Senior Manufacturing Engineer - Composites Manufacture

Are you ready to revolutionise the world with TEKEVER?

At TEKEVER, we lead innovation in Europe as the European leader in unmanned technology, where cutting-edge advancements meet unparalleled innovation.

Digital | Defence | Security | Space

We operate across four strategic areas, combining artificial intelligence, systems engineering, data science, and aerospace technology to tackle global challenges — from protecting people and critical infrastructure to exploring space.

We offer a unique surveillance-as-a-service solution that delivers real-time intelligence, enhancing maritime safety and saving lives. Our products and services support strategic and operational decisions in the most demanding environments — whether at sea, on land, in space, or in cyberspace.

Become part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary, and mission-driven team that is transforming maritime surveillance and redefining global safety standards.

At TEKEVER, our mission is to provide limitless support through mission-oriented game-changers, delivering the right information at the right time to empower critical decision-making.

If you're passionate about technology and eager to shape the future — TEKEVER is the place for you.

The Mission:

If you’re a composite manufacturing engineer who wants to move beyond maintaining established processes and help build, scale and improve a new aerospace manufacturing capability then this role is for you.

You will own and develop composite manufacturing processes across the UK production operation, with particular focus on hand lay-up, pre-preg processing, trimming, finishing and bonded composite structures.

Initially, you will help transfer and establish existing composite manufacturing capability from our internal operations. As production scales, you will take a leading role in improving process capability, reducing variation and scrap, increasing throughput and reducing reliance on individual operator experience.

You will be a senior technical contributor within the Manufacturing Engineering team. You will work closely with Operations, Design, Quality sand other engineering teams to influence manufacturing decisions, resolve technical issues and ensure products are designed and built for repeatable production.

Core Responsibilities

• Develop, document and continuously improve composite manufacturing processes from material preparation through to finished components.

• Support hand lay-up and pre-preg manufacturing, including material handling, lay-up, consolidation and curing processes.

• Develop robust processes for trimming, finishing, drilling, bonding and composite assembly.

• Work directly with operators and technicians to understand process variation, solve manufacturing problems and improve repeatability.

• Transfer proven composite manufacturing processes into the UK operation and establish robust, production-ready methods.

• Develop and improve tooling, moulds, jigs and fixtures used in composite manufacture.

• Provide manufacturing input into product and tooling design, driving Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA)

• Develop clear work instructions, standard work and process documentation that captures critical process knowledge.

• Lead root-cause investigations into defects, non-conformances, scrap and rework.

• Identify opportuntities to improve quality, cycle time, yield, ergonomics and cost.

• Support production ramp-up and capacity planning as aircraft demand increases

• Work closely with Quality to establish appropriate process controls and ensure compliance with applicable aerospace and customer requirements.

• Support engineering changes and ensure manufacturing processes remain aligned with current product configuration.

• Share technical knowledge and help develop the capability of operators, technicians and the wider Manufacturing Engineering team.

Essential

• Significant experience in composite manufacturing within a production environment.

• Strong practical knowledge of hand lay-up and pre-preg composite processes.

• Hands-on experience with composite trimming, trimming, drilling and/or bonding.

• Experience in developing, improving or industrialising composite manufacturing processes.

• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing defects, process variation and root-cause investigation.

• Experience working directly with operators and technicians to improve manufacturing processes.

• Experience with composite tooling, moulds, jigs and fixtures.

• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation.

• Experience working within a controlled quality environment such as AS9100, ISO 9001 or equivalent.

• Strong problem-solving and continuous improvement capability.

• Able to communicate effectively across Manufacturing, Design, Quality and Production.

Desirable

• Aerospace, UAS, defence or motorsport experience.

• Experience manufacturing lightweight structural composite components.

• Experience with composite mould/tool manufacture and development.

• Experience supporting NPI, technology transfer or production ramp-up.

• Knowledge of composite inspection and non-destructive testing methods.
  

What we have to offer you:

At TEKEVER, we offer a comprehensive package designed to reward, support, and develop our people. This includes a highly competitive salary with a discretionary annual bonus and a company pension contribution match of up to 10%. To support your wellbeing, we provide 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, Private Medical Insurance (with optional family cover), Private Dental care, and an Employee Assistance Programme.

We are deeply committed to investing in future talent; our scale allows us to provide clear career development opportunities and dedicated initiatives to boost your skill sets, ensuring you remain future-ready for the evolving workplace. Furthermore, our team enjoys a flexible hybrid working model, typically three days a week at our core UK sites like Bristol, and access to a bespoke rewards platform featuring a variety of high street discounts and salary sacrifice schemes, including Electric Car, Cycle to Work, and Technology options.

Do you want to know more about us ?

Visit our LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/company/tekever/