Manufacturing Design Engineer

Preston (Onsite) | 12-Month Contract | Inside IR35

Belcan Engineering is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Design Engineer to join our Airframe Engineering team, supporting one of the UK's leading aerospace programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer who thrives in a defence manufacturing environment, enjoys solving technical challenges, and wants to play a key role in supporting aircraft production. You'll work at the heart of the build line, providing engineering support, resolving production issues, delivering concession and waiver assessments, and undertaking Design Assurance activities to ensure engineering solutions comply with airworthiness, quality, and programme requirements.

What You'll Be Doing

• Providing day-to-day engineering support to the aircraft build line.
• Investigating and resolving manufacturing and assembly issues.
• Assessing and managing concessions, waivers, and non-conformance queries.
• Supporting Design Assurance activities, ensuring technical solutions meet design intent, certification requirements, and production needs.
• Liaising with design, manufacturing, quality, and production teams to deliver robust engineering solutions.
• Creating and reviewing engineering documentation and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Working with metallic and composite aircraft structures to supporting installation, assembly, and modification activities.
• Performing engineering investigations and root cause analysis to minimise build disruptions.
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to minimise disruption to production and drive continuous improvement.

We're looking for engineers with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Airframe build support and production engineering.
• Concession and waiver assessments.
• Design Assurance activities within aerospace, aviation, or highly regulated engineering environments.
• Aircraft structures (metallic and/or composite).
• Detail part, assembly, and installation design.
• 3D modelling and engineering drawing interpretation.
• BOM creation and technical documentation.
• Strong understanding of configuration control and design change processes.
• Experience within production and design or aircraft programmes, supporting build activities and engineering problem resolution.

What We're Looking For

• Strong understanding of aircraft manufacturing and build processes.
• Demonstrable experience within production and design or aircraft environments, supporting both engineering and manufacturing stakeholders.
• Experience carrying out Design Assurance activities, including design reviews, compliance assessments, or production-focused engineering approvals.
• Ability to work collaboratively with production, manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams.
• Knowledge of aircraft structures, assembly processes, and airworthiness considerations.

Security & Eligibility Requirements

Due to the nature of this programme, successful applicants must be eligible to obtain UK Security Clearance.

This role may involve access to information controlled under export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must meet UK/EU and ITAR eligibility requirements and successfully complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check.

Please note that any offer of employment may be withdrawn if eligibility requirements are not met.

Why Join Belcan?

At Belcan, you'll be part of a highly skilled engineering team supporting advanced aerospace programmes. You'll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact on aircraft production, support critical Design Assurance activities, work alongside industry experts, and contribute to the delivery of cutting-edge aviation projects.

This vacancy is being advertised by Belcan