Automotive Design & Production Engineer — NPI & Prototyping

Impact Recruitment; Daventry; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Impact Recruitment is assisting a client with recruiting an experienced Design & Production Engineer for a permanent role in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The role involves turning ideas into precision-engineered automotive systems, collaborating with production, quality, and suppliers to ensure design feasibility and efficient manufacture.

You will work on CAD concepts, participate in FMEA and feasibility reviews, and manage prototype builds while maintaining CAD data integrity and contributing

Qualifications

• A degree or relevant technical engineering experience.
• Experience with 3D modelling and 2D drawings.
• Strong knowledge of production processes, tooling design and DFM principles.
• Background in new product introduction (NPI) and process development.
• Hands-on, proactive engineer with cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Generate and develop CAD concepts using CATIA V5 (surface, solid, and 2D).
• Provide early design and manufacturing input to assess feasibility, cost, and capability, coordinating with internal teams and suppliers.
• Lead and support Design FMEA and Manufacturing Feasibility Reviews to identify and mitigate potential risks early.
• Present design proposals and technical solutions at internal gateway and design review meetings.
• Create detailed CAD models and drawings for prototype manufacture and customer approval.
• Design and commission tools, jigs, and fixtures for prototype and production use.
• Plan and manage prototype builds, coordinating internal teams, suppliers, tooling, and manufacturing activities.
• Maintain CAD data accuracy and configuration control throughout development.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of design standards, CAD practices, and manufacturing methods.

Skills

CAD modelling

CATIA V5

3D modelling

2D drawings

NPI

DFM - design for manufacture

Problem solving

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

CATIA V5

Job description

Impact Recruitment is assisting a client with recruiting an experienced Design & Production Engineer for a permanent role in Daventry, Northamptonshire. The role involves turning ideas into precision-engineered automotive systems, collaborating with production, quality, and suppliers to ensure design feasibility and efficient manufacture.

You will work on CAD concepts, participate in FMEA and feasibility reviews, and manage prototype builds while maintaining CAD data integrity and contributing