Manufacturing Engineer x2

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