Senior Production Manager- Submarines

Job Description

Senior Production Manager

Full Time

Derby

Rolls Royce Submarines are seeking an experienced Senior Production Manager / Manufacturing Manager to take full responsibility for a complex, high-value business unit delivering bespoke, low-volume and technically complex products at our manufacturing facilities in Derby

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.

This is a genuine Business Unit leadership role. As the Manufacturing Manager you will have full accountability for Product Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People and Assets, alongside ownership of the manufacturing budget and operational performance.

You will be managing processes to include welding, precision machining and assembly all supported by a highly skilled workforce operating across a 24/5 shift pattern.

As the Manufacturing Manager you will lead and develop a skilled production team, ensuring the operation delivers safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. You will work closely with Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain and Programme teams to optimise capacity, capability, and delivery, while developing a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

What you will be doing:

• Taking full ownership of manufacturing performance and budget within the business unit
• Leadership of a skilled 24/5 production operation
• Accountability for Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, People and Assets
• Management of complex low-volume, high-value manufacturing leading across machining, welding and assembly processes
• Development of manufacturing capability, capacity, and processes
• Driving improvements in productivity, OEE, quality, cost, and lead times
• Developing people, succession plans, and technical capability
• Leading Lean Manufacturing / Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives
• Working collaboratively across the wider business to deliver strategic and operational objectives

Position Qualifications

As an established Manufacturing, Production or Operations leader with experience of managing complex engineering operations, ideally within Defence, Aerospace, Nuclear, Oil & Gas, or another highly regulated precision engineering environments.

• Experience leading teams in complex precision manufacturing, machining, welding, and assembly environments
• Proven experience of leading skilled teams and managing significant budgets and operational performance.
• Hands-on, commercially minded leader with a demonstrable track record of improving manufacturing performance through Lean Six Sigma, structured problem-solving and continuous improvement tools and techniques.

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.

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

Posting Date

01 Sept 2026; 00:09

Posting End Date

08 Sept 2026