Manufacturing Engineer

Company Description

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place. 

Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.  

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

We are seeking a hands-on and driven Manufacturing Engineer to support and enhance our manufacturing operations in a high-mix, low-to-medium volume production environment. This role is instrumental in driving production efficiency, quality compliance, continuous improvement initiatives, and successful product introductions and transfers. You will work closely with Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and global stakeholders to ensure manufacturing excellence while supporting the delivery of high-quality products.

Key Responsibilities

Documentation & Quality Systems

• Maintain and update manufacturing documentation including JES, SOPs, PFMEAs, work instructions, and quality records.
• Manage equipment, machine, fixture, and jig maintenance SOPs and operational checklists.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation remains accurate, controlled, and aligned with quality requirements.

Production & Process Control

• Monitor, analyse, and report weekly and monthly OEE performance metrics.
• Develop and maintain Power BI dashboards and production reporting tools.
• Conduct TAKT time studies, touch-time assessments, and in-process quality audits from assembly through packaging.
• Identify and implement productivity, efficiency, and process improvement initiatives through tooling, methods, and layout optimization.
• Troubleshoot production issues, perform root cause analysis, and drive effective corrective actions.

Training & Production Support

• Support production teams with on-the-job training (OJT) programs and certification activities.
• Ensure operators are competent and trained on manufacturing processes and procedures.

Software & System Control

• Manage Hitrax software ECNs, including software verification, release to production, revision control, and issuance tracking.
• Generate software activation codes through the Dongle programming station based on Supply Chain requests.
• Maintain system and software configuration control records.

Customer Quality & Inspection Support

• Partner with the Customer Quality Engineer to investigate customer complaints, develop CAPAs, and resolve Product Concern Forms (PCFs).
• Coordinate and support Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) and third-party inspections with internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist in ensuring customer and regulatory quality requirements are met.

Equipment, Tooling & Supplier Management

• Manage supplier engagement for equipment, tooling, and materials procurement.
• Evaluate supplier products against technical and quality specifications.
• Drive manufacturing automation and process improvements through equipment and tooling enhancements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement approved manufacturing improvements that improve quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Provide hands-on engineering support during NPI builds, pilot runs, and production trials.
• Assess manufacturing readiness and provide feedback during early-stage builds.
• Compile and submit NPI reports highlighting findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations.

Product Transfer Projects

• Lead product transfer activities from planning through production launch.
• Establish new production lines, including equipment installation, layout design, workflow planning, and process setup.
• Coordinate and deliver training programs for transferred products.
• Set up and validate BOMs, routings, GDG requirements, and system configurations to ensure successful production readiness.

Continuous Improvement & Manufacturing Engineering

• Lead or support Lean Manufacturing, Design for Manufacture (DFM), and process validation initiatives.
• Analyse and improve manufacturing methods, labour utilisation, facility layout, and equipment effectiveness.
• Design or recommend tooling, fixtures, automation, and process enhancements.
• Compile and evaluate production and test data to support continuous improvement and data-driven decision making.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Production, and Engineering teams to resolve manufacturing challenges.
• Lead weekly coordination meetings with global teams and stakeholders.
• Track action items, manage issue resolution, and ensure timely closure of open tasks.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with company safety, environmental, health, quality, and export control requirements.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement across manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.

Experience

• Minimum 3 years' experience in a Manufacturing Engineer or similar role.
• Background in box-build manufacturing within a high-mix, low-to-medium volume production environment is highly preferred.
• Experience supporting production lines, new product introductions, product transfers, and manufacturing process improvements.

Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of manufacturing documentation, quality systems, PFMEAs, SOPs, ECNs, and engineering change management processes.
• Experience with production equipment setup, process validation, and product launches.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and ERP/MRP systems.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, DFM/DFT principles, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience working across cross-functional and global teams.
• Highly motivated team player with strong collaboration and problem-solving abilities.

Why Join Us?

• Play a key role in driving manufacturing excellence and process innovation.
• Lead impactful NPI and product transfer projects.
• Collaborate with global teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Work in a dynamic environment where continuous improvement and innovation are valued.

If you're passionate about manufacturing, process optimisation, and delivering operational excellence, we'd love to hear from you.

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Additional Information

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.