Principal Manufacturing Engineer

An exciting new opportunity has become available within Manufacturing Engineering Henlow for a Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join the team. The role offers a salary of Circa £47,000, depending on experience. Working is dynamic (hybrid) 4‑5 days per week on site as required by workload classification. Candidates must be a British Citizen or a dual UK national with British citizenship and must clear an HMG Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check, administered by MBDA Personnel Security Team.

• Company bonus: up to £2,500
• Pension: maximum total (employer + employee) contribution of up to 14%
• Paid overtime opportunities
• Flexi‑Leave: up to 15 additional days
• Flexible working arrangements welcomed
• Enhanced parental leave: up to 26 weeks for maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, plus enhancements for paternity, neonatal leave and fertility treatments
• Excellent site facilities including subsidised meals and free car parking
• Healthcare Cash Plan with cash back on everyday healthcare expenses such as optical, dental and wellbeing

• Lead the day‑to‑day management of the Manufacturing Engineering team ensuring project and functional workloads are completed on time.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives and represent the team at forums.
• Manage Senior Manufacturing Engineers in their technical roles.
• Support the growth and rate increase of the manufacturing area.
• Lead continuous improvement and lean principle implementation across the organisation.
• Support manufacturing architecture plans and compile business cases for process and factory‑of‑the‑future concepts.
• Interface with the design authority during product prototype/development to ensure Optimised Design for Manufacture (DfM).
• Ensure all processes and equipment support a safe working environment and comply with company procedures and legal obligations.
• Develop, maintain and refine manufacturing methods, processes and equipment for a robust repeatable system.
• Maintain cross‑functional relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers.
• Perform and review Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis (PFMEA).
• Support training and development of Process Engineers.

• Formal technical engineering or craft apprenticeship to NVQ Level 3, or equivalent further education such as an HNC, or a degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum supervision required; must demonstrate pro‑active problem‑solving and a commitment to meet delivery milestones.
• Ability to interpret design drawings and produce manufacturing build instructions.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency with digital communication platforms to work and communicate effectively within the workplace.