THEO JAMES RECRUITMENT

Manufacturing Engineer

Forging, machining and tooling

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Cramlington, Northumberland

Employment Type: Full-time, permanent

The Company

Theo James Recruitment is supporting a manufacturing business in Cramlington with the appointment of two-Manufacturing Engineers. The business operates across forging, CNC machining and tooling, with Engineering, Production, Toolroom, Maintenance and Quality teams working closely together.

Job Description

This is a practical engineering role combining 3D CAD and tooling design with shop-floor problem solving. Reporting to the Engineering Manager, you will take ownership of improvements from initial investigation through design, manufacture, implementation, validation, documentation and standardisation.

• Develop and optimise manufacturing processes across forging, CNC machining and tooling to improve productivity, quality and efficiency.
• Investigate manufacturing problems, lead root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective and preventative actions.
• Support new product introduction, production trials, equipment commissioning, process validation and capability studies.
• Design and modify forging dies, tooling, fixtures, jigs and gauges using Autodesk Fusion 360, SolidWorks or equivalent 3D CAD software.
• Produce accurate 3D models and detailed manufacturing drawings, applying suitable tolerances, fits and material selection.
• Work with the Toolroom to manufacture, develop and prove tooling, improving tool life and reducing manufacturing costs.
• Support CNC turning, milling and multi-axis machining; improve machining strategies, cutting tool selection and cycle times.
• Resolve machining defects and dimensional issues, and develop processes for complex forged and machined components.
• Support Lean manufacturing and 5S initiatives to reduce scrap, rework, downtime and manufacturing inefficiencies.
• Produce and maintain manufacturing methods, work instructions, PFMEAs, Control Plans and standard operating procedures.
• Maintain drawing accuracy, revision control and engineering change records, working within IATF 16949 and relevant ISO management systems.
• Validate improvements and document trials and process changes before standardising successful solutions.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• HNC, HND or degree in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven manufacturing or production engineering experience and strong mechanical engineering knowledge.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Fusion 360, SolidWorks or equivalent professional 3D CAD software, including independent production of detailed drawings.
• Experience designing tooling, fixtures or mechanical components, with a sound understanding of tolerances, fits and manufacturing methods.
• Practical problem-solving skills and experience delivering engineering improvements from concept to completion.
• Strong technical documentation, communication and attention to detail.
• A proactive approach to shop-floor work, confidence challenging existing processes and the ability to manage competing priorities independently.

Desirable

• Hot forging, forging die design, toolroom operations or tooling manufacture.
• CNC turning, milling and 5-axis machining; heat treatment and hardened steel machining.
• Automotive manufacturing, IATF 16949, process simulation, Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement.
• Industrial automation and robotic manufacturing systems.

Why Should You Apply?

• A permanent role combining design work with practical manufacturing engineering.
• Ownership of tooling and process improvements through to implementation and validation.
• Exposure to forging, machining and tooling, working across several engineering and production teams.