Production Engineer

ESS Recruit’s client is a global high growth electronics manufacturing and engineering business. Over the last ten years the business has grown significantly and can proudly boast a world class international customer base with operations in the USA, UK and Asia. After a significant multi-million pound investment to drive new product development and substantial growth in people and operations. The business is now looking to recruit a Production Engineer.

Role

The Production Engineer will be responsible for improving and optimizing production processes manufacturing. This role involves working closely with the production team, quality assurance, and engineering departments to ensure efficient operations and adherence to quality standards. The Production Engineer will play a key role in identifying areas for process improvement, troubleshooting issues, and implementing solutions to enhance production efficiency, product quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Process Optimization: Analyse and evaluate current production processes and workflows, recommending and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product quality.
• Production Support: Provide technical support to the production team to address issues related to equipment, processes, or materials. Ensure timely resolution of production bottlenecks.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Work closely with the engineering and R&D teams to ensure the smooth transition of new products from development to mass production. Optimize processes for manufacturing new product designs.
• Equipment Calibration & Maintenance: Assist in the installation, calibration, and maintenance of production equipment to ensure optimal performance. Work with maintenance teams to minimize downtime and extend equipment lifespan.
• Process Documentation: Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for production processes. Ensure documentation is updated regularly to reflect process changes.
• Quality Control: Collaborate with quality assurance teams to ensure that all production processes meet the required quality standards. Implement and monitor quality control measures to reduce defects and improve yield.
• Continuous Improvement (CI): Identify and lead initiatives related to Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies to reduce waste, improve cycle times, and enhance production throughput.
• Troubleshooting: Analyse and resolve production-related issues, such as material defects, process malfunctions, or equipment breakdowns, to maintain production flow and minimize downtime.
• Training: Provide training to production staff on new processes, equipment, and quality control measures. Ensure all employees follow best practices and are familiar with updated procedures.
• Collaboration: Work with cross-functional teams, including engineering, quality, and supply chain, to align production efforts with business goals and customer requirements.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Monitor production metrics, such as yield rates, cycle times, and defect rates. Use data analysis to identify trends, track performance, and implement process improvements.

Skills and Experience

• HND level in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in a production engineering or process engineering role, preferably in semiconductor or electronics manufacturing.
• Experience with manufacturing processes, semiconductor testing, or related technologies is a plus.
• Strong knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or similar process improvement methodologies.
• Hands-on experience with manufacturing equipment and production troubleshooting.
• Ability to develop and implement standard operating procedures and process documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent understanding of production workflows, process optimization, and quality control principles.
• Familiarity with production management tools, ERP systems, and data analysis software.
• Strong project management skills to lead process improvement initiatives.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with cross-functional teams.
• Experience with semiconductor manufacturing, or precision engineering is a significant advantage.
• Knowledge of safety standards and regulations in a manufacturing environment.