Lead Production Engineer

Lead Production Engineer

Destinus

Hengelo, Netherlands

Imagine this – you're not just building production lines. You’re leading the charge in industrializing cutting-edge aerospace tech that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Your team is the last stop before our UAV systems hit the skies, and it’s your job to make sure everything runs like clockwork – fast, flawless, and future-ready. As Lead Production Engineer, you're setting the tone and pace for our production efforts. From ramp-up strategy to on-the-ground problem solving, you own the processes, lead the team, and ensure that innovation turns into reality – at scale, and at speed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and coordinate production engineering activities across multiple UAV programs;
• Design and implement end-to-end manufacturing processes that are robust, scalable, and lean;
• Define build strategies, production sequences, and line layouts for new systems;
• Own and continuously improve work instructions, documentation, and tooling;
• Manage production readiness reviews and drive new product introduction (NPI) to full-scale manufacturing;
• Mentor and guide a team of production engineers – grow capabilities, enforce standards, and drive accountability;
• Act as the technical point of contact between engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams;
• Triage and resolve critical production issues with speed and clarity – hands-on when needed;
• Use data to identify bottlenecks, drive efficiency, and eliminate waste;
• Ensure compliance with aerospace standards and support audits as required.

Requirements

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field;
• 10+ years of experience in a similar role within aerospace manufacturing or a related industry;
• Strong background in process development, assembly line design, and production ramp-ups;
• Leadership experience – formal or informal – with a track record of driving teams forward;
• Hands-on problem solver with a solid grasp of lean principles, quality control, and industrial engineering;
• Skilled in creating clear and detailed technical documentation;
• Comfortable working across disciplines – mechanical, electrical, systems;
• Project planning mindset with the ability to juggle multiple priorities in a fast-moving environment;
• Fluent in English – Dutch is a plus.

Who You Are

You’re a builder at heart – of systems, teams, and processes. Fast-paced environments energize you, and you stay sharp under pressure. You’re not afraid to take the lead and make tough calls, and you back it all with deep technical know-how. You thrive on ownership, get satisfaction from making production hum, and know how to guide a team through the chaos of innovation. Collaboration isn’t just a buzzword – it’s how you get things done, and done right.

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