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This review provides an in-depth look at the Manufacturing Technician – Machining (Full-Time Nights) opportunity at Rolls-Royce in Solihull, Birmingham, aiming to guide prospective candidates in their career journey.
Opportunity Overview
Rolls-Royce is seeking a skilled and dedicated Machining Manufacturing Technician to join their Hydromechanical Valves production team. This role is crucial for the manufacturing of high-precision components essential for the Civil and Defence Aerospace sectors. If you are looking for a role where precision, safety, and quality are paramount, and you wish to contribute to an iconic global brand, this position offers a significant career step.
Key Responsibilities and Your Role
As a Manufacturing Technician, you will be instrumental in the production lifecycle of critical aerospace components. Your core responsibilities will include:
- Operating and Optimising Advanced Machining Equipment: This involves setting up, operating, and meticulously monitoring CNC machining equipment, specifically 9-axis Doosan Puma CNC lathes and 3-axis Okuma Lathes. Precision and adherence to exact tolerances will be key.
- Interpreting Technical Documentation: A strong ability to understand and apply engineering drawings, technical specifications, and working instructions is vital for producing components to the stringent standards required by Rolls-Royce.
- In-Process Quality Control: You will perform critical in-process inspections using advanced precision measuring equipment (e.g., micrometres, callipers, CMM) to ensure absolute compliance with Rolls-Royce's renowned quality standards.
- Process Improvement: This role is not just about execution; it's about enhancement. You'll be involved in identifying and contributing to the implementation of improvements in machining processes, collaborating with Manufacturing Engineers to boost productivity, reduce waste, and elevate component quality.
- Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving: Working collaboratively with engineering and maintenance teams, you will play a part in resolving technical issues that arise during production, ensuring minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.
- Equipment Maintenance: Proactive and preventative maintenance of machining equipment will be a core part of your duties, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of the machinery.
- Quality Assurance and Compliance: Adherence to rigorous Rolls-Royce quality standards and aerospace industry regulations is non-negotiable. Accurate documentation of production data, inspection results, and any non-conformances, with a strong emphasis on product safety, will be expected.
- Health, Safety, and Environment: Upholding all health, safety, and environmental policies to maintain a safe working environment is paramount.
- Team Collaboration: This role thrives on teamwork. You will work closely with a diverse range of cross-functional teams, including manufacturing engineers, quality engineers, production staff, team leaders, and production managers, to achieve collective production targets and resolve complex problems.
Advantages for Your Career Path
Choosing to join Rolls-Royce as a Manufacturing Technician offers a wealth of benefits for your professional development:
- Work with a World-Leading Brand: Become part of a company with over a century of innovation and a global reputation for excellence in critical power systems where safety and reliability are paramount.
- Contribute to Cutting-Edge Aerospace: Your work will directly impact the production of components for both Civil and Defence Aerospace, placing you at the forefront of technological advancement in a vital industry.
- Develop Advanced Technical Skills: Gain hands-on experience with sophisticated CNC machining equipment and precision measurement tools, enhancing your expertise in a highly sought-after field.
- Invested in Your Growth: Rolls-Royce fosters an environment of continuous learning and development, providing access to opportunities that will allow you to grow your career and make a tangible difference.
- Culture of Inclusion and Belonging: Experience a workplace that values diversity, encourages collaboration, and prioritises employee well-being, creating an environment where you can be yourself and reach your full potential.
- Career Progression: This role provides a solid foundation for further advancement within Rolls-Royce's extensive manufacturing and engineering operations.
Key Considerations for Candidates
To thrive in this role and make the most of this opportunity, candidates should consider the following:
- Shift Work: The role operates on a full-time night shift, from Sunday to Thursday, 10 pm to 6 am. Candidates must be comfortable and able to commit to this schedule.
- Technical Foundation: A strong understanding of machining principles is essential. A NVQ/SVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant engineering discipline, including a time-served recognised apprenticeship, or equivalent experience is a prerequisite.
- Precision and Attention to Detail: The nature of aerospace component manufacturing demands exceptional precision and a meticulous approach to quality and safety.
- Problem-Solving Aptitude: The ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve technical issues collaboratively is a key requirement.
- Commitment to Quality and Safety: A deeply ingrained understanding and commitment to upholding the highest standards of quality and safety is non-negotiable.
- Adaptability and Continuous Learning: While established processes are followed, the role also encourages contribution to process optimisation, suggesting a need for an adaptable mindset and a willingness to learn and implement new approaches.
- Understanding of Rolls-Royce Values: Familiarise yourself with Rolls-Royce's core values of agility, boldness, collaboration, and simplicity, as well as their guiding principles of safety first, doing the right thing, keeping it simple, and making a difference. These are integral to the assessment process.
Conclusion
The Manufacturing Technician – Machining position at Rolls-Royce in Solihull represents a significant opportunity for skilled engineers looking to contribute to a world-class organisation and a critical sector. If you possess the required technical expertise, a commitment to excellence, and are ready to embrace a challenging yet rewarding role within an innovative and supportive environment, this could be the ideal next step in your career.
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