Rodeo
ResourcesPartnersSign in

WIKA Group

Principal Engineer

Didcot
Posted 1 day ago
Sign up to applySee more jobs like this

How your CV stacks up

1Upload CV
2Analyse CV
3Improve CV

Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role

?%

Your activities

  • Lead the industrialisation of new tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing processes.
  • Define, validate, and optimise production processes to ensure repeatability, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Oversee process capability studies, PFMEAs, and control plans for new or modified processes.
  • Collaborate with Engineering and R&D teams to ensure manufacturability and smooth product introduction.
  • Manage tooling lifecycle: specification, procurement, commissioning, maintenance & calibration strategy & delivery, and end-of-life planning.
  • Analyse production performance data and Value Stream Mapping to identify bottlenecks, waste, and improvement opportunities.
  • Drive initiatives to improve throughput, reduce cycle time, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness.
  • Support cost-reduction programmes through process optimisation and waste elimination.
  • Lead LEAN transformation activities across the manufacturing area.
  • Facilitate Kaizen events, root-cause analysis sessions, and cross-functional problem-solving workshops.
  • Implement and sustain 5S practices, ensuring workplace organisation becomes part of daily culture.
  • Train and mentor teams in LEAN tools such as value stream mapping, SMED, visual management, and standard work.
  • Manage and develop the Manufacturing Engineering and Test Manufacturing Engineering teams.
  • Set clear priorities, allocate resources, and ensure alignment with operational goals.
  • Work closely with production, quality, supply chain, and Engineering and R&D teams to resolve issues and support daily operations.
  • Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
  • Ensure process documentation, work instructions, and configuration items are accurate and up to date.
  • Maintain compliance with the company’s quality management system and relevant industry standards.
  • Oversee ERP/MRP configuration related to manufacturing processes, routings, and BOM accuracy.
  • Support audits and drive corrective actions where required.

Reasons to use Rodeo

I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?

Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.

Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.

Start with a chat, not a search bar

Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.

P

Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme

PwC·London, UK
£35,000/yr

Why you're a good match

Strong

Your economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.

See breakdown
Save jobNot relevant
View details

It searches the market for you

Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.

Why you're a good match

You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.

See breakdown
Strong

Experience fit

Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.

See breakdown
Strong

Only hits

No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.

Your profile

Essential Experience:

  • Degree in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g., Manufacturing, Mechanical, Industrial, or similar).
  • Proven experience developing, industrialising, and optimising manufacturing processes, tooling, and fixtures.
  • Strong background in process validation, capability studies, PFMEA, and control plan creation.
  • Demonstrated success implementing LEAN methodologies, such as Kaizen, 5S and value stream mapping.
  • Track record of delivering measurable improvements in production efficiency, cycle time, yield etc.
  • Hands-on experience in a live production environment.
  • Experience leading structured problem-solving activities.
  • Competence in ERP/MRP systems, including configuration of routings, BOMs, and process data.
  • Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Get help with your application

Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.

Get help applying for this job

Desirable:

  • Experience working with D365 Finance and Operations (Microsoft ERP system).
  • Knowledge of quality systems such as ISO9001 and AS9100.
  • Prior leadership experience managing engineers or technicians, or significant project leadership demonstrating equivalent capability.
  • Experience of working with and processing optical fibres including splicing and joining.
  • Technical understanding and experience of manufacturing optical devices.

Benefits:

  • Work-life integration
  • Mobile working
  • Flexible working hours
  • Pension scheme
  • Good development opportunities
  • Employee discounts
  • Attractive remuneration system
  • Health initiatives

The WIKA Group is among the world leaders in measurement technology with its products and services. With excellent sensing solutions, we enable safe, efficient and sustainable processes. And this for more than 75 years. More than 11,000 employees are currently committed towards this end.

Together we meet the megatrends of demographic change, digitalisation and sustainability. This brings with it challenges, and many opportunities. Innovation and growth arise from new perspectives and ideas. What are yours? Join us on the way to a better future.

Apply now

Trusted by 25,000+ job seekers

“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”

Jessica, London

Get help applying for this job

Skills

Manufacturing Processes
Tooling
Fixtures
Process Validation
PFMEA
Control Plans
LEAN Methodologies
Kaizen
5S
Value Stream Mapping
Problem-Solving
ERP Systems
Communication
Collaboration
Optical Fibres
Optical Devices

Location

Didcot, England, United Kingdom

Sign up to applySee more jobs like this