Development Engineer

Development Manufacturing Engineer
Location: Exeter - 1 day WFH offered after probation-
Employment: Permanent, full time
Salary: Up to -40k-

Overview
An established manufacturing business is seeking a Development Manufacturing Engineer to improve the manufacturability, repeatability and cost-effectiveness of new product designs. Working within the R&D department, you will provide manufacturing and assembly expertise throughout product development, from early design iterations and prototyping through to pre-production builds. You will also lead improvement projects focused on cost reduction, manufacturing efficiency and product quality, working closely with design engineering, production engineering and other internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Advise design engineers on design for manufacture and assembly, ensuring products are practical, repeatable and cost-effective to produce.

• Review component geometry, tolerances, fastening methods, material selection and part standardisation to improve manufacturability.

• Identify manufacturing, assembly, tooling and material challenges during early product development.

• Assess component and assembly tolerances, access requirements and other design considerations that may affect production.

• Lead and coordinate prototype builds, gathering feedback and communicating findings to relevant project stakeholders.

• Support design reviews, challenging designs where necessary and recommending practical improvements.

• Lead R&D improvement projects, managing activities, stakeholder involvement, deadlines and project progress.

• Lead and support Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) reviews, identifying manufacturing risks and ensuring appropriate actions are implemented.

• Provide manufacturing guidance throughout product development to inform design decisions.

• Ensure prototypes are assessed and signed off before progressing to pre-production builds.

• Capture lessons learned from previous development projects and apply them to future designs and product iterations.

• Support production engineering initiatives focused on cost reduction, process optimisation and manufacturing efficiency.

• Collaborate with design engineering, production, quality, purchasing and other stakeholders to ensure successful product implementation.

• Ensure designs comply with relevant engineering standards, legislation and company procedures.

Requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.

• Strong understanding of engineering design principles and experience advising on design for manufacture.

• Ability to interpret and produce engineering drawings and technical specifications.

• Strong understanding of sheet metal manufacturing, assembly processes, materials and associated tolerances.

• Experience working within a manufacturing environment.

• Ability to identify and assess manufacturing risks during early-stage design and product development.

• Proven experience using 3D CAD software and producing 2D technical drawings.

• Strong project management, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, take initiative and follow tasks through to completion.

• Excellent communication, organisational and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and influence design decisions constructively.

Desirable: Formal training or experience in FMEA, design verification and validation; familiarity with domestic heating products; experience using sheet metal folding simulation software; Solid Edge or similar CAD software experience; familiarity with PDM/PLM and ERP systems; knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methodologies.