience (e.g. SAP) is beneficial but not essential
What’s on offer
- Pension: 4% employee, 7% employer contribution
- Half‑day Fridays
- Life assurance and enhanced sick pay, increasing with service
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
- Long‑service awards and additional holiday
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme
- Free on‑site parking and EV charging
- Modern, collaborative engineering environment
This is a permanent opportunity within a well‑established defence engineering business delivering advanced bridging systems used by military and emergency response teams worldwide.
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