Production Lead / Manager - strain gauging

  • ChilliFrog Ltd
  • Havant, Hampshire
  • Jan 09, 2026
Full time Engineering

Job Description

JOB OVERVIEW: Production Manager / Lead Production Engineer (strain gauging experience critical) sought by exciting market leading electronics & analytics systems business, focused on designing, building, installing and operating measurement systems for the marine sector.

Contract type: Permanent

Salary : Negotiable but as a guide £45K-£50K (depending on competency) basic plus excellent staff benefits package

Location Havant, Hampshire area

Start date - asap

Working conditions: Normal office and light workshop environment


THE ROLE & OPPORTUNITY
As a result of expansion my client has an exciting new vacancy for a Production Manager for their R&D function who MUST have strong experience with strain gauging;

Reporting directly to the Head of Operations, duties will include:

  • Run and oversee the day-to-day operation of our load cell production facility
  • Manage the team building, calibrating, and testing load sensors
  • Own production schedules, output targets, and quality standards
  • Work with operations to optimise parts forecast

CANDIDATE PROFILE:

The ideal applicant will have;

  • Firm knowledge of strain gauging & tenure within the industry
    • Analog electronics
    • Material impacts on strain gauge/adhesive choice
    • Surface preparations
    • Strain gauge suppliers
  • Strong background in mechanical and electronic assembly, ideally with sensor style products
  • Experience in leading a production team or be ready to step-up to lead a team hands-on manager, not just desk-based
    • 2-3 people in the team
  • Has worked with calibration procedures and is comfortable with test equipment
  • Can interpret engineering drawings
  • Ideally from a low-to-medium volume, high-precision production environment
    • Understands capacity management
  • Comfortable with small batch / precision manufacturing, not just mass production
  • Experience with digital twin-like systems, production data logging and quality control
  • Experience with ISO9001
  • Has worked with and applied of lean, six-sigma, kaizen methodologies

Character;

  • Calm, practical, and organised
  • Leads by example gets hands dirty when needed
    • Can train up onboardings
  • Can balance speed vs. care knows when to slow down and when to push
  • Wants to take ownership of a growing facility and help shape it long-term

WHAT'S ON OFFER;

• A highly competitive financial rewards package including benefits package

  • The chance to join a highly established proven market leader who continually invest in their solutions to stay ahead of the competition

• A comprehensive learning and development program and genuine career prospects
• An excellent hard working but fun close family oriented collaborative working environment

If you are a good match then please send a CV immediately to learn more about this excellent rare and diverse permanent career opportunity!

The services advertised by ChilliFrog Ltd are those of an Employment Agency.