Project Design Engineer

Dash-CAE; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Abingdon seeks an experienced Engineer focused on composite tooling and vehicle engineering. The role involves leading design and development of composite solutions, optimising manufacturing processes, and providing technical oversight during production. Candidates should have a degree in a relevant field and a strong background in automotive, motorsport, or aerospace industries. This role offers opportunities for career development and involvement in cutting-edge projects.

Benefits

Involvement in cutting-edge engineering projects

Career development opportunities

Technical leadership opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven track record in manufacture and tooling design within relevant industries.
• Hands-on problem-solving ability to troubleshoot manufacturing issues.
• Good working knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and inspection techniques.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of composite tooling.
• Oversee manufacturing processes with traditional and progressive technologies.
• Provide technical oversight during prototype builds.

Skills

Composite materials processing

Manufacturing process optimisation

Engineering analysis

Leadership skills

Education

Degree in Mechanical, Automotive, Motorsport, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

CAD (CATIA preferred)

Job description

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Engineer with strong expertise in composite tooling, composites manufacture and vehicle engineering. The role focuses on leading the development, design, and delivery of high-performance composite solutions, from tooling and manufacturing methods through to finished components. The successful candidate will combine in-depth technical knowledge with practical manufacturing experience to ensure reliable, repeatable, and cost-effective delivery of parts and systems to satisfy our customers’ requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, specification, and development of composite tooling to support efficient, high-quality manufacturing.
• Oversee and optimise manufacturing processes using a mixture of traditional and progressive technologies.
• Drive DFM (Design for Manufacture) into the engineering processes to ensure components can be produced consistently and efficiently.
• Provide technical oversight during prototype builds and production runs, resolving issues and implementing improvements.
• Support the introduction of new materials, processes, and technologies to improve performance and reduce cost/lead times.
• Collaborate with design, quality, and production teams to deliver components that meet demanding structural and aesthetic requirements.
• Conduct engineering analysis to validate structural integrity, process feasibility, and material performance.
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and technicians in engineering practices.
• Prepare documentation, specifications, and reports to support project delivery and manufacturing standards.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical, Automotive, Motorsport, Aerospace, or Manufacturing Engineering.
• Proven track record in manufacture and tooling design, ideally within automotive, motorsport, or aerospace industries.
• Strong understanding of composite materials (prepregs, resins, cores, adhesives) and their processing requirements.
• Experience with CAD (CATIA preferable) for component and tooling design.
• Good working knowledge of manufacturing quality systems and inspection techniques.
• Hands-on approach to problem solving, with the ability to troubleshoot manufacturing issues quickly and effectively.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, able to influence and collaborate across teams.

Desirable Skills

• Experience managing supplier relationships and outsourced composite manufacturing.
• Understanding of lightweight structures and performance‑critical applications in vehicles.
• Project or team leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.

What We Offer

• Involvement in cutting‑edge vehicle and composite engineering projects.
• Opportunities to shape and improve composite manufacturing processes.
• Career development and technical leadership opportunities within a growing engineering team.