Manufacturing Engineering Manager - PCA

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to join the Edwards team based at Product Company Eastbourne.

Edwards has been engineering environments where innovation thrives for more than 100 years. Our legacy is built on a willingness to push the boundaries of science – that’s why we’re a global leader of vacuum and abatement. Being part of Atlas Copco Group means we have more than 55,000 employees around the world; this is your opportunity to work alongside passion, expertise, and with the latest technology to transform industries such as electronics, medical research, renewable energy and more. Together, we have the power to improve millions of lives and shape countless careers.

We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager who leads with clarity, empathy, and accountability—someone who inspires high performance, fosters a culture of continuous improvement, and builds trust across all levels of the team.

This role requires a proven leader who can energize teams, drive ownership, and cultivate a respectful, results-driven environment where people feel empowered to grow and succeed.

Mission/Purpose of the Job

To develop the most cost effective and innovative printed circuit assembly manufacturing strategy that will ensure that the Eastbourne Product Company is always at the forefront of technology.

To ensure new product is introduced to Operations and that it seamlessly meets the needs of the business and the customer regarding quality, on time delivery, safety and cost. Ensure that the Eastbourne facility retains world class status as a PCA manufacturing entity.

Main Responsibilities 

• Maintain thorough understanding of electronics industry best-practices for the manufacturing of printed circuit assemblies (PCA’s) and electrical & electronic assemblies.
• Ensure capital expenditure is planned for equipment replacement and new technology investments.
• Ensure that manufacturing OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) targets are set and met, including providing timely support to each of the manufacturing & test cells, as needed.
• In conjunction with the BPI Lead, ensure that VTPS, Vacuum Technique Production System, continues to be developed and adopted.
• Strengthen the Eastbourne PCA Manufacturing Engineering organisation demonstrating strong leadership to ensure effective recruitment and selection, objective setting, competency, and organisation development.
• Ensure that Cost-Centre budgets and headcount are appropriately managed, with agreed forecasts, and spends are monitored and reported against the targets.
• Assist the Operations Manager in the ongoing management and development of the Eastbourne site and meeting the site Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures (OGSM).
• In conjunction with the NPI teams ensure appropriate Manufacturing Engineering resource is deployed to meet the manufacturability standards set by PC Eastbourne ensuring uniformity across teams throughout.
• Ensure a standard approach to all NPI projects regarding routing timing, DFMEA, PFMEA and build standards (I.e. AOI, pick to light, engraving etc.).
• Ensure your team are actively participating in Manufacturing reviews (MR) and technical reviews (TR) and the PCP process to ensure a sitewide standard approach to new product introduction.
• Pro-actively manage the layout of the shop floor to ensure space is used effectively and considers new product.
• Ensure development needs in your team are identified and endorse facilitating them across the business.
• Ensure resource is deployed equally to enable Operations and Engineering KPIs to be met.

Creating High Performing Teams

• Create and ensure the delivery of robust people plans and activities across the teams.
• Responsible for seeking, reviewing and driving improvements using available people metrics.
• Grow and develop high performing teams, ensuring a strong talent pipeline and succession plans are in place.
• Create and support clear development pathways the team to ensure skills growth and retention within the business.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, learning and growth where everyone is empowered to share ideas, solve problems and improve knowledge.
• Create a learning culture that supports employee development through coaching, mentoring, identifying   training needs and creating effective development plans.
• Support the team to ensure that clear and SMART objectives are set in line with the OGSM and regular 1:1 meeting are held with continuous feedback being given to drive performance.
• Role model the effective management of absence, conduct and capability issues in a timely manner, ensuring that people policies and processes are adhered to.
• Ensuring effective communication and interaction across team and wider site / division.
• Holding team accountable for the delivery of business and people KPI’s

Knowledge, skills & experience

Required 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in electrical and/or Electronics Engineering or Manufacturing Engineering or a related engineering discipline or demonstrable experience
• Thorough knowledge and experience of implementing lean manufacturing.
• Significant experience in developing or supporting electronics manufacturing processes.
• Thorough understanding of surface-mount and through-hole assembly processes, methods and equipment.
• Thorough understanding of electrical and electronic components and their packaging.
• Significant Experience working in a technical and people management role.
• Strong ability to coach others.
• Robust understanding of PFMEA and DFMEA
• Must be a good communicator and have excellent fluency in spoken and written English.
• A thorough understanding of MRP systems- ideally SAP
• Competent in use of Microsoft office
• Strong leadership skills

Desired 

• CEng, Chartered Engineer
• Experience in MES Systems
• Lean Six Sigma belt accredited.

Scope of the job

• The role is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, UK.
• The Eastbourne Product Company potentially serves all five Vacuum Technique Divisions: High Vacuum, Industrial vacuum, Semicon, Semicon Service, Vacuum Technique Service.
• There may be some need to travel to UK, Europe or Asia locations

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Behind every innovative solution, there are people working together to transform the future. With careers sparked by initiative and lifelong learning, we unite curious minds, and you could be one of them.