Tired of a Slow Hiring Process? We’ll Connect You with London’s Top Manufacturing & Engineering Talent, Faster.
Rhys Williams
Founder of Sigma Recruitment & Expert Engineering Recruiter.
With 20 years of experience recruiting engineering professionals for the manufacturing sector in the UK, Rhys has an unrivalled network and a deep understanding of how to succesfully fill engineering vacancies for the manufacturing sector.
Fill Critical Engineering Roles Quickly
Stop wasting time on irrelevant CVs and missed opportunities. Book a free 20-minute Recruitment Strategy Call with Rhys today. You will benefit from:
- A talent market map for your specific engineering role in London.
- Clarity on the salary ranges and benefits needed to attract top-tier candidates.
- An action plan to fill your vacancy faster.
No cost. No commitment. Just 20 minutes of advice that will save you hours of frustration.
Proven results, top-rated service
Case Studies: Our Proven Success in High-Stakes Engineering Recruitment for Manufacturing
We provide effective technical staffing solutions for London’s manufacturers and across the UK. Explore our case studies below to see how we solve complex recruitment challenges.
Case Study: Sourcing a Niche Electronics Design Engineer
The Challenge: A global high-tech manufacturing client needed to hire a specialist Electronics Design Engineer in a highly competitive local market. The talent pool was extremely limited, and they were competing against companies offering higher salaries and better benefits.
Our Solution: We conducted a deep vacancy analysis with the HR and line manager to define essential criteria. A detailed market map and sourcing plan were created to identify and engage passive candidates across multiple platforms, including a targeted PPC campaign to a custom audience with an interest in electronics.
The Result: We successfully presented three highly-skilled, fully-vetted candidates. The client proceeded with two to the final stage and hired an exceptional engineer who has since completed over two years of successful service. This demonstrated our ability to deliver in even the most challenging talent markets.
Case Study: High-Volume Maintenance Team Expansion
The Challenge: A global chemical company was undertaking a major site expansion and needed to hire 15+ maintenance staff with varied skillsets (mechanical, electrical, automation). The roles had complex shift patterns and a salary structure that made them difficult to fill in a candidate-driven market.
Our Solution: We worked as a strategic partner, creating SEO-optimised adverts for each skillset and launching a high-volume sourcing plan. We managed the entire process, from thoroughly screening candidates on the complex package to briefing them for the client’s extensive 4-hour interview process, booking 14 interviews in a single week.
The Result: During the project, Sigma successfully placed 15 maintenance staff. Our rigorous pre-screening and management of the complex onboarding process ensured a high conversion rate from interview to hire, enabling the client to meet their critical expansion deadlines.
Why the Best London Engineering Recruitment Agencies are Partners, Not Suppliers
The difference between a transactional recruiter and a true recruitment partner can have a significant impact on your hiring success, company culture, and long-term growth. Here’s how they compare.
| Aspect | The Transactional Agency | ✅ The Recruitment Partner (Sigma) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Goal | Fill the role as quickly as possible to earn a fee. | Find the right long-term candidate who aligns with your technical needs and company culture. |
| Process | Forwards a high volume of unvetted or poorly-vetted CVs from a single source. | Consults on the role, conducts in-depth screening interviews, and only presents a qualified shortlist. |
| Communication | Infrequent or purely reactive updates. You often have to chase them for information. | Proactive communication, providing market insights, feedback, and regular progress reports. |
| Market Knowledge | Generalist understanding of many industries. | Deep, specialist knowledge of the engineering and manufacturing sectors. |
| Outcome | A placement that may or may not last. The relationship ends when the invoice is paid. | A valuable new team member. The relationship continues to ensure a smooth onboarding and future success. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What engineering recruitment services do you provide in London?
What manufacturing industry sectors do you recruit for?
What engineering jobs do you recruit for in London?
What are the challenges of recruiting engineers in London?
Why should we work with Sigma Recruitment for London engineering recruitment?
What do engineering recruitment agencies in London charge?
What’s different about Sigma?
What are the best engineering recruitment agencies in London?
Sigma Recruitment stands out as one of the best for its 20+ years of specialist experience in manufacturing and engineering. We offer deep talent pools, a consultative partnership approach, and free market mapping to connect you with vetted London engineers quickly.
What types of engineering jobs are in high demand in London in 2025?
Demand is high for roles in automation, AI, and sustainable manufacturing, like process engineers and automation specialists. Sigma recruits for these in sectors like aerospace and pharmaceuticals, helping London firms fill vacancies amid a 20% talent shortage.
How to Successfully Recruit Engineers in London
A Step-by-Step Guide for Hiring Managers
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Align Stakeholders with a Kick-Off Meeting
Form an internal consensus. Ensure all key decision-makers agree on the salary range, benefits, responsibilities, and essential requirements before starting the search. -
Create a Comprehensive Job Information Pack
Compile a detailed pack including a job description, person specification, salary details, and an onboarding plan. This equips candidates with all the information they need. -
Write a Candidate-Centric Advert
Post an advert, not just a job description. Focus on what’s in it for the candidate. Highlight the benefits and opportunities to attract the best applicants. Keep the list of essential criteria concise. -
Act with Speed and Precision
The London engineering market is fast-paced. Move candidates through your interview process swiftly but without rushing to lose top talent to competitors. -
Partner with Specialist Engineering Recruiters
Engaging an engineering recruitment agency in London like Sigma gives you immediate access to deep talent pools and market intelligence, saving you significant time and resources.
About Engineering & Manufacturing in London
London’s dynamic economy supports salaries that are significantly above the UK average. While the city is known for finance, its industrial and engineering sectors are thriving, particularly in the outer regions. East London is a hub for engineering, while the M4 corridor to the west hosts a major cluster of aerospace, transport, and pharmaceutical giants like BAE Systems, GSK, and Johnson & Johnson. As a global economic centre, Greater London is also the headquarters for world-leading companies such as BP, Shell, and National Grid, making it a prime location for sourcing elite engineering talent.
About Sigma: Your Expert Engineering Headhunters in London
Since our founding in 2005, Sigma Recruitment has established an enviable reputation as a leading independent manufacturing and engineering recruitment specialist in London and the UK. We have successfully placed candidates in a diverse range of companies, from Fortune 500 corporations to innovative high-tech start-ups.
About The Author: Rhys Williams
This guide was written by Rhys Williams, the founder and Managing Director of Sigma Recruitment. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in engineering and manufacturing recruitment, Rhys established Sigma in 2005 to provide a specialist, high-quality service. His hands-on approach and deep industry knowledge have helped countless businesses build their high-performing technical teams. Connect with Rhys on LinkedIn.
Ready To Hire Top Engineering Talent in London?
Let us help you find the right people to drive your business forward. Contact us today to start the conversation.
- Call Rhys Williams: 02920 100 790
- Email: rhys@sigmarecruitment.co.uk
- Submit Your Vacancy Online
- Book a No-Obligation Call
Disclaimer: Nothing on this website is meant to imply that Sigma Recruitment Ltd has a physical recruitment agency office in London; we do have access to a wide range of engineering & manufacturing talent in London and are comfortable working with London manufacturing and engineering companies hiring for engineering jobs in London. Where we refer to Sigma Recruitment Agency and London or similar, we are confirming our capacity to find engineering candidates in London. Where we mention a company, it is for information purposes only and does not mean that we are working with, affiliated with or in any way connected to said company.

