Location: Wrexham - Office based
Working Hours: 0800-1630 Monday to Thursday, 0800-1330 Friday
Role Summary:
We are strengthening the Metallurgy Division's leadership with a Head of Application Engineering, reporting to the COO. This role focuses on program management and new product development, requiring a strategic leader with expertise in market trends, customer needs, and product design. The candidate will lead the application engineering team and collaborate with sales, business development, quality, and operations to develop products per customer specifications and timelines.
Key Responsibilities:
Feasibility Studies:
* Conduct a detailed evaluation of Requests for Quotations (RFQs) received from the sales team to determine the technical feasibility of manufacturing new products.
* Analyse customer designs, specifications, and tolerances to ensure they align with the company's manufacturing capabilities.
* Develop cost estimates, assess raw material availability, and identify potential risks before committing to the project.
* Collaborate with R&D, production, and procurement teams to design efficient and scalable process flows for new products.
* Provide technical inputs to the business development and sales team for competitive and accurate bidding.
New Product Development:
* Oversee the end-to-end sample development process, ensuring the first batch is delivered 'First Time Right' with minimal iterations.
* Establish a structured Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) framework to manage new product introductions.
* Supervise prototyping, testing, and validation to meet customer performance and quality expectations.
* Ensure proper execution of process control plans, failure mode analysis (FMEA), and risk assessments before full-scale production.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance product manufacturability and reduce production costs.
Cross-Functional Leadership:
* Act as the primary link between sales, business development, quality assurance, production, and engineering teams.
* Facilitate design for manufacturability (DFM) discussions to align product design with manufacturing constraints.
* Lead cross-functional team meetings to address technical challenges, production bottlenecks, and timeline risks.
* Ensure smooth handovers between engineering and operations teams for successful production ramp-up.
Documentation & Compliance:
* Develop and maintain all technical documentation, including design specifications, process flow charts, control plans, and test reports.
* Ensure compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, NADCAP, and other relevant aerospace/defence industry standards.
* Maintain a detailed record of sample development activities, approvals, and deviations to ensure traceability and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Customer Coordination:
* Act as the technical liaison between the customer and internal teams, addressing queries related to design feasibility and manufacturing processes.
* Engage with customers on technical deviations, modifications, and approvals, ensuring transparency and alignment on requirements.
* Provide real-time updates to customers on development timelines, production challenges, and corrective actions taken.
* Participate in customer audits and technical reviews, demonstrating process robustness and compliance with specifications.
Project Execution:
* Develop and monitor project timelines, resource allocation, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure timely delivery.
* Track quality, cost, and delivery (QCD) metrics, ensuring programs meet defined success criteria.
* Implement Lean and Six Sigma principles to improve process efficiency and reduce lead times.
* Drive corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) for any delays or non-conformities encountered.
* Identify potential risks in product design, materials selection, and manufacturing processes.
* Develop contingency plans for mitigating supply chain disruptions, process failures, and unforeseen technical challenges.
* Implement root cause analysis (RCA) methodologies to address failures and prevent recurrence.
* Ensure compliance with customer-specific risk management requirements and industry best practices.
Problem Resolution:
* Lead efforts to diagnose and troubleshoot technical and regulatory challenges in product development and manufacturing.
* Work closely with the quality and production teams to resolve non-conformities, process deviations, and customer complaints.
* Implement continuous improvement measures such as Design of Experiments (DOE) and Statistical Process Control (SPC) to enhance product quality.
* Ensure that corrective actions are well-documented and sustained across future developments.
* Lead and develop a high-performing application engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
* Provide training on new materials, processes, and manufacturing technologies to enhance team expertise.
* Encourage a collaborative problem-solving approach, ensuring that cross-functional teams work seamlessly.
* Drive performance reviews, succession planning, and career development initiatives for team members.
Person Specification:
* Experience: 15-20 years, including 8+ years in leadership roles.
Essential and Desired Qualifications and Experience:
* Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Discipline
* Master’s Degree (MEng, MSc, MBA in Engineering Management) – Desired - Beneficial for leadership and strategic decision-making roles.
* Certifications in APQP, Six Sigma, or Lean Manufacturing – Valuable for process improvement and quality management.
* Expertise in APQP tools & program management
* Strong background in customer drawing analysis
* Proven success in launching new aerospace products
* Leadership Qualities: Strong communication, problem-solving, and project management.
* Experience in aerospace, defence, automotive, or other highly regulated Tier 1 industries.
* Expertise in APQP, PPAP, DFMEA, PFMEA, and Six Sigma methodologies.
* Strong background in investment casting, precision machining, or metallurgy.
* Hands-on experience with product lifecycle management (PLM) and CAD software.
* Knowledge of NADCAP, AS9100, and other industry-specific quality standards.
* Experience in leading cross-functional teams across multiple locations.
* Track record of process optimization, cost reduction, and operational excellence.
* Ability to manage customer relationships, technical discussions, and approvals.
* Experience with Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement initiatives.
* Previous involvement in technology adoption, automation, or advanced materials development.
Package on offer:
Pension: 5% min personal contribution, Company contribution of 3%
Life Insurance: 2 x annual salary Death in Service
About Us:
We recognise that our core strength lies in our people and have established an engaging and innovative environment to support our valued employees with delivering our organisational vision and goals. We welcome applicants with a can-do attitude, who are proactive and have an eye for detail, to be part of our highly regarded dynamic team that works in partnership with our customers, shaping the future of aviation with advanced technologies. In return we will invest in your future and skills and will provide you, our successful candidate, options to develop further.
We are a company who pride ourselves on our good Health & Safety practices. We have a family feel within all areas of our business and would welcome the right person into our team.
Disclosure:
Tritech Group UK will not discriminate against any qualified applicants we receive and take into consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.
All applicants to be considered must have the right to work in the UK without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.
Confidentiality:
Tritech Group respects the privacy and confidentiality of personal information provided by candidates and shall not disclose to any external parties unless legislated.
Thank you for considering this exciting opportunity. This document is intended to provide the reader with information and is not a contractual document. Some of the material therefore may be subject to change.
ITAR Compliance Notice:
This position may involve working with or access to technologies, information, or hardware that is subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). As a result, we are required to limit applications to individuals who are eligible to access ITAR-controlled materials. This typically includes UK nationals, nationals of NATO countries, and lawful permanent residents. Applicants will be required to provide proof of their eligibility as part of the recruitment process.
Seniority level
* Executive
Employment type
* Full-time
Job function
* Information Technology, Engineering, and Manufacturing
* Aviation and Aerospace Component Manufacturing and Automation Machinery Manufacturing
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