Production Engineering Manager

Production Engineering Manager

South East

We are working on behalf of our client to hire a highly skilled and experienced Production Engineering Manager to lead their production engineering and facilities teams. The ideal candidate will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the production engineering department, ensuring the efficient, high-quality, and cost-effective production of electronic assemblies, while also overseeing the maintenance and functionality of the facility. The role involves optimizing production systems, troubleshooting technical issues, managing equipment and infrastructure, and collaborating across departments to meet organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of production engineers and facilities staff.
• Develop and implement training plans to enhance team skills and capabilities.
• Monitor team performance, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and accountability.
• Analyze, develop, and improve manufacturing processes for PCBs and assemblies to ensure efficiency, yield, and quality.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on process efficiency, automation, and cost reduction.
• Collaborate with production and quality teams to troubleshoot and resolve production issues.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and customer specifications.
• Lead engineering efforts for new product introduction, ensuring smooth integration of new products into production.
• Define tooling requirements and oversee prototype builds.
• Oversee the function and maintenance of the facility, ensuring it supports production needs and complies with safety regulations.
• Manage building infrastructure, utilities, HVAC, electrical systems, and factory layout to ensure smooth manufacturing operations.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety standards.
• Develop and execute preventive maintenance plans for production equipment and facility infrastructure.
• Collaborate with external contractors and service providers for repairs, upgrades, and maintenance as necessary.
• Oversee the maintenance, calibration, and upgrade of production equipment to ensure optimal performance.
• Identify and implement new technologies, equipment, and tools to improve production capacity and capability.
• Manage supplier relationships for tooling, equipment, software, and upgrades.
• Develop, maintain, and update process documentation, including work instructions, job packs, process flows, and engineering changes.
• Implement robust control processes to minimize defects, production downtime, and ensure workplace safety.
• Partner with quality, commercial, and production teams to address production bottlenecks and quality issues.
• Collaborate with customers and account managers to ensure designs are optimized for manufacturability (DFM).
• Support customer audits and regulatory inspections, providing technical expertise on production processes.
• Monitor production and facility metrics, including throughput, yield, downtime, and energy usage, and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Plan and manage capital projects.

Ideal Candidate:

• Strong understanding of PCBA processes, including Surface Mount Technology, Through-Hole Technology, Reflow Soldering, Selective Soldering, Automated Optical Inspection, Box Build, and Inspection.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies.
• Proficiency in CAD/CAM software, ERP/MRP systems, and process control systems.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as IPC-610, ISO 9001, 45001, 14001, and RoHS compliance.
• Knowledge of building systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing) and preventive maintenance for production equipment.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across departments and with clients.
• Proven leadership abilities, with a focus on coaching, mentoring, and developing talent.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to support facility emergencies and breakdowns.

Experience Required:

• 5+ years’ experience in production engineering within the electronics manufacturing, PCBA industry.
• 3+ years’ managerial experience in a manufacturing/engineering environment.
• Mechanical Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering qualification preferred.

This is a great opportunity for someone looking to take on a leadership role in a dynamic and fast-paced production environment.