Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Paint
Group LotusNorwich, England, United Kingdom
Added 16 Jul · still live
Not disclosed
Salary
Not disclosed by employer
£42,500
Going rate
Skilled Worker going rate
This role may qualify for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 3113 is an eligible occupation, but we classified this role with low confidence (49% match). If the code is right — and Group Lotus is a licensed sponsor — it should qualify, but double-check the occupation eligibility rules against the actual role.
About the role
Lotus Cars is renowned for crafting world-class, high-performance, and lightweight sports cars that are celebrated across the globe.
Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all-electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Paint to join our dynamic Paint team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel.
Summary
The Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Paint is responsible for developing, optimising and maintaining robust paint manufacturing processes that deliver world-class quality, safety, cost and delivery performance. Working within a high-volume automotive OEM environment, the role provides technical leadership across paint operations, supporting current production, new model introductions and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with customer, industry and environmental standards.
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities
Lotus Cars Limited serves as the company’s manufacturing HQ in the UK, where we proudly produce iconic models such as the Emira and the all-electric Evija. As we continue to elevate our capabilities and global presence, we are seeking a Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Paint to join our dynamic Paint team at our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hethel.
Summary
The Senior Manufacturing Engineer – Paint is responsible for developing, optimising and maintaining robust paint manufacturing processes that deliver world-class quality, safety, cost and delivery performance. Working within a high-volume automotive OEM environment, the role provides technical leadership across paint operations, supporting current production, new model introductions and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring compliance with customer, industry and environmental standards.
What You'll Do
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the development, optimisation and continuous improvement of paint manufacturing processes to maximise quality, efficiency, throughput and equipment reliability.
- Provide technical ownership of paint application processes, including pretreatment, e-coat, primer, basecoat, clearcoat and associated curing systems where applicable.
- Support new model introductions, engineering changes and product launches, ensuring paint processes are developed, validated and introduced successfully.
- Specify, procure, commission and validate new paint equipment and manufacturing systems, including supplier management, Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
- Investigate and resolve paint process and product quality concerns using structured problem-solving methodologies, identifying root causes and implementing robust corrective and preventive actions.
- Significant experience in automotive paint manufacturing within a high-volume OEM or Tier 1 environment.
- Strong understanding of automotive paint application technologies, coating systems and curing processes.
- Experience of APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, Control Plans and structured problem-solving methodologies.
- Practical experience of paint performance testing and validation, including adhesion, corrosion, durability and environmental resistance testing.
- Knowledge of quality management systems, particularly ISO 9001, and experience supporting internal and external audits.
- Experience with process capability analysis, statistical process control and data-driven manufacturing improvement.
- Proven ability to lead continuous improvement projects delivering measurable quality, cost and productivity benefits.
- Experience managing capital equipment projects and equipment commissioning.
- Degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering or a related discipline.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt.
- Knowledge of IATF 16949 and automotive quality standards.
- Experience with robotic paint application systems and automated manufacturing technologies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
- Methodical with excellent attention to detail.
- Proactive, collaborative and results-focused.
- Comfortable working across cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders at all levels.
- Passionate about continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
- 25 Vacation Days + Bank Holidays: Recharge, explore, or binge-watch your favorite series with plenty of time to relax and enjoy life outside of work.
- Performance Bonus: Get rewarded for your hard work with an exciting, non-contractual bonus scheme—because great effort deserves great perks.
- Future-Proof Pension: Plan for your tomorrow while thriving today with a solid pension scheme to keep your future bright.
- Private Healthcare: Stay healthy and stress-free with premium healthcare coverage tailored to keep you at your best.
- This role will be working from our Hethel plant.
Group Lotus is a leading sports car manufacturer with over 75-year long history of iconic designs, groundbreaking engineering and legendary victories on the F1 track. Today we are transforming into a truly global performance car brand focused on the electrical future. In 2022 we launched the Eletre, the world’s first all-electric hyper-SUV, and in 2023 our fully-electric Hyper-GT, Emeya.
As part of the Lotus team, you push boundaries. Those of the car industry and of your own. Every member of the Lotus family has some of the pioneering mindset of founder Colin Chapman in them.
Hethel, Norfolk, England has been the home of Lotus for over 60 years, ever since Colin Chapman, our founder, started making championship-winning racing cars. In conjunction with production facili
ties in Norwich, and research facilities near Warwick, our UK sites offer a wide breadth of roles for all disciplines.
We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.
Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/
We're not just a car company; we're a diverse mix of talent from all walks of life. At Group Lotus, we firmly believe that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords but essential pillars of a thriving and successful organisation. Read more here: Equity, Diversity & Inclusion in Lotus Cars.
Do you want to know what Sophisticated, Rebellious and Pioneering mean for Lotus Cars Limited? Come and take a look at our career site and join the incredible adventure: https://lotusukmanufacturing.teamtailor.com/
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with Group Lotus, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
SOC 3113 · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · ~82k in sampleP25 £35kP75 £56k
£28kmedian £45kgoing rate £43k£56k
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Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. Group Lotus holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 3113 going rate of £42,500. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.