Manufacturing Design Engineer

Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd; Denham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9% pension contribution

Life Assurance

Lunchtime finish on Friday

Personalised training and development

25 days' annual leave + bank holidays

Additional annual leave option

Occupational Health

Cycle to work

Job summary

Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd is seeking a Manufacturing Design Engineer to design tooling such as jigs, fixtures, gauges and cutters. You will create CAD models and drawings with GD&T, ensuring manufacturability, safety and cost targets are met.

You will collaborate with Manufacturing Engineers and production teams to solve complex challenges and optimise designs for manufacture, contributing to life-saving aerospace products from your Denham site.

Qualifications

• Degree in mechanical engineering with a 2:1 or equivalent.
• Strong CAD drawing and GD&T skills.
• Solid knowledge of machining, assembly, and modern manufacturing.
• Experience solving complex tooling or manufacturing problems.

Responsibilities

• Design tooling: jigs, fixtures, gauges, cutters, press and mould tools.
• Create/update CAD models, parts, assemblies and drawings with GD&T.
• Assess designs for safety, manufacturability, and cost.

Skills

CAD modelling

GD&T knowledge

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Communication

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (2:1)

Tools

Siemens NX

Visual Basic macros

Low-code automation

Job description

Join our Production Engineering team at Denham as a Manufacturing Design Engineer, creating the jigs, fixtures, gauges and specialist tooling that enable safe, efficient and high-quality manufacturing. You’ll work in a collaborative engineering environment, supporting production teams and development programmes while contributing directly to the manufacture of Martin-Baker’s life-saving ejection seat products.

Direct Impact, Global Scale. Life-Saving Mission.

At Martin-Baker, the work we do matters. We design, manufacture and support life-saving equipment used by aircrew around the world. Our products operate in demanding environments, where quality, reliability and attention to detail are critical.

We’re proud of our long history in aerospace and defence, also focused on the future. Joining Martin-Baker means becoming part of a business with a clear purpose, strong engineering capability and a long-term commitment to its people, products and customers.

Whether you work in engineering, operations, commercial, finance, supply chain or support functions, your contribution helps deliver equipment that protects lives. It is challenging work, but it is also meaningful, and with over 7,800 lives saved, it gives our people the opportunity to be part of something with real impact.

The Opportunity

As a Manufacturing Design Engineer, you’ll design a broad range of tooling, from jigs, fixtures, gauges and cutters to special-purpose machines, press and mould tools, castings, forgings and test equipment. You’ll create and update CAD models, assemblies and detailed engineering drawings, applying Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing to ensure tooling can be manufactured accurately and economically.

You’ll work closely with Manufacturing Engineers, production teams and development programmes to solve complex manufacturing challenges, support new product introduction and optimise designs for manufacture. You’ll assess designs against safety, regulatory, material, usability and manufacturability requirements while managing projects, stakeholders, timescales and budgets.

This role is based onsite at Denham.

What You’ll Do

• Design practical, commercially viable tooling, including jigs, fixtures, gauges, cutters, special-purpose equipment and press or mould tools.
• Create and update CAD models, detail parts, assemblies and accurate engineering drawings using GD&T.
• Assess designs for safety, compliance, manufacturability, materials, clarity, accuracy, end use and cost.
• Support new product introduction, design reviews, prototype manufacture and Manufacturing Readiness Level assessments.
• Provide technical support and problem-solving expertise to Manufacturing Engineers, production teams and operators.
• Manage tooling projects, stakeholders, budgets and delivery timescales, and produce technical documentation and standard ways of working.

What We’re Looking For

• A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant mechanical engineering discipline, with a minimum 2:1 bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Strong CAD modelling and drawing capability, with confidence interpreting engineering drawings and applying GD&T.
• Sound knowledge of machining, assembly, modern manufacturing techniques and Lean Manufacturing principles.
• Hands‑on experience using tools in an industrial setting and the ability to solve complex manufacturing or tooling problems.
• Strong attention to detail, clear written and verbal communication, and the ability to collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
• A proactive and accountable approach, with the initiative to improve ways of working and deliver to demanding timescales.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills; experience with Siemens NX, Visual Basic macros, low‑code automation or manufacturing equipment would be advantageous.
• Associate membership of a relevant professional engineering institution, such as IMechE, IET or the Royal Aeronautical Society, would be beneficial.
• Share and demonstrate the Martin‑Baker values.

Our Values

At Martin-Baker, we value professionalism, understanding, teamwork, humility, accountability and integrity. We look for people who take pride in their work, collaborate openly and act with care because the work we do matters.

What We Offer

• Excellent pension package with strong employer support — Martin-Baker contributes 9% of your salary (non-contributory to the employee), with further employer contributions that grow as you increase your own.
• Life Assurance.
• Lunchtime finish on a Friday.
• Personalised training and development plan.
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave.
• Occupational Health team.
• Cycle to work scheme.

We believe in equal opportunity, committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is respected. We want you to be able to do your best work.

Martin-Baker is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing our support and commitment to our Armed Forces and their families, proudly supporting those who serve.

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). For more information and guidance please visit https://martin-baker.com/security-vetting .

The role also involves access to information governed by U.S. Export Control Laws (including ITAR); therefore, all applicants must satisfy ITAR eligibility requirements.