Manufacturing Engineering Manager

Location: Newton Aycliffe, Durham, United Kingdom

Job ID: R0136107

Date Posted: 2026-08-14

Company Name: Hitachi Rail UK Limited

Profession (Job Category): Engineering & Science

Job Schedule: Full time

Remote: No

Location: Newton Aycliffe, County Durham

Salary: Circa £86,000 DOE

Working arrangement: Site based role

About Us

A career at Hitachi Rail will help create a legacy. With operations in every corner of the world, our work goes to the cutting-edge of digital transformation and technology. From the multi-cultural strength of our global organisation to the sustainable and innovative ways we work to bring people together, theres something for everyone to get stuck into. And thats where you come in.

Job Description

Your New Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to join our Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility and play a key role in shaping the future of rail manufacturing. This is a rare opportunity to lead a highly skilled Manufacturing Engineering team within one of the UK s most advanced rolling stock production facilities. You ll be responsible for driving continuous improvement initiatives, industrialising new products, and ensuring manufacturing processes, equipment and methods support world class standards in safety, quality, cost and delivery performance. We re looking for an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager, but we d also welcome applications from ambitious Senior Manufacturing Engineers with extensive experience in complex manufacturing environments who are ready to take the next step in their career. This role would particularly suit individuals who have worked in large-scale capital equipment, heavy engineering, transportation, aerospace, defence, automotive, or other highly regulated manufacturing environments where complex products and multiple stakeholders are the norm.

Some Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the Manufacturing Engineering function within the plant, coaching and supporting a team of engineering professionals.
• Drive the industrialisation of new products, ensuring robust tooling, equipment and manufacturing methods are deployed successfully.
• Act as a key stakeholder in continuous improvement projects focused on enhancing safety, quality, cost and delivery performance.
• Lead the specification, acquisition and implementation of manufacturing equipment, machinery and plant infrastructure.
• Own and develop manufacturing layouts and process capability across the site.
• Partner with colleagues across the UK and internationally, including teams in Italy and Japan, to support new product introduction and manufacturing excellence initiatives.
• Ensure safe, compliant and efficient manufacturing processes through effective risk assessment and engineering governance.
• Recruit, mentor and develop future engineering talent while building a high performing team culture.

About You

We re looking for a strong people leader with a passion for manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement.

You ll ideally bring:

• A proven background within Manufacturing Engineering in a complex production environment.
• Experience leading projects involving new equipment, tooling, factory layouts, process development or new product introduction.
• Strong leadership, coaching and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functions and levels of an organisation.
• Experience working with complex mechanical assemblies, electrical assemblies, fabrication, welding, painting processes, or similar manufacturing technologies.
• IOSH Managing Safely qualification or equivalent.
• Degree level qualification in Engineering, or HNC/HND with significant relevant experience and continued professional development.
• Additional experience gained within large scale capital equipment manufacturing, rail, aerospace, defence, automotive, heavy engineering or other safety critical industries would be highly advantageous.

This role also offers occasional opportunities for international travel.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Potential opportunity for annual performance related bonus
• 25 days holiday
• Pension scheme with contributions up to 9%
• Private medical insurance
• Personal Accident insurance
• Group Income Protection
• Group Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Programme

We also offer additional perks for you to choose from within a flexible plan that will meet your specific needs and lifestyle. If you re an experienced Manufacturing Engineering leader, or a Senior Manufacturing Engineer ready to take the next step into management, we d love to hear from you. Join us and help shape the future of sustainable transport through world class manufacturing excellence.

We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Thank you for your interest in Hitachi Rail. If your application is of interest, we will be in contact. Please do not hesitate to discover more about us and our latest jobs at https://www.hitachirail.com/careers. At Hitachi Rail, there is a place for everyone. We welcome and value differences in background, age, gender, sexuality, family status, disability, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, and world view. It is our commitment to create an inclusive environment - we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Hitachi brings together the worlds greatest minds to help breathe life into new possibilities and drive innovation for a better future. That s why we look for individuals who share our pioneering spirit, have imaginative ideas and are fearless when it comes to tackling the worlds biggest challenges. Our people love technology - and they love making a difference. They have a passion for finding new solutions and working with brilliant colleagues. Every day they dedicate themselves to a huge range of exciting projects, contributing to the Hitachi vision around the globe. From engineering new sustainability solutions that conserve water and energy to creating the infrastructure for the smart cities of tomorrow, theres no challenge too great for our pioneers. And theres no shortage of opportunities for you to make a difference. Come and experience the dynamic, collaborative and creative environments where your ideas are welcome and new discoveries are waiting. To help you grow to your full potential, we strive to support our employees in their career aspirations and promote the freedom to explore new horizons.

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