The Manufacturing Design Engineer is responsible for ensuring Kraken products are designed, developed and maintained with efficient, robust and scalable manufacturing processes in mind.
Working within the Manufacturing Engineering team, you will serve as the critical link between Design Engineering and Production, driving Design for Manufacture (DfM), Design for Assembly (DfA), production readiness and continuous improvement throughout the product lifecycle.
You will work closely with Mechanical, Electrical and Systems Engineering teams to support products from prototype development through to full-scale production, ensuring designs can be manufactured safely, repeatably and cost-effectively while meeting quality, regulatory and business requirements.
This role will also support the development of production tooling, fixtures, manufacturing design improvements and industrialisation activities that enable Kraken products to be built efficiently at scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Support Design for Manufacture (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA) activities to optimise products for safe, efficient and scalable production.
- Own manufacturing design activities from prototype through to production readiness.
- Develop and maintain engineering drawings, CAD models and Bills of Materials (BOMs) in line with configuration control processes.
- Design and implement production tooling, jigs, fixtures and assembly aids to improve manufacturing efficiency and product quality.
- Collaborate with Design, Production, Quality and Supply Chain teams to resolve manufacturing challenges and drive continuous improvement.
- Support root cause investigations, DFMEA/PFMEA activities and the implementation of corrective actions.
- Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation, technical specifications and work instructions.
- Support engineering change management activities, ensuring changes are assessed for manufacturing impact and implemented successfully.
- Provide hands-on technical support during prototype, pilot and production builds.
- Drive improvements in quality, cost, delivery and safety across manufacturing operations.
- Ensure compliance with relevant standards, specifications and company processes.
About You
Essential Skills & Experience
- Degree, HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Marine Engineering, Product Design or a related discipline.
- Experience in a Design Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer or Product Development role.
- Strong understanding of Design for Manufacture (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA).
- Proficiency with 3D CAD software and engineering drawing production, ideally Siemens NX.
- Understanding of manufacturing processes, fabrication methods and assembly techniques.
- Experience creating and maintaining Bills of Materials (BOMs).
- Knowledge of engineering tolerancing, geometric dimensioning and manufacturing constraints.
- Practical, hands-on engineering approach with a genuine interest in manufacturing and production.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Desirable Skills & Experience
- Experience within the maritime, defence, aerospace, automotive or advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Knowledge of production tooling, assembly techniques and manufacturing processes.
- Understanding of Root Cause Analysis, Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and engineering change control processes.
- Experience using digital manufacturing tools, MES platforms or electronic work instructions.
- Knowledge of composite structures, marine systems or low-volume/high-complexity manufacturing environments.
Why Join Kraken?
- Work on innovative engineering and technology projects.
- Be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
- Play a key role in bringing products from concept through to production.
- Contribute to the growth and development of Kraken's manufacturing capability.
- Access opportunities for professional development and career progression.
- Join a business where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are at the heart of what we do.
What we provide
- 25 days holiday per year, plus paid bank holiday
- After two years’ consecutive service, one additional day’s annual leave up to a maximum of five additional days annual leave
- Holiday buy/sell, up to five days per calendar year
- Flexi working, core hours 10:00 to 15:00, subject to departmental requirements
- Private Medical Insurance with optional family cover
- Pension scheme with a 5% employer contribution, there is no cap on the employee contribution level
- Life assurance 3x salary
- Group Income Protection
- Health Care Cash Plan
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing mental health and wellbeing support
- Professional membership reimbursement
Important to know
Due to the nature of our work many of our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to Government security checks.
Kraken Works Limited is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities to all. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.
Apply Today
If you're passionate about designing products that can be manufactured efficiently, reliably and at scale, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of a team shaping the future of engineering and manufacturing at Kraken Technology.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Private medical insurance
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Have you been a resident of the UK for over 5 years?
- What are your salary expectations?
- What is your notice period?
- Do you have experience in a Design Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer or Product Development role with strong understanding of Design for Manufacture (DfM) and Design for Assembly (DfA)?
- Proficiency with 3D CAD software and engineering drawing production, ideally Siemens NX.
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (preferred)
Work Location: In person