Manufacturing Engineering Manager (all genders)

About Us STARK is a new kind of defence technology company revolutionising the way autonomous systems are deployed across multiple domains. We design, develop, and manufacture high-performance unmanned systems that are software-defined, mass-scalable, and cost-effective - providing operators with a decisive edge in contested environments. We are focused on delivering deployable, high-performance systems - not future promises. In a time of rising threats, STARK is bolstering the technological edge of NATO Allies and their Partners to deter aggression and defend Europe, today. Your mission We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Manufacturing Engineering Manager to bridge the gap between innovation and execution. In this role, you will lead the transition of next-generation products from concept to high-volume production. You will work at the critical intersection of R&D and operations, guiding the industrialization process, developing cutting-edge production workflows, and collaborating with R&D engineers early in the design cycle to ensure products are optimized for automated manufacturing. If you thrive on turning complex designs into scalable, automated, and efficient production realities, we want you on our team. Responsibilities R&D Collaboration & Design for Automation • Early-Stage Partnership: Partner closely with R&D teams during the prototyping phase to provide manufacturing feasibility feedback. • Design for Excellence (DFX): Act as the champion for Design for Manufacturing (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA), specifically guiding R&D to define product designs that lend themselves seamlessly to automated assembly. • Standardization: Establish design guidelines that standardize components and processes, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost. • Vendor & Capital Equipment Management • Technical Specifications: Define technical requirements and author comprehensive Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and functional specifications for custom automation equipment, robotics, and tooling. • Vendor Selection & Evaluation: Scout, evaluate, and select world-class equipment vendors and automation system integrators based on capability, scalability, cost, and lead times. • Milestone & Budget Tracking: Act as the primary point of contact for external vendors, managing capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets and tracking project timelines to ensure machinery is delivered on schedule for product launches. • Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT): Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) at vendor facilities and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) upon factory installation to guarantee equipment meets all cycle time, yield, and safety standards. • SLA & Lifecycle Management: Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs), warranty terms, and preventative maintenance/spare-parts strategies with vendors to ensure long-term equipment reliability. Industrialization • Prototype to Scale: Oversee the build of pilot lines, identify scaling bottlenecks, and smoothly transition products from low-volume prototyping to mass production. • Risk Mitigation: Conduct Design/Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA/PFMEA) to identify and mitigate risks early in the product lifecycle. Process Development & Optimization • Workflow Design: Design, implement, and continuously improve production layouts, material flows, and line balances. • Automation Strategy: Identify opportunities for automation, robotics, and smart manufacturing (Industry 4.0) integration on the production floor. • Documentation & Compliance: Oversee the creation of detailed manufacturing documentation, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), work instructions, and routing sheets. Team Leadership & Management • Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow a high-performing team of manufacturing and process engineers. • KPI Management: Define and track team metrics, including cycle times, first-pass yield (FPY), overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), and capital expenditure (CapEx) budgets. Qualifications • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field (Master's or MBA is a plus). • Experience: 5+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering, with at least 2+ years in a leadership or managerial capacity. • NPI Expertise: Proven track record of successfully launching new products into production, specifically working side-by-side with R&D teams. • Automation Savvy: Deep understanding of automated assembly processes, robotics, PLC programming, or vision systems, and how product design choices impact automation feasibility. • Technical Arsenal: Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo), Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, and PFMEA execution. • Soft Skills: Exceptional cross-functional communication and negotiation skills—ability to speak the "language" of both abstract R&D and practical factory operations. For further information please reach out to talent@stark-defence.com.