Manufacturing Engineer

Who we are Helsing is a defence AI company. Our mission is to protect our democracies. We aim to achieve technological leadership, so that open societies can continue to make sovereign decisions and control their ethical standards. As democracies, we believe we have a special responsibility to be thoughtful about the development and deployment of powerful technologies like AI. We take this responsibility seriously. We are an ambitious and committed team of engineers, AI specialists and customer-facing programme managers. We are looking for mission-driven people to join our European teams – and apply their skills to solve the most complex and impactful problems. We embrace an open and transparent culture that welcomes healthy debates on the use of technology in defence, its benefits, and its ethical implications. The role The Manufacturing Engineer plays a pivotal, strategic role at the intersection of product design and production reality. This position is central to defining how products will be manufactured, ensuring their robust and efficient realization from concept through to scalable production. The Manufacturing Engineer proactively collaborates with design engineering to guarantee manufacturability (DFM/DFA) from the earliest stages, meticulously plans and optimizes manufacturing processes, defines optimal cycle times, identifies and mitigates potential bottlenecks, and oversees the successful implementation of new production lines and technologies. Their expertise ensures that innovative designs can be transformed into high-quality, cost-effective, and scalable products. The day-to-day Define, design, and realise new and optimised manufacturing processes for new product introductions (NPI) or significant design changes Collaborate closely with design engineering from the conceptual phase onwards to provide critical input on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) Analyse and plan manufacturing capacities, define optimal cycle times (Taktzeiten) for new production steps or lines, and perform line balancing to achieve target throughput and efficiency Identify potential bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and risks in planned manufacturing processes and layouts, and develop alternative process or equipment strategies to prevent future production constraints Define requirements for and support the design, procurement, and qualification of new manufacturing tools, fixtures, jigs, and production equipment, including automation solutions Develop comprehensive manufacturing plans for NPI, oversee the setup and validation of new production lines, manage pilot runs, and support a successful ramp-up to full-scale production Establish robust process control plans and conduct validation activities (such as IQ/OQ/PQ) and statistical process capability studies (CpK, PpK) to ensure consistent quality and performance Create and maintain precise manufacturing documentation, including detailed work instructions, process flow diagrams, routings, and process specifications Apply Lean Manufacturing principles (such as Value Stream Mapping, SMED, and Poka-Yoke) and Six Sigma methodologies to continuously refine and optimise production processes, driving measurable waste reduction and efficiency gains Provide expert technical guidance during the implementation of new processes, partnering with R&D, quality, supply chain, and production teams to deliver manufacturing excellence You should apply if you Possess a solid technical foundation in manufacturing, aerospace, industrial, or mechanical engineering Bring demonstrable experience introducing new products to production, defining manufacturing processes, and applying DFM/DFA principles Have a deep understanding of diverse manufacturing processes — such as machining, casting, assembly, and surface treatment — along with their capabilities and limitations Have designed tooling, parts, and factory layouts using CAD software such as SolidWorks, NX, or CATIA Interpret complex en