Process Engineer Recruitment Agency Since 2005
TL;DR:
Since 2005, Sigma Recruitment has excelled in recruiting high-calibre process engineers. Our deep experience and extensive talent network across the UK mean we consistently deliver outstanding results for companies in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.
Frequently Asked Questions about Recruiting Process Engineers
What makes hiring a Process Engineer so difficult?
Many companies find hiring Process Engineers tough due to high demand and a scarcity of qualified candidates.
The role is vital across many thriving UK sectors, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy, creating fierce competition for the best talent. Top candidates are often passive, meaning they are not actively searching for a new job and are unlikely to be found on job boards. Overcoming this requires a proactive approach, which is why working with a specialist manufacturing recruitment agency is so effective.
The role is vital across many thriving UK sectors, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and energy, creating fierce competition for the best talent. Top candidates are often passive, meaning they are not actively searching for a new job and are unlikely to be found on job boards. Overcoming this requires a proactive approach, which is why working with a specialist manufacturing recruitment agency is so effective.
Why is it challenging to find qualified Process Engineers?
Finding a skilled Process Engineer is hard because the position demands a unique mix of academic qualifications and practical experience.
A candidate might hold the right degree but lack hands-on skills in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or specific industry software. On the other hand, someone with practical experience may lack the formal engineering qualifications needed for complex process design and validation. A specialist agency excels at identifying candidates who possess the right balance of skills, a core part of our recruitment approach.
A candidate might hold the right degree but lack hands-on skills in lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or specific industry software. On the other hand, someone with practical experience may lack the formal engineering qualifications needed for complex process design and validation. A specialist agency excels at identifying candidates who possess the right balance of skills, a core part of our recruitment approach.
How can we recruit a Process Engineer in today’s competitive market?
In a competitive landscape, a proactive recruitment strategy is crucial for success.
This involves using an extensive, pre-existing network of engineers, actively headhunting passive candidates, and crafting compelling job adverts that emphasise career development. At Sigma, we delve into your specific technical requirements and company culture to find the perfect match, a strategy that is key when sourcing manufacturing talent.
This involves using an extensive, pre-existing network of engineers, actively headhunting passive candidates, and crafting compelling job adverts that emphasise career development. At Sigma, we delve into your specific technical requirements and company culture to find the perfect match, a strategy that is key when sourcing manufacturing talent.
What should we do about high staff turnover for Process Engineers?
High turnover rates are frequently linked to a lack of clear career development opportunities.
Process Engineers are typically ambitious professionals who seek a clear path for advancement, from a junior level to senior or management positions. To boost retention, companies should focus on providing continuous training, funding for certifications like Six Sigma, and establishing a transparent career progression framework. A robust employee development plan is essential for keeping top talent engaged.
Process Engineers are typically ambitious professionals who seek a clear path for advancement, from a junior level to senior or management positions. To boost retention, companies should focus on providing continuous training, funding for certifications like Six Sigma, and establishing a transparent career progression framework. A robust employee development plan is essential for keeping top talent engaged.
What is the average salary for a Process Engineer in the UK for 2025?
Our market data shows that typical salaries for Process Engineers in 2025 vary by experience.
An entry-level or graduate Process Engineer can expect to earn between £28,000 and £38,000 per year. An experienced engineer typically commands a salary from £40,000 to £65,000, while those in senior or principal roles can earn over £70,000 annually. For precise figures tailored to your role and location, we offer free salary benchmarking services.
An entry-level or graduate Process Engineer can expect to earn between £28,000 and £38,000 per year. An experienced engineer typically commands a salary from £40,000 to £65,000, while those in senior or principal roles can earn over £70,000 annually. For precise figures tailored to your role and location, we offer free salary benchmarking services.
What are the advantages of using a specialist engineering recruitment agency?
A specialist agency provides access to a broader pool of high-calibre candidates who are often not actively seeking new roles.
We offer expert market intelligence, manage the time-intensive screening process, and ensure a better long-term fit by aligning technical skills with your company culture. This approach saves you valuable time and resources while significantly improving the quality of your hire. Discover the seven key reasons to work with a specialist agency on our blog.
We offer expert market intelligence, manage the time-intensive screening process, and ensure a better long-term fit by aligning technical skills with your company culture. This approach saves you valuable time and resources while significantly improving the quality of your hire. Discover the seven key reasons to work with a specialist agency on our blog.
What qualifications should a Process Engineer have?
A Process Engineer typically holds a degree in Chemical, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering.
Qualifications such as a BEng, MEng, HNC, or HND are common. Just as important are industry experience in relevant sectors and professional certifications in methodologies like Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing, which demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
Qualifications such as a BEng, MEng, HNC, or HND are common. Just as important are industry experience in relevant sectors and professional certifications in methodologies like Six Sigma or Lean Manufacturing, which demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
What are the key skills for a successful Process Engineer?
Top Process Engineers combine strong technical abilities with excellent soft skills.
Key competencies include analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues with data, a continuous improvement mindset using tools like Kaizen and Lean, and robust project management abilities. Strong communication is also vital for collaborating effectively across all departments, from the shop floor to senior leadership.
Key competencies include analytical and problem-solving skills to identify issues with data, a continuous improvement mindset using tools like Kaizen and Lean, and robust project management abilities. Strong communication is also vital for collaborating effectively across all departments, from the shop floor to senior leadership.
What are some effective interview questions for a Process Engineer?
Your questions should probe a candidate’s practical experience and problem-solving capabilities.
Great examples include: “Describe a time you significantly improved a manufacturing process. What was the result?” or “How have you used data, such as SPC, to identify and resolve a process issue?”. For more ideas, explore our guide on interviewing techniques for engineers.
Great examples include: “Describe a time you significantly improved a manufacturing process. What was the result?” or “How have you used data, such as SPC, to identify and resolve a process issue?”. For more ideas, explore our guide on interviewing techniques for engineers.
Which industries hire Process Engineers?
Process Engineers are in demand across a wide range of technical and manufacturing sectors.
We recruit for a variety of industries, including automotive, chemical, FMCG, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, electronics, food manufacturing, semiconductors, and heavy industrial.
We recruit for a variety of industries, including automotive, chemical, FMCG, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, electronics, food manufacturing, semiconductors, and heavy industrial.
What locations do you cover for Process Engineer recruitment?
We recruit Process Engineers for roles across the UK and internationally.
Our key locations include major engineering hubs like Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester, and Leeds. We also have a strong presence across South Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, and Bridgend.
Our key locations include major engineering hubs like Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester, and Leeds. We also have a strong presence across South Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, and Bridgend.
Example Process Engineer Candidate Profiles
Please note: These are example profiles to illustrate the calibre of candidates we work with.
67701 – Process Engineer – £35k+
- Master’s qualified engineer with circa 18 months of industry experience
- Holds a MEng in Chemical Engineering (First Class)
- At present undertaking a process-focused role working as part of a team on a decommissioning project
- Current duties include HAZID studies, report wiring, providing updates to stakeholders and understanding the scope of work that needs to be undertaken
- Completed a placement as part of studies focused on quality improvement of product
- Has recently completed training in areas such as Six Sigma Green Belt, A3 thinking, Pareto analysis, use of fishbone diagrams and process safety.
42922 – Process Engineer – £50K+
- Master’s qualified engineering professional with circa 3 and a half years of industry experience
- Has worked in semiconductor, chemical and life science sectors.
- Holds an MEng in Chemical Engineering (2:1)
- Current role involves translating customer’s requirements into manufacturing, utilising SPC to monitor equipment performance and reporting on performance for customers.
- COMAH experience
- Previous experience from an industrial placement in an R&D/development environment working on pilot plant scale and managing development projects.
Why Use Sigma As Your Process Engineer Recruitment Agency?
Sigma Recruitment has a proven history of helping companies find skilled process engineers who excel in designing, developing and optimising processes. Whether your sector is chemical, heavy industry, automotive, food or medical we connect you with the right candidates to achieve your business needs.
Ready to Hire Your Next Process Engineer?
Let us help you find the right talent to drive your business forward. To discuss your specific requirements, you can call us on 02920 450 100, email rhys@sigmarecruitment.co.uk, or schedule a vacancy discussion directly in Rhys’ calendar below.
