Digital Manufacturing Lead

Job Description

Digital Manufacturing Lead

Derby (Hybrid, open to any UK location)

37 hour per week

We have an exciting opportunity for a Digital Manufacturing Lead to join the team, open to applications from any UK site.

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.

Position summary

We’re looking for a collaborative and forward-looking Digital Manufacturing Lead to help modernise and evolve our Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) landscape—ensuring our people, processes, and technology are ready for the future.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll be at the heart of our digital transformation—connecting business needs with technical solutions and ensuring successful delivery of manufacturing innovation.

Key responsibilities include:

Driving digital transformation

• Deliver key elements of the Digital Manufacturing and MES strategy
• Improve and transform existing digital capabilities aligned to business and enterprise architecture roadmaps
• Act as the key interface between engineering, IT, and operational teams

Designing safe, effective processes

• Lead future-state manufacturing process design with safety at the core
• Support system and functional design to ensure tools enable safe, efficient operations
• Define and execute system integration and user acceptance testing

Enabling change and adoption

• Prepare teams for process and system changes through engagement and clear communication
• Lead pilot deployments, define success criteria, and create scalable rollout playbooks
• Build strong user communities to support adoption and continuous improvement

Simplifying complexity

• Translate complex operational needs into clear, structured requirements (user stories, process maps, etc.)
• Communicate effectively across technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Balance multiple priorities and perspectives across a diverse stakeholder group

Driving continuous improvement

• Identify opportunities to enhance manufacturing processes and digital systems
• Use data insights to improve safety, quality, cost, and delivery performance
• Support a “right first time” culture and reduce operational risk

Collaboration & external engagement

• Work closely with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and partners
• Share best practice, lessons learned, and technical knowledge across the organisation

What we’re looking for

We welcome candidates from a range of backgrounds—if you bring transferable experience and a passion for digital transformation, we’d love to hear from you.

You’ll bring:

• Experience in manufacturing, engineering, or digital transformation environments
• Understanding of manufacturing operations (planning, logistics, production execution)
• Exposure to MES or similar enterprise systems (experience is beneficial but not essential)
• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence without authority
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in complex environments
• A proactive mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and innovation

Qualifications (desirable):

• Engineering qualification (e.g. HND, degree, or equivalent experience)
• Professional accreditation (e.g. IEng, CEng) is advantageous but not required

Regional Benefits

Our People are our power, so when join Rolls-Royce you are offered more than a salary. You are given a choice of flexible benefits from life insurance to gym discounts and tax free cycling.

• Generous Annual Leave
• Retirement Savings through the Rolls-Royce Retirement Savings Trust
• Group Life Assurance provides for a lump sum benefit if you die whilst employed by Rolls-Royce
• Group Income Protection provides an income in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Your Shares: Matched is a simple way to own Rolls-Royce shares and invest in our future, together. Buy one share, get one free!
• Digital GP provides a convenient way for you to access GP consultations
• Employee Assistance (EAP) and Live Well programmes

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.

Closing Date: 28th July 2026

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.

Job Category

Manufacturing Engineering

Posting Date

14 Jul 2026; 00:07

Posting End Date

28 Jul 2026