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 a Manufacturing Engineer. 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.
