MES Engineer

Most MES jobs want “10 years’ experience” and a shopping list of programming languages nobody actually uses. This isn’t that job.

If you understand how factories run, know your way around IT systems, and enjoy fixing problems that affect real production — not just spreadsheet KPIs — this MES Engineer role in Banbury is worth your attention. It’s hands-on, cross-functional, and gives you a real say in how systems evolve, not just how they’re supported.

You’ll be working at the point where manufacturing meets IT — keeping systems running, improving how information flows, and getting involved in live projects across multiple sites.

• Support and maintain MES systems across the plant.
• Act as the bridge between IT, MES and production — translating issues, not just logging them.
• Provide line-side support and keep manufacturing systems running smoothly.
• Troubleshoot, test and validate fixes properly (no “quick patches” that break something else).
• Run database queries and carry out basic diagnostics (Oracle/PostgreSQL).
• Support integration work with internal teams and 3rd-party suppliers.
• Get involved in reporting, dashboards, labels and system improvements.
• Work with MES Technicians to make sure issues are prioritised and dealt with effectively.
• Follow proper change control processes before anything goes live.
• Contribute to project timelines, launches and continuous improvement work.
• Take part in the out-of-hours call rota when needed.

• Curiosity, adaptability and a willingness to learn — the role values attitude as much as experience.
• A background in either IT support or manufacturing environments (ideally both).
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to stay calm when production is under pressure.
• Comfortable running database queries and doing basic technical diagnostics.
• Exposure to MES, ERP, PLCs or production systems is useful, not essential.
• Coding/scripting knowledge (Python etc.) is a bonus, not a requirement.
• Good communication skills — able to work with operators, engineers and IT teams.
• A hands-on, “get stuck in” approach and the confidence to take ownership of issues.

MES is the nervous system of manufacturing. When it works, nobody notices. When it doesn’t, everything stops. This role puts you right at the centre of that — fixing real problems, improving how systems behave, and shaping how digital manufacturing evolves.

If you like variety, visibility and being the person people rely on when something important breaks, you’ll enjoy this.

Banbury — with occasional involvement in projects at other sites.

If you want an MES role that values problem-solving over buzzwords — and gives you room to grow across both IT and manufacturing — apply today.

Your CV will be forwarded to Jonathan Lee Recruitment, a leading engineering and manufacturing recruitment consultancy established in 1978. The services advertised by Jonathan Lee Recruitment are those of an Employment Agency.
In order for your CV to be processed effectively, please ensure your name, email address, phone number and location (post code OR town OR county, as a minimum) are included.