Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description:

Your impact

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineer to join the Mechanical Assembly Process Engineering team in Southampton, supporting the manufacture of infra‑red detector assemblies.

This is an engaging, hands‑on role supporting manufacturing in a cutting‑edge environment. It is also an excellent opportunity to develop your career, as the work of the group covers a diverse range of processes, hands‑on and desk‑based activities, offering a wide variety of options for potential future areas of development, dependent on the individual and business requirements.

You will be a key part of the team of Manufacturing Engineers. The team as a whole will:

• Train manufacturing staff to perform processes correctly
• Monitor yields, defects & process times
• Investigate defects (DFRs) and yield issues relating to manufacturing processes
• Define and carry out re‑work processes where required
• Define and carry out routine TPM engineering tasks/process checks as required
• Suggest and implement process improvements in areas of responsibility
• Write process instructions
• Monitor the performance of equipment including SPC
• Run new capital equipment projects
• Root cause analysis
• Give input to new product introduction initiatives

Over time there will be opportunities for development within the group dependant on performance, skillset and areas of interest.

Example processes supported by the team are:

• Mechanical assembly (welding, brazing, pressure bonding, gluing etc.)
• Inspection (including precision measurement equipment e.g. OGP, CMM)
• Vacuum pumping and leak testing
• Machine shop
• Spray blackening
• Cooler integration
• Plating shop

We are looking for an enthusiastic, flexible and driven engineer with hands‑on manufacturing experience.

The right candidate will need to be a good communicator, capable of effectively training manufacturing assistants as well as giving progress updates on tasks/projects at an appropriate level of detail to update manufacturing management. Must be capable of working independently with minimal supervision, but must also not be afraid to actively seek help/support when required.

A sense of urgency is needed to support manufacturing in a timely fashion, but appropriate attention to detail, ensuring compliance to process instructions is also essential.

Existing experience and knowledge of one or more of the processes supported by the team would be an advantage, as would experience working in clean rooms and responsibility for health and safety of processes/equipment/chemicals. Products are delicate and high‑value so a good level of dexterity and some experience of manual handling of relevant components is desirable.

Experience and understanding of lean manufacturing techniques (e.g. continuous improvement, 5S etc.) is also advantageous.

This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.

This role is subject to pre‑employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV). For more information and guidance please visit:

At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company‑funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work‑life balance. Whether you're looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
• Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
• Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed…