Propulsion Manager

About the role

Tekever UK is looking for an onsite Propulsion Manager at its Swindon site to build and run the propulsion manufacturing capability for power unit manufacture, from concept to a fully equipped and staffed cell producing the engines that power its aircraft. It is a build-it-from-scratch role: you will design the space, define how the product is made, recruit the team and drive the production rate the business needs. You will spend your time on the shop floor as much as at a desk.

Key responsibilities

• Design the space allocation and factory footprint, including layout, workflow, material flow, workstations, test, validation and storage
• Specify, source and commission equipment, tooling and fixtures, and partner with Facilities, Manufacturing Engineering and Supply Chain on selection and installation
• Plan the physical build-out in phases aligned to factory ramp and production milestones
• Visit and benchmark established production plants across Europe, and bring proven layouts, equipment choices and ways of working to the new facility
• Design and deploy dedicated fuel and engine test cells, including safety systems, instrumentation and data capture
• Design and deploy an in-house 3D printing / additive capability for prototyping, jigs, fixtures and production parts
• Build working relationships with counterparts at other European plants, lead knowledge-transfer exercises and feed the facility's innovations back into the network
• Work with Procurement/Supply Chain to select outsourcing partners against cost, quality, lead time and supply security, and ensure outsourced components meet quality standards
• Recruit, build and lead the manufacturing team, define roles, shifts and skills matrix, onboard members and manage performance
• Own the fuel and engine test regimes, partner with Quality on root-cause analysis and non-conformance management, and ensure compliance with AS9100 / ISO 9001 and safety/export-control requirements
• Own daily, weekly and monthly output against the production plan, resolve constraints in real time and run a structured day-start routine with KPIs
• Run the lean operating system (5S, standard work, visual management, Kaizen) and lead improvement projects
• Hold ultimate accountability for safety, including fuel handling and engine test operations, and ensure compliance with UK health and safety legislation, COSHH and site procedures

Required profile

• Experience in engines or power units, such as motorcycle, model/UAV aircraft or automotive engines