ROLE: Production EngineerLOCATION: StevenageSALARY: £40,000 - £45,000 per annumPosition OverviewWe are seeking a highly skilled and detail-oriented Production Engineer to join our electronics manufacturing team. In this role, you will be responsible for optimizing production processes, ensuring high product quality, and driving continuous improvement in our manufacturing operations. You will collaborate closely with design, quality, and operations teams to ensure our production lines meet both efficiency and compliance standards in a fast-paced, high-tech environment.Key Responsibilities

Process Optimization & Troubleshooting
- Develop, implement, and refine manufacturing processes for PCB assembly, SMT (Surface-Mount Technology), through-hole assembly, and final product integration.
- Monitor and analyze production performance metrics to identify bottlenecks, reduce defects, and improve throughput.
- Lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for process and quality issues.

Equipment & Tooling
- Specify, procure, and qualify production equipment, jigs, and fixtures for electronics assembly.
- Maintain and calibrate production equipment to ensure consistent performance and minimal downtime.

Quality Assurance & Compliance
- Ensure production processes comply with IPC standards, ISO 9001, and relevant industry regulations.
- Work with quality teams to develop and maintain process documentation, control plans, and work instructions.

Continuous Improvement
- Drive lean manufacturing and Six Sigma initiatives to improve yield, reduce waste, and lower production costs.
- Support new product introduction (NPI) by working with R&D and design engineers to ensure manufacturability (DFM) and smooth transition to full-scale production.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with supply chain, procurement, and logistics teams to ensure component availability and minimize lead times.
- Provide technical support and training to production staff on best practices and equipment operation.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
3+ years of experience in production or manufacturing engineering, preferably in electronics or PCB assembly.
Strong knowledge of SMT, wave soldering, reflow ovens, and electronics assembly processes.
Proficient in CAD tools (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and manufacturing process documentation.
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Familiarity with IPC standards, ESD safety protocols, and ISO 9001 requirements.
Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and project management skills.
Strong communication and team collaboration abilities.