Manufacturing Engineer - Tooling

Orion Electrotech; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Maidenhead is seeking a Manufacturing Engineer with a strong background in CNC programming and tooling design. The role involves designing jigs and fixtures, creating manufacturing documentation, and developing CNC programs to aerospace standards. Candidates should have at least five years of experience and a solid understanding of materials and machining processes. This position offers a contract opportunity on-site for four days a week, with competitive rates between £40 and £60 per hour.

Qualifications

• 5 years in manufacturing engineering focused on CAD tooling design and CNC programming.
• Experience operating and maintaining CNC machines.
• Solid understanding of materials, tolerances, GD&T, DFM/DFA.

Responsibilities

• Design and engineer tooling from 3D CAD models.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation.
• Develop CNC programs for machining centres.

Skills

CNC programming & operation

CAD/CAM fluency

Tooling design

Aerospace manufacturing knowledge

Engineering drawings reading

Hands-on machining skills

Surface finishing awareness

Aerospace quality frameworks

Tools

SolidWorks

Hypermill

Edgecam

Job description

Job Details

Job Title: Manufacturing Engineer

Location: Maidenhead - 4 days on site

Engagement: Contract (PAYE/Umbrella), inside IR35

Rate: £40-60 per hour umbrella

We're looking for a hands on Manufacturing Engineer with deep tooling expertise to support jigs, fixtures, CAD design, and CNC manufacturing across both Production and NPI operations.

What you\'ll do as a Manufacturing Engineer

• Design & engineer tooling (jigs/fixtures) from 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, with clear build documentation.
• Apply GD&T to ensure precise tolerancing for low-volume, high-value aerospace components.
• Create and maintain manufacturing documentation (data cards, routings, SOPs, inspection docs).
• Develop, revise, and proof CNC programs for 3, 4 and 5-axis machining centres to aerospace standards.
• Own tooling records design files, maintenance logs, and change history.
• Continuously improve designs for performance, manufacturability, and cost.
• Partner with Quality, Engineering, and Production to ensure compliance with AS9100 and FAIR.
• Drive machining/assembly process improvements and machine parts to meet operational needs.
• Support external tooling/fixture suppliers as required.

What experience you\'ll bring to the role as a Manufacturing Engineer

• CNC programming & operation across 3/4/5axis machining.
• CAD/CAM fluency ideally SolidWorks plus Hypermill and/or Edgecam.
• Proven tooling design for assembly/test and production.
• Strong grasp of aerospace manufacturing, tooling design, and inspection methods.
• Confident reading engineering drawings, GD&T and technical specs.
• Handson with lathe/milling/drilling and working knowledge of aluminium, titanium, stainless steel, composites.
• Awareness of surface finishing (e.g., anodising, coatings).
• Familiarity with aerospace quality frameworks (FAIR, APQP, PPAP, AS9100).

Qualifications & experience for the Manufacturing Engineer role

• 5 years in manufacturing engineering with focus on CAD tooling design, CAM, and CNC programming/operation.
• Experience operating/maintaining CNC machines (e.g., Mazak, Haas).
• Solid understanding of materials, tolerances, GD&T, DFM/DFA.
• Exposure to CNC machining, injection/composite moulding, 3D printing is beneficial.
• Comfortable working with inprogress models/designs and making pragmatic definition choices.
• Able to balance stakeholder and supplier inputs to optimise cost and leadtime.

How to apply

If you\'re interested in this Manufacturing Engineer role please click \"apply\" or contact Orion in Reading today.

Due to the volume of applications we receive, unfortunately we are not able to respond to every application personally; therefore, if you have not heard back from us within 5 working days please assume your application has been unsuccessful. Thank you.