Onsite in Swindon | Competitive Salary + Bonus + Excellent Benefits | 9am – 5pm (Mon to Fri)
Build a Manufacturing Capability from the Ground Up
Our client is a pioneering technology and engineering organisation operating within advanced aerospace, defence and unmanned systems. They are seeking an experienced manufacturing leader to establish and scale a brand-new propulsion manufacturing operation at their Swindon facility.
This is a rare opportunity to take complete ownership of a propulsion production cell, from initial concept and facility design through to full-rate manufacturing. You’ll define the layout, select equipment, recruit and develop the team, implement testing capability, and ultimately deliver the engines that power a fleet of advanced aircraft.
If you’ve successfully industrialised engines, power units or precision-engineered products and want the challenge of creating something from scratch, this role offers genuine autonomy and impact.
The Opportunity
As Propulsion Manager, you will be responsible for designing, building and operating a complete propulsion manufacturing capability. Working closely with engineering, supply chain, quality and international manufacturing teams, you’ll develop a world-class production environment capable of supporting ambitious growth plans.
This is a highly visible leadership position that combines strategic planning with hands-on execution on the shop floor.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturing Facility Development
- Design and implement the manufacturing footprint, production flow, workstations and material movement strategy.
- Specify, source and commission production equipment, tooling and fixtures.
- Develop phased implementation plans aligned with production ramp-up requirements.
- Establish dedicated engine and fuel test facilities, including safety systems, instrumentation and data acquisition.
- Introduce in-house additive manufacturing capability to support prototyping, fixturing and low-volume production requirements.
- Benchmark existing manufacturing sites and incorporate best practice into facility design.
- Own daily, weekly and monthly production performance against delivery targets.
- Drive production readiness and capacity planning across assembly, testing and integration activities.
- Identify and remove bottlenecks to support increasing production volumes.
- Implement structured performance management routines and KPI reporting.
Team Building & Development
- Recruit, develop and lead a high-performing manufacturing team.
- Define organisational structure, shift patterns and competency frameworks.
- Establish training and development programmes to support growth.
- Create a culture focused on safety, accountability and continuous improvement.
Quality & Testing
- Define engine and fuel system test procedures and acceptance criteria.
- Ensure robust quality controls and compliance with relevant management systems.
- Lead root cause investigations and corrective action activities.
- Drive improvements in first-pass yield, quality performance and manufacturing efficiency.
- Support make-versus-buy decisions and vertical integration strategies.
- Work with procurement teams to identify and manage key suppliers.
- Ensure outsourced components meet quality, cost and delivery requirements.
- Develop resilient supply chains to support production growth.
- Champion Lean manufacturing principles including 5S, standard work and visual management.
- Lead improvement projects targeting safety, quality, throughput and cost performance.
- Promote data-driven decision making throughout the operation.
Health, Safety & Compliance
- Maintain responsibility for safe operation of manufacturing and test environments.
- Ensure compliance with UK health and safety legislation and relevant industry standards.
- Manage fuel handling, fire safety and operational risk within the facility.
- Previous experience within engine, power unit or propulsion manufacturing environments.
- Experience in Aerospace, defence, motorsport, automotive powertrain or related industries.
- Proven track record of establishing or scaling a manufacturing line, cell or facility.
- Experience industrialising products into volume production alongside engineering teams.
- Strong leadership experience, including recruiting and developing manufacturing teams.
- Ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on operational leadership.
- Eligibility to obtain UK Security Clearance.
What’s on Offer
- Annual discretionary bonus.
- Pension contribution matching up to 10%.
- 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
- Private medical insurance, with optional family cover.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Career development and technical progression opportunities.
- Access to employee discounts and salary sacrifice schemes, including electric vehicle, cycle-to-work and technology programmes.
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