Manufacturing Design Engineer (Jigs & Fixtures)

Gordon Murray; Windlesham; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Gordon Murray Automotive is seeking a Manufacturing Design Engineer – Jigs & Fixtures to lead the design and delivery of production tooling for its high-performance automotive programmes. Based at Windlesham, you will collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering, Production Technicians and Purchasing to create tooling that improves quality, ergonomics and cost efficiency.

You will own tooling projects from concept to handover, select materials, review designs, manage BoMs and engage suppliers.

Qualifications

• Engineering or manufacturing degree or equivalent industry experience.
• Proficient in CATIA V5 with 3D modelling and 2D drawing creation.
• Experience designing tooling for low-volume, high-performance automotive environments.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and BOM management.
• Experience supporting NPI programs in regulated industries.
• Knowledge of ISO drawing standards and engineering documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver production tooling, jigs and fixtures for vehicle assembly.
• Own tooling projects from concept through design, manufacture, commissioning and handover.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and external suppliers.
• Ensure tooling solutions are robust, safe, and cost-effective while driving improvements.
• Maintain CAD data, BoMs, tooling registers and facility planning information.
• Lead root cause investigations related to tooling and manufacturing issues.
• Support shop-floor activities and production readiness for current and future programmes.

Skills

CATIA V5 proficiency

Tooling design

GD&T

BoM management

3DEXPERIENCE PLM

DFMEA/PFMEA

Health & Safety awareness

Supplier management & budgeting

Communication skills

Shop-floor support

Education

Engineering or manufacturing degree

Tools

3DEXPERIENCE (PLM)

Job description

We are looking for a Manufacturing Design Engineer – Jigs & Fixtures to support the design, development and delivery of production tooling that enables the manufacture of high-quality vehicles across all Gordon Murray Automotive programmes. Working as part of our Manufacturing Engineering team, you will play a key role in defining and delivering innovative jigs, fixtures and tooling that maximise production efficiency while meeting GMA’s exacting standards for quality, cost, ergonomics and health & safety.

Working closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production Technicians, Purchasing, suppliers and the wider engineering team, you will own tooling projects from initial concept and feasibility through to design, manufacture, commissioning, implementation and handover. This is an excellent opportunity to develop and apply your engineering expertise within a fast-paced, low-volume, high-performance automotive environment, contributing directly to the delivery of some of the world's most exciting cars.

The Role

You will be responsible for designing and delivering production tooling, jigs and fixtures that support vehicle assembly operations across current and future GMA programmes. Working collaboratively across engineering and manufacturing, you will ensure tooling solutions are technically robust, commercially effective, safe and fit for purpose while driving continuous improvement throughout the manufacturing process.

Primarily based at Windlesham, the role will also provide ad hoc support to the Dunsfold framing facility as required.

This is your chance to:

• Collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering to define, develop and scope production tooling, jig and fixture requirements.
• Own tooling projects from concept and feasibility through design, manufacture, commissioning, implementation and final handover.
• Design robust and effective production tooling, jigs and fixtures that support high-quality vehicle assembly.
• Select appropriate engineering materials and manufacturing processes to optimise tooling performance, durability, lead time and cost.
• Conduct design reviews and manufacturing risk assessments for tooling concepts and installations.
• Ensure tooling designs comply with relevant engineering standards, quality requirements, ergonomic principles and Health & Safety regulations.
• Drive continuous improvement of existing tooling, jigs and fixtures to enhance quality, safety, ergonomics, efficiency, reliability and cost-effectiveness.
• Apply a hands-on and practical approach, supporting engineering and manufacturing activities across the business and on the shop floor when required.
• Liaise with Purchasing and external suppliers to obtain quotations, raise purchase requisitions and manage tooling expenditure.
• Clearly communicate tooling project status, programme risks, support requirements and progress against agreed timing and deliverables.
• Develop standardised tooling design practices, design guidelines and lessons learned to improve future vehicle programmes.
• Lead and support structured root cause investigations relating to tooling, assembly and manufacturing issues.
• Own and maintain Manufacturing CAD data, tooling layouts, Bills of Materials (BoMs), tooling registers and facility planning information.
• Manage tooling budgets and contribute to departmental budget planning, forecasting and cost tracking.
• Maintain and support departmental additive manufacturing equipment, including on-site 3D printers, where required.
• Support virtual build events, production readiness activities and manufacturing launch activities for current and future vehicle programmes.
• Identify opportunities to reduce external supplier dependency, cost and lead time, developing clear business cases for potential insourcing.
• Remain current with industry best practices, emerging engineering technologies and manufacturing processes.
• Contribute to the day-to-day operation of the Manufacturing Engineering function while supporting a culture of continuous improvement.
• Work collaboratively across engineering, manufacturing and business functions to deliver programme objectives within challenging timescales.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

You’ll be a technically capable, hands-on and commercially aware engineer who enjoys solving complex manufacturing challenges and turning concepts into practical production solutions. You'll have strong design expertise, excellent attention to detail and the ability to manage projects from initial concept through to implementation within a demanding automotive environment.

• Proficient in CATIA V5, including advanced parametric modelling and 2D drawing creation.
• Experience in tooling, jig and fixture design, ideally within a low-volume, high-performance automotive or similarly demanding environment.
• Strong understanding of vehicle assembly processes and vehicle architecture.
• Strong knowledge of GD&T and geometric tolerancing principles.
• Experience creating and managing Bills of Materials (BoMs).
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) programmes within the automotive or another highly regulated industry.
• Good knowledge of engineering materials, including composites, sheet metal and aluminium structures.
• Knowledge of ISO drawing standards and engineering documentation requirements.
• Experience using PLM systems, preferably 3DEXPERIENCE (3DX).
• Understanding of manufacturing risk assessment methodologies, including DFMEA and PFMEA.
• Strong Health & Safety awareness within a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to lead structured root cause investigations.
• Relevant engineering or manufacturing degree, or equivalent industry experience.
• OEM or Tier 1 automotive experience would be advantageous.
• Understanding of ergonomic design principles within a vehicle assembly environment would be beneficial.
• Experience designing tooling for low-volume or niche vehicle manufacture would be advantageous.
• Familiarity with additive manufacturing technologies and rapid prototyping processes would be beneficial.
• Commercial awareness, including experience with supplier quotations, budgeting and purchasing processes.
• Experience supporting virtual builds, production readiness reviews and manufacturing launch activities would be advantageous.
• Experience managing external suppliers and tooling procurement activities would be beneficial.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate technical information to a range of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, proactive and accountable, with the ability to take ownership of projects and manage competing priorities independently.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to deliver against challenging programme deadlines.
• A collaborative approach with the ability to build strong working relationships across engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and other business functions.
• A practical, hands-on mindset with a willingness to support shop-floor activities when required.
• A continuous improvement mindset, focused on improving quality, efficiency, ergonomics, manufacturing performance and cost.
• Commercially aware, with an understanding of how engineering decisions influence cost, timing, quality and programme delivery.
• Adaptable and resilient, able to thrive in a fast-paced, low-volume automotive environment.

Why This Role Matters

This is an opportunity to become an important part of the team responsible for turning engineering concepts into efficient, repeatable and high-quality manufacturing processes at Gordon Murray Automotive. As a Manufacturing Design Engineer – Jigs & Fixtures, you will design and deliver the tooling that enables our production teams to build some of the world's most advanced and exciting vehicles to the highest possible standards.

From developing innovative tooling concepts and managing projects through to supporting production, solving manufacturing issues and driving continuous improvement, your work will have a direct impact on vehicle quality, production efficiency, safety, programme timing and cost.

You’ll have the opportunity to work across the full tooling lifecycle, collaborate with highly skilled engineers and technicians, and see your designs move from CAD into real-world vehicle production. Your contribution will help shape the manufacturing capability behind future GMA programmes while developing your expertise within a unique, low-volume, high-performance automotive environment.