Manufacturing Engineer External Supply Chain
- Location
- Chengdu, China
- Work type
- On-site
- Job type
- Full-time
- Salary
- Not listed
- Clearance
- Not required
- U.S. citizenship
- Not stated
- Posted
- Sep 24, 2026
About the role
Job Description
Govern the execution of Manufacturing Engineering activities in the External Supply Chain to assure the development, maintenance and continuous improvement of manufacturing processes and/or methods of manufacture which are capable of meeting and continuing to meet business and customer requirements for safety, quality, cost, deliver rate and lead time (SQCD).
Assess the capability of manufacturing suppliers and support source selection and approval in the supply chain.
Where required, act as Product Introduction (PI) Component Lead, integrating the manufacturing engineering activities across the complete value stream as the primary Manufacturing Engineering representative within the core IPT for their owned part(s).
Key Accountabilities
- HSE - Responsible for raising concerns relating to Health, Safety & Environmental Standards in the supplier.
- Product Safety - Ensure that manufacturing processes are capable of achieving and sustaining the design definition, and that processes are followed so that our products and those of our suppliers conform to their specification. Rigorously raise, investigate and resolve safety related issues.
- Quality - Promote a culture of zero defects within the external supply chain. Work with the supplier to reduce risk and drive product Right First Time. Ensure compliance to all relevant company, legislative and technical policies and standards including RRMS, SABRe and Export Control and Intellectual Property requirements.
- Technical Authority - Ensure application of manufacturing process controls within their area of accountability, with authorisation subject to appropriate delegation, e.g. FAIR, PCA approval.
- Requirements - Identify and develop opportunities in the supply chain for new or improved manufacturing processes, digital systems and technologies to meet current or future requirements.
- Planning - Plan and manage activities including schedule, resources and costs, gaining buy-off and communicating current status to relevant stakeholders. Ensure issues and risks are resolved to meet project timescales.
- Develop Capability - In collaboration with external supply chain, develop, implement, validate, maintain and continuously improve manufacturing processes, digital systems and/or methods of manufacture which are capable of meeting and continue to meet requirements for safety, quality, cost, delivery rate and lead time. Capture, analyse and use data to demonstrate and improve the current and future capability of manufacturing processes.
- Deploy Capability - Where relevant, review the Technical Package for acceptability .
In collaboration with external supply chain, resolve technical issues/problems/arisings related to the production method in a structured way, to requirements for safety, quality, cost, deliver rate and leadtime (SQCD).
- Minimum standards - Working with the Supplier, drive manufacturing processes towards identified consistent best practice, leveraging knowledge of Manufacturing Engineering Commodity Leaders and Manufacturing Process Owners.
- Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing - Work with interfacing teams and local experts to ensure technical aspects of manufacturing processes and digital systems are understood and accounted for as required. Capture and utilise lessons learnt. Identify, document and share best practice, including by participation in relevant Communities of Practice.
- Also for PI Component Lead: Work with PI MEs and ESC MEs across domestic plants and external suppliers for the complete component value stream to develop an integrated view of manufacturing engineering activities for their owned parts (schedule, resource, cost and risk).
- Attend IPT meetings, representing the whole value stream of their owned part(s), communicating a consolidated view of ME plans, current status and issues requiring escalation.
- Ensure attendance of required MEs and manufacturing Process Owners at IPT meetings as required to support more detailed discussion.
- Develop Talent - Responsible for self development to meet the required competencies for the role. Continuously seek to expand knowledge and experience to increase effectiveness in undertaking existing and new activities. Provides coaching and technical support to others within their area of competence.
- Build external relationships - Develop and maintain effective relationships with suppliers. Ensure requirements are understood, coach suppliers when required to deliver a successful outcome in line with the requirements and commitment to Rolls-Royce.
Key Experiences and any Qualifications
- Professionally Qualified Engineer (e.g. UK minimum HND/foundation degree or other national equivalent)
- Recognised national or international engineering accreditation (e.g. UK IEng or CEng) where available
- General understanding of manufacturing processes relevant to their business
- General awareness of Manufacturing Systems and enabling software tools relevant to the business
- Understanding of Manufacturing Engineering processes relevant to their role
As part of our selection process, candidates in certain locations may be asked to complete an online assessment, which can include cognitive and behavioural aptitude testing relevant to the role. If required, full instructions for the next steps will be provided.