Manufacturing Validation Engineer

Job Title: Manufacturing Validation Engineer
Salary: Circa 38,000 (Dependent on Experience)
Location: Bolton or Hertfordshire (Relocation support may be available)
Working Hours: Hybrid working (2 days per week on-site due to workload classification)

Company Benefits:

• Bonus Scheme: Up to 2,500 (based on company performance, annual variation)
• Pension Scheme: Employer and employee contributions up to 14%
• Overtime: Opportunities for paid overtime
• Flexi Leave: Up to 15 additional days of leave
• Flexible Working: We are open to flexible working arrangements

We are looking for a proactive and experienced Industrial Validation Engineer to join our Procurement & Supply Chain team. In this role, you will play a crucial part in ensuring our suppliers meet the highest standards for quality, cost, and delivery. You will be responsible for supporting suppliers, managing a portfolio across multiple projects, and contributing to key validation activities in preparation for series production.

• Supplier Capability Assessment & Validation: Assess and validate suppliers' ability to meet company requirements and drive continuous improvement.
• Manufacturing System Support: Collaborate with suppliers to help develop robust manufacturing systems and control plans that ensure on-time, on-quality, and on-cost production.
• Industrial Validation Activities: Undertake key activities such as Process FMEAs, Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) assessments, and Production Readiness Reviews for new product introductions (NPI).
• Supplier Portfolio Management: Handle a portfolio of suppliers on a day-to-day basis, ensuring smooth project delivery.
• Risk Identification & Mitigation: Proactively identify manufacturing and supply chain risks, and develop action plans to address and mitigate these risks.
• Manufacturing Capability Transfer: Support the transfer of manufacturing capability from in-house production to suppliers.
• Reporting & Communication: Track and report validation progress to senior engineers, management, and other stakeholders.

• Manufacturing Engineering Experience: Strong background in manufacturing processes, techniques, and industrial validation.
• Experience in Aerospace or Defence: Previous experience in manufacturing and NPI within the Aerospace or Defence sectors is highly desirable.
• Expertise in Industrial Validation Tools: Proficient in tools such as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Process FMEAs, Measurement System Analysis, Process Mapping, MRL assessments, and Production Readiness Reviews.
• Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement: Practical knowledge of problem-solving and improvement toolsets.
• Analytical & Reporting Skills: Strong analytical abilities with the capacity to run reports in Excel, use SAP QM, and document management tools.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills for working closely with Design, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Quality teams.
• Team-Oriented & Willingness to Travel: Ability to work effectively as part of a team and travel as required.