Position and Location
Manufacturing Architect – Reading
Salary
Up to £100,000 DOE. Salary range: £50,000 to £100,000 with flexibility for exceptional candidates.
Overview
KO2's client is hiring a founding motor manufacturing architect / engineer to take full ownership of a brand new, high performance manufacturing facility in Reading. This is a genuine ground up opportunity. You will set up the motor assembly facility from scratch, defining how it should be designed, laid out and operated. With a blank sheet in front of you, you will architect the manufacturing processes, select equipment, and build a production environment that sets the benchmark for motor manufacturing in Europe. The facility will focus on small brushless motors used in defence applications, with specifications ranging from 1kW to 15kW power and 6 to 14S voltage platforms. Alongside motor production, the site will also incorporate PCB assembly, creating a tightly integrated manufacturing environment.
The facility’s remit is not just to build it, but to run it. You will manage day to day operations, implement robust processes, and continuously optimise performance across yield, throughput and quality. The ambition is to scale this into the highest volume production facility of its type in Europe.
Responsibilities
- Set up the motor assembly facility from scratch, defining how it should be designed, laid out, and operated.
- Architect the manufacturing processes, select equipment, and build a production environment that sets the benchmark for motor manufacturing in Europe.
- Manage day‑to‑day operations, implement robust processes, and continuously optimise performance across yield, throughput and quality.
- Scale the facility into the highest volume production facility of its type in Europe.
- Work closely with design engineering to bring motors from concept into full production.
- Establish stator winding processes, rotor and stator assembly, bearing installation, balancing, and final verification.
- Procure and commission winding equipment, develop fixtures and tooling, and implement quality systems including process controls, inspection, and traceability.
- Take ownership of supplier qualification across key components such as laminations, magnets, winding wire, bearings, and housings, ensuring consistent quality from incoming materials through to final product.
- Build and lead the manufacturing team as the facility grows, setting the standard for how the operation runs and scales.
Qualifications
- Experience in motor or electromechanical manufacturing, particularly in scaling or optimising production lines.
- Experience with winding, assembly and in‑process electrical testing is essential.
- Exposure to high reliability environments such as aerospace or defence would be highly valuable.
- A hands‑on engineer capable of moving between strategy and execution.
Role Requirements and Logistics
- Full‑time onsite role based in Reading.
- Salary £50,000 to £100,000 with flexibility for exceptional candidates.
- Short‑term contract options can be considered as an interim solution while a permanent hire is secured.
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