Contract Manufacturing Engineering Manager – PCBA

Rate: up to £60 per hour, outside IR35

Contract length: 12 months initially

A leading electronics organisation in Horsham is seeking a Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead the electronics manufacturing engineering function responsible for PCBA production used in complex electronic equipment.

This role is critical in shaping the future of the company’s electronics manufacturing capability, including defining production processes, selecting equipment, and leading new product introductions into manufacturing.

The Role

You will lead the manufacturing engineering team responsible for PCB assembly processes, ensuring robust, scalable manufacturing capability for new and existing products.

You will also act as the technical authority for electronics assembly, advising the wider business on process capability, equipment investment, and manufacturing strategy.

Key responsibilities:

• Managing a team of Manufacturing Engineers and Technicians
• Leading introduction of new electronic products into production
• Defining and optimising PCBA manufacturing processes
• Providing technical leadership across SMT and through-hole assembly technologies
• Selecting and specifying electronics manufacturing equipment
• Supporting manufacturing improvements and process optimisation
• Working with ERP/MRP systems (preferably SAP) to define:
  • Bills of Materials (BOM)
  • Manufacturing routings
• Acting as the internal expert on PCBA manufacturing processes
• Supporting troubleshooting and root cause analysis of production issues

 Required Experience

• Strong background in PCBA manufacturing
• Experience with Surface Mount Technology (SMT) and Through-Hole assembly
• Leadership or management experience within manufacturing engineering
• Experience introducing new electronic products into production
• Knowledge of electronics assembly equipment and process selection
• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems (ideally SAP)

Ideal Candidate

You may currently be:

• A Manufacturing Engineering Manager in electronics manufacturing
• A Senior Manufacturing Engineer / Lead Engineer ready to step into management