Tooling Design Engineer

Tooling Design Engineer
Bedfordshire
Contract | On-site
4-day working week (Mon-Thurs) + flexible working
SC Clearance Required

About the Role
We're recruiting a Tooling Design Engineer to join a fast-paced Special Projects programme. This team operates at the heart of advanced defence and aerospace manufacturing, supporting complex products from early design through production and end-of-life.
You'll be part of a highly capable Operations Engineering team, providing tooling and manufacturing engineering expertise across prototype, development and full-rate production programmes. This is a hands-on engineering role with genuine influence on manufacturability, quality, and cost.
In return, we offer an exciting technical challenge, exposure to cutting edge defence programmes, and an excellent work/life balance built around a four day working week.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design and develop manufacturing tooling, jigs, fixtures and machine attachments for production and experimental use
• Support tooling solutions across NC machining, composite lay up and fabrication processes
• Take tooling designs from concept through detailed design to production release
• Create technical requirement specifications, detailed drawings and process instructions
• Produce manufacturing BOMs and routings to support efficient build
• Apply DFM/A and PFMEA principles to reduce cost and improve yield
• Actively contribute to Mission Directed Work Team (MDWT Level 1 & 2) meetings
• Support capital investment activities from definition through acceptance
• Work closely with Industrial Engineering, Production Engineering and Operations teams
• Drive a right first time quality mindset and continuous improvement culture

What We're Looking For
Essential Experience & Skills

• Background in tooling design within a manufacturing environment
• Broad manufacturing knowledge including CNC machining, composites, fabrication, mechanical assembly or additive manufacturing
• Strong CAD experience using CREO, producing 3D models and detailed technical drawings
• Experience managing data and change control using Windchill (or similar PDM tools)
• Ability to produce drawings to BS8888
• Solid understanding of GD&T, including datum structures and key characteristics
• Experience creating manufacturing instructions, BOMs and routings
• Ability to derive tooling requirements directly from product requirements

Desirable

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma tools
• Experience supporting production environments in regulated or safety critical industries

Key Personal Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Confident communicator who can influence stakeholders at all levels
• Collaborative team player with the ability to work across functions
• Independent thinker with the confidence to challenge on quality and customer requirements
• Proven experience driving process, behavioural or cultural improvement

Security Clearance

• SC clearance required to start
• Candidates must be eligible to hold UK security clearance

Why Join?

• 4 day working week (Mon-Thurs) supporting work/life balance
• Exposure to high profile, technically complex defence programmes
• Strong focus on engineering quality, innovation and continuous improvement
• Opportunities for career development and progression