For Burnley-headquartered Velocity Composites plc, as the global aerospace production gathers pace, the firm sees how quickly new aircraft programmes can move from engineering concept to stable, repeatable production. The challenge extends beyond advanced composite materials though. It is about building the engineering capability that enables customers to introduce new programmes faster, manage change more effectively and deliver operational excellence throughout the manufacturing lifecycle.
The company’s latest recruitment of a Project Engineer reflects that wider strategy, strengthening its engineering team as aerospace manufacturers continue increasing production rates across commercial aviation and defence.
Rather than viewing project engineering as simply another technical discipline, Velocity sees it as a critical function that connects customers, manufacturing operations, engineering, procurement and supply chain partners throughout increasingly complex aerospace programmes.
Chief Operating Officer Oliver Smalley believes the industry’s expectations of engineering have changed significantly.
“Modern aerospace manufacturing depends on disciplined programme execution. Customers are looking for partners who can introduce new products efficiently, manage change effectively and maintain quality while production rates continue to increase.
“Project engineers play a vital role in making that happen because they bring together technical understanding with practical delivery. They help ensure every stage of a programme progresses smoothly from customer requirements through to manufacturing.”
Velocity Composites supports many of the world’s leading aerospace OEMs and Tier One manufacturers through an integrated offering that combines engineering expertise, advanced composite material kitting, digital inventory management and supply chain optimisation.
As manufacturers seek to reduce lead times while maintaining the highest levels of quality and traceability, effective programme management has become increasingly valuable across the aerospace supply chain.
The new Project Engineer will lead New Product Introduction (NPI) activities involving structural and processed composite materials, working closely with customers and manufacturing teams to coordinate product launches, support continuous improvement initiatives and deliver engineering change programmes.
For Smalley, successful programme delivery is increasingly measured by more than technical capability alone.
“Engineering today is highly collaborative. Success comes from understanding customer priorities, communicating effectively across multiple teams and identifying opportunities to improve performance before challenges develop.
“Our engineers don’t work in isolation. They work alongside customers, suppliers and operational teams to ensure programmes are delivered safely, efficiently and consistently.”
The appointment supports Velocity’s continued investment in digitally enabled manufacturing, where proprietary technologies improve material traceability, inventory visibility and composite material utilisation.
These capabilities allow customers to optimise production planning, reduce inventory burden and improve manufacturing efficiency while supporting increasing aircraft build rates.
As aerospace programmes become more digitally connected, engineers are also expected to interpret production data, manage project milestones and support operational decision-making across multiple international sites.
Smalley believes these broader responsibilities make engineering careers more rewarding than ever.
“Today’s engineers have the opportunity to influence every stage of the manufacturing process. Whether it’s supporting new programme introductions, improving production performance or helping customers solve complex operational challenges, they have a genuine opportunity to make a measurable impact.
“For ambitious engineers, it’s an exciting time to join the industry because aerospace is investing not only in new aircraft but in the people and technologies that will define how those aircraft are built.”
The recruitment follows a period of continued operational progress for Velocity Composites, including international programme growth, ongoing investment in digital manufacturing technologies and the recent achievement of Nadcap Merit status at its Tallassee, Alabama manufacturing facility.
As aerospace production continues to expand worldwide, Velocity believes investment in engineering capability will remain central to delivering the operational excellence, customer responsiveness and manufacturing innovation expected by the global aerospace industry.
Applications for the Project Engineer position are now open through the Velocity Composites careers website.
