Engineering jobs in Belfast

This position is with WoodARCH Specialist Joinery. The role forms part of an Innovation Boost project supported by InterTradeIreland. Salary support under the programme is provided for 12 months; however, the employment contract is with WoodARCH Specialist Joinery and is not limited to the funding period.

WoodARCH Specialist Joinery is a leading manufacturer of luxury bespoke kitchens and architectural joinery, producing exceptional handcrafted interiors. Our reputation is built on outstanding craftsmanship, meticulous attention to detail and delivering projects of the highest quality. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced Production & Operations Manager to lead our manufacturing team and help drive the next phase of our business.

Job Description

Reporting directly to the Production Manager, you will lead the digital transformation and workflow automation of our bespoke manufacturing operations. This hands-on, high-impact role blends software integration, systems implementation, and modern industrial engineering to bridge the gap between front-end design inputs and workshop execution. As a core driver of our future growth, you will not only embed new technologies during the Innovation Boost project but will transition into a permanent leadership position as Manufacturing Systems Manager, directly shaping operational strategy and team expansion.

This is a hands-on role combining furniture manufacturing, interior design, CAD/CAM, CNC production and digital process improvement. Working closely with our design and manufacturing teams, you will examine how projects move from initial interior design concepts and technical drawings through to material procurement, CNC manufacture, assembly and installation. You will identify opportunities to improve these processes through better use of technology, automation and digital manufacturing systems.

The successful candidate will become an important link between our interior designers, technical designers and skilled workshop team, ensuring that designs can be efficiently translated into accurate, repeatable and high-quality manufactured products.

Key Responsibilities

Furniture & Bespoke Manufacturing

• Develop a strong understanding of WoodARCH's bespoke furniture, kitchen and architectural joinery manufacturing processes.
• Review existing manufacturing methods and identify opportunities to improve productivity, accuracy and consistency.

CAD, CAM & CNC Manufacturing

• Develop and maintain effective links between 2D/3D CAD design and CNC manufacturing.
• Work with AutoCAD and other relevant CAD/CAM systems to improve the transition from design information to manufacture.
• Assist with CNC programming, nesting, machining strategies and toolpath optimisation.

Digital Manufacturing & Process Automation

• Digital Systems Integration & Workflow Automation: Map current paper and spreadsheet workflows and integrate an end-to-end digital platform linking customer enquiries, Design for Manufacturing (DFM), procurement, scheduling, and invoicing.
• Design-to-Machine Connectivity: Establish seamless data linkages between customer/internal CAD inputs (AutoCAD, 3D/2D files) and workshop CNC equipment, automating nesting, programming, and toolpathing to reduce material waste and cycle times.
• Production Planning & Procurement Optimisation: Implement digital scheduling tools for job-shop manufacturing, aligning materials purchasing (BOM creation) and stock control to prevent under-ordering and eliminate production bottlenecks.
• Data Collection & Traceability: Deploy Industry 4.0 data capture across workshop machinery to enable real-time tracking of job progress, workshop performance, and key operational KPIs.
• SOP Development & Change Management: Draft clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and conduct hands-on training for skilled workshop operatives to embed new digital processes seamlessly across the shop floor.

Key Accountabilities:

• Capacity & Throughput Expansion: Accountability for unlocking plant capacity and operator utilisation to support aggressive 3-year revenue growth targets.
• Operational Efficiency & Waste Reduction: Driving measurable reductions in material waste and eliminating emergency top-up purchasing costs.
• Quality & Precision Standards: Ensuring all automated outputs and integrated workflows uphold Woodarch’s reputation for prime, handcrafted bespoke joinery.
• Long-Term Leadership & Team Building: Following successful system deployment, taking full operational ownership of manufacturing systems and mentoring/leading additional production operatives as the business scales.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience working within a bespoke manufacturing or joinery environment with a strong understanding of production workflows. They will have a strong technical grounding in CAD (AutoCAD), CNC programming, and machining optimisation with hands-on experience or strong familiarity with process automation, cloud software/databases, APIs, and digital workflow tools. They will also display leadership potential, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to delivering exceptional craftsmanship.

The successful graduate will lead this project, in a supportive partnership with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) as part of InterTradeIreland’s Innovation Boost Programme.

Interviews will be held approximately week commencing: 02/11/2026

Essential Criteria

• A degree in Furniture Design, Furniture Manufacturing, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Product Design, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Digital Manufacturing, CAD/CAM, Engineering Technology or a closely related discipline.
• A good understanding of how furniture, kitchens, cabinetry or architectural joinery are designed and manufactured.
• Experience or strong practical knowledge of CAD, preferably including AutoCAD or similar 2D/3D design software.
• Must be legally entitled to work in NI/UK and travel throughout Ireland as required; if you do require a visa/work permit allowing you to work in Northern Ireland/UK you must upload a copy of it with your application. Failure to provide a relevant Visa/Work permit may result in your application not being considered.

Desirable Criteria

• Previous experience within furniture manufacturing, bespoke joinery, kitchen manufacturing, interior architecture, architectural fit-out or an industrial engineering environment, with a practical understanding of production line workflows.
• Software Integration Skills: Hands-on familiarity with cloud-based business tools, CRM platforms, database configurations, or software frameworks and data analytics capabilities which includes understanding of data extraction, KPI visualisation, or process optimisation frameworks to track operational efficiencies.
• Experience or relevant academic/project experience in process automation and process mapping.
• Experience with CNC routers, machining centres or other CNC woodworking machinery and CAD/CAM software and CNC programming.
• Problem-Solving & Innovation: An ability to work independently, dynamic to change, a self-starter and a proven ability to look at traditional manual processes and design logical, automated digital alternatives using modern technology workflows.
• RD&I Collaboration: Prior experience engaging with higher education institutions or technology gateways on research, development, and innovation (RDI) initiatives.

Pay: £30,000.00-£35,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person