Production Engineer – Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

Location: Croydon, Greater London
Salary: £36,000 – £42,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Job Type: Permanent, Full-Time
Hours: Monday to Friday, 39 hours per week

The Opportunity

Guided Talent is recruiting for an experienced and motivated Production Engineer to join our client, an established and growing specialist manufacturing business based in Croydon.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineer with a strong understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering who enjoys solving technical challenges, improving manufacturing processes and developing innovative engineering solutions.

Our client is looking for someone who can do more than simply maintain machinery. The successful candidate will play a key role in improving production efficiency, developing equipment, supporting new product introductions and ensuring consistently high manufacturing standards.

Working alongside an experienced engineering and production team, you will have the opportunity to make a genuine impact on day-to-day operations while developing your technical expertise and progressing your engineering career.

Key Responsibilities

As a Production Engineer, your responsibilities will include:

• Production Engineering & Continuous Improvement: Identify and implement improvements to manufacturing processes, machinery, tooling and equipment to enhance productivity, efficiency and product quality.

• Machine Maintenance & Fault Finding: Diagnose, troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical faults across a range of manufacturing equipment, minimising downtime.

• Equipment Design & Development: Design, modify and improve production equipment, fixtures, jigs and tooling to support manufacturing requirements.

• Preventative Maintenance: Support planned maintenance schedules, equipment servicing and calibration activities, ensuring accurate records are maintained.

• New Product Introduction (NPI): Assist with prototype testing, production trials and the introduction of new products and processes into manufacturing.

• Quality Engineering: Investigate manufacturing defects, product non-conformances and process issues, implementing effective corrective and preventative actions.

• Engineering Documentation: Create and update work instructions, technical documentation, inspection reports and engineering change records.

• Root Cause Analysis: Investigate recurring equipment or production problems and develop sustainable solutions to prevent future issues.

• Product Testing: Support engineering testing, inspection and validation activities to maintain high product quality standards.

• Technical Support: Work closely with production personnel and senior engineers to resolve technical challenges and support operational improvements.

• Training & Development: Provide technical guidance and support to production technicians on equipment operation, manufacturing processes and best practices.

Essential Skills & Experience

Our client is looking for a technically capable and proactive Production Engineer with:

• A strong understanding of mechanical and electrical engineering principles.

• Proven experience within a manufacturing, production engineering or similar industrial environment.

• Practical experience of machinery maintenance, fault finding and equipment repairs.

• Experience improving manufacturing equipment, production processes, tooling, fixtures or jigs.

• The ability to investigate technical problems and develop practical engineering solutions.

• Good computer skills and confidence working with engineering documentation and production systems.

• A methodical, analytical approach to problem-solving.

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple engineering priorities.

• A proactive attitude towards continuous improvement, quality and operational efficiency.

Desirable Skills & Qualifications

The following would be advantageous but are not essential:

• HND, degree or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.

• Experience using 3D CAD software for mechanical design.

• Knowledge of preventative maintenance planning and equipment reliability.

• Experience with engineering change management, non-conformance reporting and quality management systems.

• Understanding of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving methodologies.

• Experience interpreting manufacturing performance data or conducting statistical analysis.

• Experience supporting new product development and NPI activities.

Salary & Benefits

Our client offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including:

• £36,000 – £42,000 basic salary, depending on experience.

• Monthly bonus scheme offering up to 10% of monthly salary.

• 32 days annual leave, including bank and public holidays.

• Company pension scheme.

• Permanent, full-time employment.

• Monday to Friday working hours (39 hours per week).

• Opportunities for ongoing technical training and professional development.

• Genuine long-term career progression, with the potential to develop into a senior engineering position.

• The opportunity to work on varied engineering projects within a specialist manufacturing environment.

Why Apply?

This is more than a traditional maintenance or production support role.

Our client offers the opportunity to combine hands-on engineering, mechanical design, manufacturing improvement and technical problem-solving in a varied and rewarding position.

You will be encouraged to contribute ideas, take ownership of engineering challenges and play an important role in the continued development of manufacturing processes and equipment.

For an ambitious engineer looking to broaden their skills and progress towards a more senior engineering role, this position offers excellent long-term potential.

Apply Today

If you are a Production Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Mechanical Engineer or Maintenance Engineer with a strong technical background and a passion for improving manufacturing operations, Guided Talent would be keen to hear from you.

Apply today with your CV to find out more about this Production Engineer opportunity in Croydon. Contact Sam for more information