CAD Composite Tooling Engineer

Sunseeker International Ltd; Poole; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private medical insurance

Dental insurance

Annual leave increases

Employee assistance program (EAP)

Mental Health First Aiders

Death in service

Employee discounts

Job summary

Sunseeker International Ltd seeks an experienced CAD Composite Tooling Engineer to join our Development team. You will design and deliver high‑quality tooling solutions for luxury performance yachts, collaborating with Design, Production, Quality and Supply Chain to bring complex composite structures from concept to production.

You will manage tooling projects, develop 3D CAD models, and apply GD&T while ensuring manufacturability and continuous improvement across our shipyards in Poole.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Composite Engineering.
• 5+ years in composite tooling design/manufacture in production.
• Advanced CAD experience on major software packages.
• Knowledge of composite processes and tooling techniques.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop composite production moulds, plugs and fixtures.
• Create complex 3D CAD models and tooling surface data.
• Develop production-ready tooling solutions to improve performance.
• Apply GD&T principles to tooling drawings and models.
• Conduct tooling design reviews, risk assessments and validation activities.
• Support manufacturing with technical expertise across composite processes.

Skills

Project management

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

Siemens NX

CATIA

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Creo

Job description

About Sunseeker International

Sunseeker was founded on a bold vision: to create a new kind of yacht and redefine what was possible on the water. From our earliest designs in 1967, we’ve pushed boundaries and reshaped the motor yacht industry through innovation, craftsmanship and relentless ambition.

At the heart of every Sunseeker lies a legacy of expert hands and meticulous attention to detail, skills refined and passed down through generations. These are the qualities that set our yachts apart - and the qualities that continue to drive our craft today.

In a world increasingly defined by automation, we remain committed to building hand‑finished, hand‑finished boats. With over 1,800 talented team members across our busy shipyards - from long‑serving specialists to more than 180 apprentices - our Sunseeker workforce reflects the strength, diversity and pride of our local community. It’s this blend of heritage, skill and passion that makes our shipyards unlike any other place in the world.

Who We Are Seeking

At Sunseeker International, we are looking for an experienced and innovative CAD Composite Tooling Engineer to join our Development team. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled engineering professional with a strong background in composite tooling design and advanced CAD modelling to play a key role in the development of world‑class luxury performance yachts.

We are seeking someone who combines technical expertise with a practical manufacturing mindset, capable of delivering high‑quality tooling solutions that support production efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement. You will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with Design, Production, Quality and Supply Chain teams to bring complex composite structures from concept through to production.

A Day in the Life

No two days are the same in this challenging and rewarding role. One day you may be developing detailed 3D CAD models and tooling surfaces for a major new yacht programme, while the next you could be working alongside manufacturing teams to validate tooling, resolve production issues, or identify opportunities for process improvement.

You will manage tooling projects throughout their lifecycle, liaising with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external tooling partners to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the highest quality standards. Your expertise will directly influence the manufacturability, accuracy and efficiency of composite component production across the business.

Example Responsibilities Include

• Designing and developing composite production moulds, plugs, patterns, jigs, fixtures and trimming tools.
• Creating complex 3D CAD models, manufacturing drawings and tooling surface data.
• Developing production‑ready tooling solutions that optimise manufacturing performance and quality.
• Applying GD&T principles to tooling and engineering drawings.
• Conducting tooling design reviews, risk assessments and validation activities.
• Supporting manufacturing teams with technical expertise across composite processes including hand lay‑up, vacuum bagging, resin infusion, prepreg and RTM technologies.
• Managing CAD data, revision control and engineering change processes.
• Producing manufacturing documentation and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Supporting root cause investigations, corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Managing tooling projects from concept through manufacture and production handover.
• Collaborating with Design, Production, Quality and Supply Chain teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) activities and production readiness reviews.

To Be Considered for This Role You Should Have

• A Degree, HNC/HND or equivalent qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Composite Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or Product Design Engineering.
• A minimum of five years' experience in composite tooling design and manufacture within a production environment.
• Advanced CAD experience using software such as Siemens NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor or Creo.
• Strong knowledge of composite manufacturing processes and tooling techniques.
• Experience designing female and male moulds, master models, plugs, patterns, assembly fixtures, bonding jigs and inspection fixtures.
• A solid understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM) and Design for Assembly (DFA) principles.
• Knowledge of CNC machining requirements, GD&T and dimensional control techniques.
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication and project management skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail.
• Experience within marine, aerospace, automotive or defence composite environments would be advantageous, as would knowledge of FEA, metrology systems, PLM/PDM systems and automated composite manufacturing technologies.

Sunseeker employees benefit from

With 7 miles of golden sandy beaches, flanked on both sides by the New Forest National Park and the Jurassic Coast line, working in Poole for a genuinely premiere international brand offers an enviable opportunity to truly live the dream. All the usual benefits you would expect from a sophisticated manufacturing organisation are available, including:

• A generous company pension scheme - 6% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance, including baby bonus and Digital GP (after 2 years)
• Dental insurance (after 2 years)
• Annual leave increases with continued service
• Health Assured EAP
• Trained Mental Health First Aiders
• Death in service scheme (£)
• Employee discounts with a wide range of third party businesses (up to 30% off) including Perkbox