Details:
- Salary: £40,000 - 50,000 - Annum
- Job Type: Permanent
- Job Status: Full-Time
- Salary Per: Annum
- Location: Pontypool
- Date: 14 hours ago
Description:
Production Engineer
Pontypool | Permanent, full-time | £40k - £50k D.O.E
About the Role
Our client, a specialist in the automotive/vehicle conversion sector, is looking for a Production Engineer to join their Operations team, reporting to the Operations Manager. This is a hands-on role responsible for improving production line performance across vehicle conversion operations — designing and optimising line layouts, applying work study techniques, and leading automation and continuous improvement projects to boost productivity, quality and cost performance in line with OEM programme requirements.
Key Responsibilities
Review and optimise line layouts for better flow, balance and space utilisation
Conduct time and motion studies to establish standard times
Maintain and update SOPs and method sheets
Identify and implement automation/process improvements to reduce manual handling and remove bottlenecks
Support capacity planning with accurate time data and workload analysis
Collaborate with Production, Engineering and Quality teams on process changes
Specify, justify and project-manage new tooling, jigs and equipment
Investigate process/equipment/quality issues using root cause analysis (RCA)
Support new programme launches and NPI activities
Apply lean/CI principles and tools to drive sustained improvement
Produce reports and technical documentation to support OEM programme requirements
Essential Skills & Experience
Degree or HND/HNC in Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management or similar (or equivalent experience)
Proven experience in production engineering, CI or industrial engineering within automotive, vehicle conversion or manufacturing
Working knowledge of work study/time measurement techniques (MOST, MTM or equivalent)
Demonstrable CI experience with lean tools (5S, VSM, Kaizen)
Strong analytical and numerical skills
Knowledge of line layout design, efficiency improvement and automation principles
Experience specifying/sourcing/commissioning production tooling, jigs or equipment
Confident in structured problem-solving/RCA (8D, 5-Why, fishbone)
Strong Excel skills; work study or ERP software experience advantageous
Confident communicator across all levels, from operatives to senior management
Desirable
Six Sigma Black Belt (or working towards)
Experience in vehicle conversion or low-volume automotive production
Familiarity with OEM production systems (e.g. Ford or Stellantis supply chain)
CAD skills for line layout/tooling design
Line balancing and takt time analysis experience
Professional body membership (IMechE, IET or similar)
Experience supporting NPI or programme launch activities