Production Engineer

The Role We are seeking a hands-on Production Engineer to play a central role in establishing and managing our pilot manufacturing capability. This is a broad, high-impact role in a fast-growing startup. You will work across equipment, materials, and processes, and will need to be comfortable adapting as priorities evolve.

You will be directly involved in scaling a novel production process from laboratory to commercial readiness. Key Responsibilities Managing the acquisition, commissioning, integration and maintenance of pilot-scale production equipment (e.g. hydraulic presses, powder processing systems) Support scale-up from lab to pilot and early commercial production Optimise processes using structured approaches (e.g. DoE) Improve process efficiency, consistency, and throughput Support automation and integration of production systems (conveyors, robotics, material handling) Troubleshoot equipment and process issues with a hands-on approach Contribute broadly to technical and engineering activities across the company Requirements 3+ years of relevant industry experience in manufacturing, process engineering, or materials production Experience working with industrial or pilot-scale equipment Strong practical problem-solving skills and a hands-on mindset Comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment with changing priorities Willingness to take on a broad range of responsibilities beyond a narrowly defined role Organised and methodical in approach to work and documentation Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to Stoke-on-Trent Desirable Experience Powder processing, ceramics, or related material systems Design of Experiments (DoE) or statistical process optimisation Scale-up experience from lab to pilot production Automation or production system integration Additional language skills (particularly Italian or Portuguese) for working with international partners and suppliers What We Offer £45,000 – £60,000 salary (depending on experience) Equity through our options scheme Direct involvement in scaling a new low-carbon materials technology at a fast-paced startup Opportunity to attend and present at industry conferences and events Clear progression opportunities as the company grows What Success Looks Like (6–12 months) Pre-pilot equipment running reliably at our Manchester facility Core process parameters defined and documented Measurable improvements in consistency and throughput Pilot plant planned, with equipment identified and procured Clear pathway toward scaled production beyond pilot scale established Additional Information Fully onsite role (Manchester base) Travel required to Stoke-on-Trent pilot facility Applications reviewed on a rolling basis Application deadline: 17 May 2026