Head of Production Engineering

Head of Production Engineering

Department: Production Engineering

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Bembridge

Description

• Employment type: Permanent
• Salary: £55,000 - £70,000
• Standard Hours: Flexible start / 40 hours per week
• Location: Bembridge, Isle of Wight

The Head of Production Engineering is responsible for leading production engineering and manufacturing engineering activities in support of Britten Norman's aircraft manufacturing and modification operations. The role ensures safe, compliant, efficient, and high quality manufacturing processes across aircraft assembly, structures, systems installation, and component manufacture. It combines hands on engineering leadership with team management to support production delivery, continuous improvement, and regulatory compliance within a low volume, high complexity aerospace environment.

Key Responsibilities Leadership & Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop Production Engineering teams
• Set engineering priorities aligned with production schedules, aircraft delivery milestones, and business objectives.
• Allocate engineering resources to support assembly lines, modification programmes, and NPI activity.
• Promote a culture of safety, compliance, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Production & Operations Support

• Provide day to day engineering support to aircraft assembly, systems installation, and modification activities.
• Resolve production issues impacting safety, quality, cost, or delivery, ensuring robust root cause analysis and corrective action.
• Support production planning by improving workflow, line balance, and capacity utilisation.
• Monitor and improve key metrics such as delivery performance, labour efficiency, and schedule adherence

Manufacturing & Production Engineering

• Develop, maintain, and optimise manufacturing processes, routings, tooling, and work instructions for aircraft and components.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), aircraft variants, design changes, and industrialisation activities.
• Ensure manufacturing documentation is compliant with Part 21, Part 145 (where applicable), and internal procedures.
• Drive standardisation and best practice across production and engineering functions.

Continuous Improvement & Cost Control

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives appropriate to low volume aerospace manufacturing (Lean, Kaizen, problem solving)
• Reduce rework, non conformances, and manufacturing waste while maintaining airworthiness and quality standards
• Identify opportunities to improve build efficiency, flow, and cost without compromising compliance or safety
• Support capital investment cases for tooling, fixtures, and equipment

Tooling, Equipment & Automation

• Oversee the specification, design, and introduction of jigs, fixtures, and manufacturing aids for aircraft production
• Work closely with Maintenance and Facilities to ensure equipment availability and safe operation
• Support selective automation and digital manufacturing solutions where they add value in a high mix environment

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure manufacturing processes meet Britten Norman quality standards and regulatory requirements
• Work closely with Quality and Compliance to support audits, investigations, and corrective actions
• Support root cause analysis for non conformances, concessions, and production escapes
• Promote a strong safety culture across all manufacturing and engineering activities

Cross Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, Production, and Planning teams
• Support supplier technical issues and manufacturing readiness where required
• Provide engineering input to programme reviews, delivery planning, and operational risk assessments

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Experience in Production Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering within an aerospace manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of aircraft manufacturing, assembly, structures, or systems installation
• Experience working in a regulated environment (EASA / CAA / Part 21 / Part 145)
• Proven ability to lead engineering teams and support live production
• Strong problem solving skills and attention to detail

Desirable

• Experience in low volume, high mix aerospace manufacturing
• Knowledge of airworthiness, configuration control, and change management
• Experience with Lean principles applied to aerospace environments
• Familiarity with digital work instructions, MRP/ERP systems, and manufacturing KPIs

Benefits

• 36 annual leave days (inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays)
• Contributory pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option
• Private healthcare scheme
• Flu vaccination
• Dental and optical cover
• Employee Assistance Program
• Support with learning and professional development (courses and licenses)
• Health screening and therapies
• Digital GP
• Referral bonus