Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Work closely with the Quality team to identify and eliminate manufacturing defects.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis using appropriate problem-solving techniques.
• Implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Apply Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement principles.
• Reduce waste, rework, assembly time and manufacturing variability.
• Support 5S and workplace organisation initiatives.
• Develop and monitor process KPIs.
• Ensure lessons learned from production are incorporated into future vehicle designs and manufacturing processes.

New Product Introduction

• Support the transition of new vehicle designs from Engineering into Production.
• Participate in design-for-manufacture and design-for-assembly reviews.
• Identify manufacturing risks at an early stage of product development.
• Work with Engineering to simplify vehicle assembly and reduce manufacturing cost.
• Develop manufacturing processes for prototype and pre-production vehicles.
• Support prototype builds, pilot builds and production validation.
• Ensure production documentation is completed before release to manufacturing.
• Support engineering change implementation and ensure changes are correctly incorporated into production.

Documentation & Systems

• Create and maintain:
  • Manufacturing work instructions
  • Standard operating procedures
  • Process flow diagrams
  • Assembly instructions
  • Tooling specifications
  • Inspection instructions
  • Manufacturing Bills of Materials
  • Process risk assessments
  • Production control plans
• Maintain accurate production engineering documentation.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation is controlled and aligned with engineering revisions.
• Support the development and implementation of digital manufacturing systems and ERP/MRP processes.

Health, Safety & Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing processes are designed and operated safely.
• Identify and mitigate manufacturing and assembly risks.
• Support risk assessments for machinery, tooling and production processes.
• Pay particular attention to the safe handling and installation of high-voltage EV systems and batteries.
• Ensure production processes comply with relevant legislation, company procedures and automotive safety requirements.
• Support investigations into manufacturing-related incidents and implement corrective actions.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Engineering qualification or equivalent practical engineering experience.
• Proven experience in a production engineering, manufacturing engineering or manufacturing support role.
• Experience within automotive, commercial vehicle, machinery, electrical equipment or another complex manufacturing environment.
• Strong practical understanding of mechanical and electrical assembly processes.
• Experience developing manufacturing processes and work instructions.
• Experience investigating production problems and implementing corrective actions.
• Good understanding of engineering drawings, specifications and Bills of Materials.
• Experience working with production teams and manufacturing technicians.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Good understanding of Health & Safety requirements within a manufacturing environment.

Desirable

• Experience within electric vehicle or battery manufacturing.
• Experience with high-voltage vehicle systems.
• Commercial vehicle or heavy vehicle manufacturing experience.
• Experience with chassis and vehicle assembly.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, 5S, Kaizen or similar continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, PFMEA and Control Plans.
• Experience with CAD systems.
• Experience with ERP/MRP systems.
• Experience developing production tooling and fixtures.
• Experience with prototype and low-volume vehicle manufacturing.
• HNC/HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Automotive, Electrical or related Engineering.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate will be:

• Hands-on – comfortable working directly on the production floor and with technicians.
• Problem-solving – able to quickly identify the root cause of manufacturing problems.
• Practical – able to turn engineering concepts into robust manufacturing processes.
• Analytical – capable of using data to identify process improvements.
• Quality-focused – understands the importance of building vehicles right first time.
• Safety-conscious – particularly regarding high-voltage EV systems and vehicle assembly.
• Organised – capable of managing multiple engineering and production priorities.
• Collaborative – able to work effectively across Engineering, Production, Quality and Supply Chain.
• Proactive – identifies opportunities for improvement rather than simply reacting to problems.
• Commercially aware – understands the relationship between manufacturing efficiency, quality and vehicle cost.
• Adaptable – comfortable working in a rapidly growing business where processes and products are continually evolving.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Director of Design
• Key internal interfaces:
  • Production
  • Engineering
  • Quality
  • Procurement
  • Supply Chain & Logistics
  • Service & After Sales
  • HSEQ
  • Senior Management
• External interfaces:
  • Component suppliers
  • Tooling and equipment suppliers
  • Engineering partners
  • Manufacturing service providers

Role Scope

The role will cover the complete manufacturing engineering process from prototype build through to series production, with particular emphasis on:

• Vehicle assembly
• Manufacturing process development
• Production readiness
• New product introduction
• Engineering change implementation
• Production problem solving
• Continuous improvement
• Tooling and equipment
• Manufacturing documentation
• Quality improvement
• Production cost reduction

What Electra Offers

• The opportunity to join an innovative UK electric commercial vehicle manufacturer.
• A key engineering role within a rapidly developing manufacturing business.
• Hands-on involvement in the development and manufacture of electric commercial vehicles.
• Exposure to advanced EV, battery and vehicle technologies.
• The opportunity to make a direct and measurable contribution to manufacturing performance.
• A dynamic and entrepreneurial working environment.
• Career development opportunities as the company grows.