Composite Manufacturing Engineer - Product Introduction

Composite Manufacturing Engineer - New Product Introduction

Join Dowty, a GE Aerospace company as a 12-month fixed‑term contract engineer in Brockworth, near Gloucester. You’ll support our New Product Introduction (NPI) team, contribute to the development of aerostructural composite processes, and help bring sustainable, electrified aviation to life.

This role is within the Manufacturing Engineering department, where you’ll work closely with Design, Production, and Quality teams to ensure design intent is translated into efficient, repeatable manufacturing processes. The position requires a hands‑on approach, data‑driven decision making, and a focus on improvement and automation.

• A hands‑on approach to working directly with the manufacturing and engineering teams to help resolve manufacturing engineering issues using data, rationale and logic.
• Influencing design engineering to ensure manufacturing is represented during the product development process and design for manufacture/assembly is a priority consideration for the duration of the programme.
• Support and conduct hands‑on trials and manufacturing of composite development parts to validate processes and technologies.
• Developing test routines to establish process parameters around new technologies and systems to guide manufacturing application and determine feasibility of designed solutions.
• Employ a variety of virtual manufacturing tools to simulate workflow, automation sequences and space requirements to inform capacity plans, resource requirements and line balancing.
• Develop robust, lean solutions for equipment layouts, process design and product flow to maximise ROI and reduce hours/costs per unit.
• Working to ensure that process capability, cycle time and equipment availability targets are achievable through application of automation/existing solutions as well as new technology introduction.
• Define equipment lists, spare requirements, training requirements (production, ME and maintenance), work instructions and substance/equipment safety documentation.
• Be a key part of an APQP rollout and an FMEA critical characteristic cascade into internal & supplier quality operating systems.
• Lead the installation/commissioning process to deliver a system through continuous improvement & root cause analysis that meets delivery targets and operations requirements across safety, quality, delivery & cost (SQDC).

• Bachelor’s degree or above in Engineering with considerable experience or equivalent knowledge and experience in Technical Project / Program Management.
• Experience of the New Product Introduction (NPI) process within manufacturing and elements of project planning.
• Essential - manufacturing background with previous experience in facilities development and engineering including robotics, automation & conveyor technologies. Demonstrated ability to optimise existing processes for throughput, quality and availability at both the design and commissioning phases.
• Knowledge of problem‑solving methodologies (Lean, Six Sigma, 8D, PPS, RedX) and APQP requirements.
• Experience defining FMEAs cascading of critical characteristics into a control plan and subsequent development of a manufacturing quality operating system.
• Experience working with subcontracted suppliers and vendors.
• Knowledge of health & safety (H&S) and construction design & management (CDM) regulations and means of compliance.
• Experience with high volume composite (CFRP/RTM) manufacturing processes.

• Experience with 3D Catia, 2D AutoCAD and/or another CAD package.
• Experience in working within a highly regulated industry (preferably Aviation but not essential).
• Knowledge of 3D printing/rapid prototyping tools, CAD packages and part production.
• Experience incorporating condition‑based monitoring & real‑time data acquisition & synthesis into a ‘factory of the future’ shop floor environment.
• Broad experience with virtual manufacturing and tooling/process flow simulation software solutions.
• Able to define and discern GD&T product tolerancing requirements.

GE supports flexible arrangements to promote a healthy work‑life balance.

Benefits include:

• Non‑contributory Pension
• Life Assurance
• Group income protection
• Private medical cover
• Holiday Hourly equivalent of 26 days, with flexible option to buy or sell

Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance is required and must be maintained. Candidates who cannot obtain BPSS clearance will not be eligible for the role.

Applications from candidates requiring UK work sponsorship will be considered. Positions will be offered to the most qualified candidate who has the right to work in the UK.

Relocation assistance is provided.

Entry level

Full‑time

Engineering and Information Technology

Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing