Project / Process Engineer
Location: Droitwich
Salary: £30,000 – £40,000 DOE
Hours: Monday–Thursday 08:00–17:15, Friday 08:00–13:00
Start Date: ASAP
Notice Period: 3 months
The Role
We are recruiting for a Project / Process Engineer to join an established manufacturing business based in Droitwich.
This is an excellent opportunity for candidates at different stages of their engineering career, from a recent engineering graduate with practical manufacturing experience through to an experienced Project, Process or Manufacturing Engineer.
The successful candidate will support projects throughout the New Product Introduction (NPI) process, from initial design and tooling development through to trials, process validation, production launch and final customer approval.
You will work closely with customers, suppliers, toolmakers and internal manufacturing teams to develop robust and efficient manufacturing processes, tooling and assembly solutions.
Previous plastics or thermoforming experience is not essential. Candidates from a range of manufacturing and engineering backgrounds will be considered.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage and support projects throughout the full NPI lifecycle, from initial concept through to production launch.
- Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models and technical specifications.
- Review designs to ensure components can be manufactured efficiently and accurately.
- Support the design, development and introduction of production tooling, assembly jigs and fixtures.
- Coordinate with external toolmakers, suppliers and internal engineering teams.
- Review and approve tooling designs against product and manufacturing requirements.
- Plan and support tooling, prototype and production trials.
- Analyse trial results and implement improvements before full production release.
- Develop and optimise manufacturing processes to improve quality, efficiency and cost.
- Produce manufacturing documentation including work instructions, setup sheets and standard operating procedures.
- Support dimensional inspection, process validation and customer approval activities.
- Troubleshoot tooling, fixture and manufacturing process issues.
- Support production teams with engineering and process-related problems.
- Assist with the development and refinement of CNC/CAD-CAM programs where applicable.
- Identify and implement continuous improvement opportunities.
- Ensure projects are delivered within agreed quality, cost and timescale requirements.
About You
We are open to candidates at different stages of their engineering career.
Early Career – £30,000–£33,000
Suitable for someone who may have:
- A Degree, HNC or HND in Mechanical, Manufacturing or a related Engineering discipline.
- Around 1–2 years' experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Some exposure to CAD, manufacturing processes, tooling or project work.
- An interest in developing a career within Project / Process Engineering.
- A willingness to undertake further technical training and development.
Salary reviews can be linked to training and development progression.
Mid-Career – £34,000–£37,000
You are likely to have:
- Several years' experience within an engineering or manufacturing environment.
- Experience as a Project Engineer, Process Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Production Engineer or similar.
- Experience supporting projects through the NPI process.
- Knowledge of tooling, assembly jigs, fixtures or manufacturing aids.
- Experience interpreting engineering drawings and CAD models.
- The ability to manage engineering projects and solve manufacturing problems independently.
Experienced / Optimum Candidate – £38,000–£40,000
The strongest candidates are likely to offer:
- Significant Project, Process or Manufacturing Engineering experience.
- Strong experience taking products through NPI from concept through to production.
- Experience developing, specifying or managing tooling, jigs and fixtures.
- Strong CAD experience, ideally using SolidWorks.
- Experience with CAD/CAM programming or CNC manufacturing processes.
- Experience working directly with toolmakers and external engineering suppliers.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing process development and validation.
- The ability to troubleshoot tooling and production problems.
- Experience managing multiple engineering projects simultaneously.
Skills & Experience
Experience in the following areas would be particularly beneficial:
- New Product Introduction / NPI
- Project or Process Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Tooling development
- Assembly jigs and fixtures
- Engineering drawings
- CAD modelling
- SolidWorks
- CAD/CAM programming
- CNC machining or manufacturing processes
- Tool trials and process validation
- Dimensional inspection
- Root cause analysis
- Continuous improvement
- Working with suppliers and toolmakers
Previous experience within plastics or thermoforming is advantageous but is not required. Candidates with transferable experience from other manufacturing sectors are encouraged to apply.
Training & Development
The company is prepared to invest in training and development for the right candidate.
This means candidates who have strong core engineering and manufacturing experience but do not currently have every skill listed above will still be considered.
Where significant external training investment is provided, this may be subject to an appropriate training agreement.
Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
