Principal Process Engineer

Principal Industrialisation / Process Engineer

📍 Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex (Onsite)

We are working with a high-performing engineering organisation delivering cutting-edge products across multiple advanced sectors. They are now looking to appoint a Principal Industrialisation / Process Engineer to lead New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes and drive manufacturing excellence.

This is a hands-on, leadership-focused role within a dynamic environment, supporting the industrialisation of complex, low-volume products for premium customers.

🚀 The Role

You will take ownership of industrialisation activities across NPI projects, ensuring products are effectively transitioned from development into manufacturing.

Key responsibilities include:

Leading industrialisation and manufacturing project activities across multiple programmes
Developing and implementing manufacturing documentation (DFM/DFA, control plans, PFMEA, work instructions, etc.)
Designing production processes, facility layouts, and material flows
Specifying, procuring, and validating tooling and manufacturing equipment
Supporting prototype builds and early-stage process validation
Driving continuous improvement across cost, quality, and delivery metrics
Managing supplier quality and ensuring adherence to APQP/PPAP standards
Reporting project and launch readiness status internally and to customers
Supporting business growth through technical input and proposal development

🛠️ Experience Required

Proven experience in industrialisation / manufacturing project leadership
Background in automotive, aerospace, marine, or adjacent high-performance engineering sectors
Strong knowledge of assembly processes, quality tools (DFMEA, PFMEA, control plans) and production readiness
Experience driving NPI / launch programmes
Hands-on understanding of lean manufacturing principles
Familiarity with supplier quality, APQP/PPAP, and industry standards
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing methods
Experience with tooling, fixtures, or layout design (CAD preferred)

⭐ Desirable

Degree-qualified in Engineering (or similar)
Chartered Engineer status
Six Sigma Green/Black Belt
Experience with PLC, MES, or vision systems
Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP)
Project or commercial management experience

🌍 Why Apply?

Work on innovative, niche engineering projects across diverse sectors
Be part of a collaborative, forward-thinking NPI team
Play a key role in bringing advanced products from concept through to production
Opportunity to influence manufacturing strategy and process capability