Manufacturing Engineer – Digital & Automation - Submarines
Full Time
Derby
As a digital systems manufacturing engineer, you’ll be primarily focused on developing automation and robotics across manufacturing. You’ll be responsible for leading the development, deployment and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing technologies across the business.
Why Join Rolls-Royce?
At Rolls-Royce we are proud to be a business that has truly helped to shape the modern world and are committed to always being a force for progress; powering, protecting and connecting people everywhere.
By joining Rolls-Royce, you'll have the opportunity to work on world-class solutions, supported by a culture that believes individuality is our greatest strength, and all perspectives, experiences and backgrounds help us innovate and enable our high-performance culture.
As the Manufacturing Engineer you will provide specialist engineering knowledge in the application and operation of robotics’ and automation across our manufacturing processes, identifying where automation can improve safety, quality, productivity, repeatability and manufacturing efficiency.
You will actively collaborate across engineering and operations teams to develop and implement automated solutions that align with business objectives. You will be responsible for leading automation activities from early concept and feasibility through process development, commissioning and production implementation and industrialisation.
What you will be doing:
As the technical lead for manufacturing automation and robotics:
- Act as a Manufacturing Engineering subject-matter specialist for application and operations of automation and robotics across manufacturing.
- Lead the identification, assessment and implementation of opportunities to automate manufacturing processes and whilst maintaining alignment to the digital roadmap.
- Develop automation solutions from concept and feasibility through detailed process development, commissioning, validation and production implementation.
- Lead technical assessments and provide recommendations on the suitability of components, assemblies and manufacturing processes for automation.
- Influence product and process design through Design for Manufacture and Design for Automation principles, ensuring future products can take greater advantage of automated manufacture.
- Lead technical engagement with automation suppliers, equipment manufacturers and system integrators.
- Support capital investment activities through development of technical requirements, options assessments, business cases and equipment specifications.
- Lead or support equipment acceptance, commissioning, process proving and production readiness activities, including FAT and SAT where appropriate.
- Ensure automated manufacturing processes demonstrate appropriate levels of capability, repeatability and control before release into production.
Position Qualifications
· Deep and broad technical expertise in automation and robotics across manufacturing processes, including defining, developing, successfully industrialising.
· Support the development of technology and commodity roadmaps for increasing automation and robotics capability.
· Work across manufacturing operations in supporting the transition toward increasingly automated, digitally connected and intelligent manufacturing systems.
- Build effective technical relationships across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and external suppliers, OEM and catapult centres.
To work for Rolls-Royce Submarines you need to hold a Security Check (SC) clearance without any caveats to that clearance. Rolls-Royce will support the application for Security Clearance if you don’t currently already have this in place.
Due to the nature of work the business conducts and the protection of certain assets, you must hold a UK nationality. Any dual nationals will require additional scrutiny and background checks prior to commencing work with RRSL.
Our vision is to ensure that the excellence and ingenuity that shaped our history continues into our future. Our multi-year transformation programme aims to turn Rolls-Royce into a high-performing, competitive, resilient and growing company. Join us, and it can be your future vision too.
Rolls-Royce are committed to being a respectful, inclusive, and non-discriminatory workplace where individuality is valued, diverse perspectives fuel innovation, and everyone can thrive.
Please be aware that the priority will be given to employees identified as being at high risk. The professional level and salary of the position will be dependent on the skills and experience of the successful candidate but is anticipated to
This job is advertised at the grades shown, and this is the desired operating level for this role. We encourage applications from candidates with relevant experience from any grade.
It is advised that you inform your current manager of your application for this role.
Level 8-10
Please contact [email protected] for further information
Job CategoryManufacturing EngineeringPosting Date12 Oct 2026; 00:10Posting End Date26 Oct 2026
Skills Required
- Deep and broad technical expertise in manufacturing automation and robotics, including development and industrialisation
- Experience developing and implementing automated manufacturing solutions from concept through production
- Ability to lead technical assessments, commissioning, validation, process proving, and production-readiness activities
- Ability to build technical relationships across engineering, manufacturing, operations, suppliers, OEMs, and research centres
- UK nationality
- Security Check (SC) clearance, or eligibility to obtain it
Rolls-Royce Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Rolls-Royce and has not been reviewed or approved by Rolls-Royce.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is strengthened by a U.S. 401(k) program and recent Indianapolis agreements that enhanced retirement benefits. This foundation is complemented by an ongoing company emphasis on competitive retirement provisions across regions.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Equity value is broadened through a global employee share plan with a broad-based grant in 2024. A matched-purchase program introduced in 2025 further extends access to share ownership.
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Flexible Benefits — Flexible benefits are highlighted through a holistic, choice-based package and flexible working principles under the People Deal. Regional tailoring provides options spanning wellbeing, recognition, and other locally relevant rewards.
Rolls-Royce Insights
What We Do
Delivering power and propulsion solutions in the air, at sea and on land.







