Design for Manufacture Engineer

Fed up designing stuff that looks perfect on screen but falls apart on the shop floor?

Tired of lobbing designs over the fence to manufacturing and hoping for the best? If you actually care how things get built — and want to be part of making it better — this one’s for you.

Why this job is different

You won’t just be “supporting production” — you’ll be leading improvements, shaping how designs are taken into build, and making sure what gets made is exactly what was intended. This is a defence-focused role, meaning you’ll work on projects where precision matters, waste is expensive, and quality isn’t optional.

There’s proper variety here too — it’s not one product line, not one process, and definitely not a slow-moving, red-tape-ridden mess. You’ll have influence, autonomy, and the backing to make changes that stick.

What they’re up to

This site sits inside a bigger global group, but don’t expect layers of corporate nonsense. They operate more like a self-contained engineering firm — agile, direct, and close to the product. They're known for building high-spec, bespoke systems for defence applications, and you’ll be plugged straight into that team.

It’s a business with the engineering pedigree to back you up — and the need for people who know what “right first time” actually means.

What’s in it for you

Hands-on influence — drive process changes, not just suggest them

Hybrid setup — a couple of days a week in Colchester, the rest is yours

25 days holiday, Christmas shutdown, and early Friday finishes

Pension, life assurance, sick pay, and mental health support

Learning and development budget, with real progression routes

Free parking, free coffee, and a team that cares

Who would thrive here

You’ve worked in a manufacturing environment — ideally defence, aerospace, or another regulated space. You understand how things are made, where things go wrong, and how to design or tweak processes to make them better.

You’re comfortable on the factory floor, in design reviews, and everywhere in between. You get lean, love problem-solving, and want to make a visible impact. You’re hands-on, curious, and not scared of pushing back when something’s not right.

And yes — you’ll need to have BPSS clearance, or at least be willing to get it sorted.

Sound like your kind of place?

Drop your CV — or just reach out for a no-BS chat. If it clicks, we’ll take it from there