Job Description

Navantia UK is a new force in British industry, supporting the UK’s defence, energy and maritime ambitions. We’re doing this by creating state-of-the-art sovereign defence capabilities, investing in the UK to modernise industrial facilities, and bolstering the nation's energy security. Established in 2022, Navantia UK is a subsidiary of Navantia SA, a Spanish state-owned company with over 300 years of naval shipbuilding history. In January 2025, Navantia UK completed the acquisition of Harland & Wolff and its four historic facilities in Belfast, Appledore, Methil, and Arnish. By combining Harland & Wolff’s proud heritage and facilities with Navantia’s global expertise, Navantia UK is well-positioned to strengthen Britain’s defence, maritime and energy industrial capabilities, supporting jobs and economic growth across the UK.

⚓ Production Engineering Manager

📍 Methil, Scotland | Navantia UK

🕒 Full-time | Senior management role

Shape how ships are built, not just designed

Navantia UK is seeking an experienced Production Engineering Manager to play a critical role in planning and delivering efficient, build‑ready shipbuilding programmes at our Methil yard

This is a senior operational leadership role where you’ll sit at the heart of design, procurement, construction and testing, ensuring that programmes are delivered efficiently, safely and to the highest quality standards. You’ll define how vessels are built — translating design intent into practical, optimised production strategies.

⚙️ What you’ll be doing

• Coordinating design, procurement, construction and test activities across shipyard functions to maximise programme efficiency
• Ensuring designs are manufacturable within Methil yard facilities and capabilities
• Defining and owning the production and build strategy, from top‑level concept down to executable work packages
• Working with the Programme Management Office to develop and maintain integrated schedules that drive delivery
• Leading material strategy, procurement launches and inventory control to minimise shortages, storage time and surplus
• Converting construction design outputs into clear work packages for build and test execution
• Supporting installation and testing activities, resolving issues and feeding lessons learned back into continuous improvement
• Driving LEAN and continuous improvement across production engineering and delivery processes
• Leading, mentoring and developing teams while embedding best practice and Navantia UK values

🧠 What we’re looking for

Essential

• Degree in Engineering (or equivalent experience)
• Significant hands‑on experience in shipbuilding or a similar heavy engineering / manufacturing environment
• Proven experience leading and managing teams
• Strong knowledge of production engineering, quality standards and project management
• Experience applying LEAN and continuous improvement methodologies
• Ability to coordinate across multiple functions and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong understanding of manufacturing constraints, material flow and build sequencing

🌍 Why join Navantia UK?

• A senior leadership role with real influence over how ships are built
• The opportunity to work on complex new‑build programmes
• A collaborative environment that values Service, Trust, Excellence, Agility, Dedication and You
• The chance to shape production strategy and drive continuous improvement at site level
• Career development within the wider Navantia Group

📩 Interested?

Apply with your CV and help define the production strategy behind Navantia UK’s future shipbuilding programmes.

Navantia UK is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Additional Information

On Offer:

• Competitive base pay
• Company pension
• 31 days holiday
• Life assurance
• Health Care Cash Plan

  Equal Opportunity: We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. To ensure equal opportunities for all candidates, we commit to a fair and unbiased recruitment process at every stage. This includes ensuring hiring managers are aware of legislation, providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities, and actively seeking to eliminate any form of discrimination based on race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. Our goal is to create a recruitment environment where every candidate feels valued and has an equal chance to succeed.

  If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.

We are an Opening Doors employer, committed to equal opportunity and an inclusive workplace. Our approach, shaped by our values of service, trust, excellence, agility, dedication, and you, we focus on removing barriers and recognising potential. We are committed to fairness at every stage, including providing reasonable adjustments and actively working to eliminate discrimination.

We believe talent is everywhere, and by widening access to opportunity and welcoming diverse experiences, we aim to create a workplace where every person feels valued and has an equal chance.

If you experience difficulties or are unable to apply for a role on-line please contact us at people.skills@harland-wolff.com and one of the team will be in contact to help you.