Manufacturing / Production Engineer – Underwater Systems and Sonar

Contract / Consultant

Clearance Required: Must have or be eligible for SC / DV clearance

Role Overview:

We are seeking a highly capable Manufacturing / Production Engineer to support the establishment of a new production line at a key supplier. This role is critical in ensuring that manufacturing capability for underwater systems — including transducers and sonar equipment — is successfully transferred, commissioned, and quality assured.

The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience of setting up manufacturing operations, ideally within the underwater systems, transducers, or sonar technology domains, and will act as a bridge between engineering, quality assurance, and supplier operations teams.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the setup and qualification of a new manufacturing line at an external supplier site.
• Define and optimise production processes for underwater acoustic products (transducers, sonar arrays, related subsystems).
• Collaborate with design engineering teams to ensure manufacturability (DfM) and adherence to quality standards.
• Develop and approve production documentation, including build instructions, test procedures, tooling specifications, and quality plans.
• Oversee production trials and first article inspections (FAI) to validate process capability and product conformity.
• Drive process improvements and corrective actions where required to meet quality, cost, and schedule goals.
• Interface directly with suppliers, providing technical support and operational guidance.
• Implement production control and reporting systems (e.g., KPIs, yield, defect tracking) as required.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100, defence/marine quality standards).
• Support risk identification and mitigation activities during production transfer and ramp-up phases.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Strong background in manufacturing engineering, production engineering, or industrialisation.
• Experience setting up or transferring manufacturing lines, ideally within a regulated or defence environment.
• Familiarity with underwater systems manufacturing — such as transducers, sonar arrays, pressure vessels, composite structures, or sealed electronics.
• Working knowledge of acoustic transducer fabrication methods (e.g., piezoelectric element bonding, potting, assembly techniques).
• Proven ability to liaise between engineering teams, suppliers, and internal operations.
• Hands-on experience with quality tools such as FMEA, PPAP, Control Plans, and Root Cause Analysis (e.g., 8D).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for reporting and documentation.
• Able to travel to supplier locations as needed during project phases.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience with defence sector sonar and underwater acoustic systems.
• Knowledge of special manufacturing requirements for marine environments (e.g., watertight seals, pressure testing, corrosion protection).
• Experience working with low-volume, high-complexity, high-reliability production.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies.

Qualifications:

• Degree, HND, or equivalent experience in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Production Engineering (or a related field).
• Additional qualifications in Quality Management or Industrial Engineering are advantageous.
• Green Belt or higher Six Sigma certification (desirable but not essential).