Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer

JAM Recruitment Ltd; Caulcott; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

JAM Recruitment Ltd is seeking an interim Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer based at a Colworth Science Park facility in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire. The role runs for 6 months, full-time (37.5 hours/week) with the possibility of extension.

You will prototype and maintain equipment, support pilot plant machinery, and ensure safe, reliable operation. Qualified applicants will have hands-on fabrication skills, mechanical engineering background, and the ability to work alongside scientists in a

Qualifications

• Time served apprenticeship in mechanical engineering.
• Experience prototyping and maintenance in a manufacturing setting.
• Proficient with machining, fabrication and inspection.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture prototype mechanical components using CNC and manual tools.
• Verify parts against drawings with precision measuring instruments.
• Collaborate with designers and process engineers to create engineering solutions.
• Deliver one-off prototypes and machined parts to food-grade standards.
• Support Pilot Plant infrastructure and maintenance.
• Maintain safety and PUWER records.
• Mentor engineering apprentices.
• Ensure housekeeping and safety in Advanced Prototype Engineering Centre.

Skills

Practical engineering skills

Fault diagnosis

Hands‑on fabrication

Work with scientists

Education

Time served apprenticeship

Tools

CNC machine tools

TIG welding

Measuring instruments

Job description

This interim Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer role is based in Bedfordshire at a global FMCG client's Research & Development facility in Sharnbrook. Working full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, the contract runs six months with possible extension. Pay is £45,000 to £50,000 per annum, pro rata, dependent on experience. The successful candidate will build and maintain prototype equipment, support laboratory and pilot plant machinery, carry out planned and reactive maintenance, and ensure rigs operate safely and reliably. Practical engineering skills, fault diagnosis, hands‑on fabrication, and the ability to work alongside scientists are essential. Access is by car or shuttle bus from Bedford station.

Manpower are currently seeking an interim Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer, to work with our global FMCG client, renowned for brands such as Magnum, Ben andamp; Jerry''s, Cornetto and Wall''s, and become an integral part of their fast‑paced FMCG environment. The position is based at our client''s Research andamp; Development facility, at Colworth Science Park, in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire (MK44), accessible by car or shuttle bus from Bedford train station. It also houses our client''s global centre of excellence in safety and sustainability sciences. This is a full‑time temporary role to run for 6 months with possibility of extension, requiring 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Compensation for this role is competitive, paying up to £50,000 per annum, pro rata, depending upon experience.

The ice cream processing team at is looking for a temporary Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer to join the global innovation centre of the world''s largest ice cream company. This exciting role sits within an established team of multi‑skilled engineers and focuses on delivering prototype equipment and machinery for new ice cream product manufacturing through skilled machining and fabrication. The role also supports the day‑to‑day maintenance of a busy pilot plant producing prototype ice creams. It offers an excellent opportunity for a recently qualified apprentice to build new skills and knowledge, or for an experienced engineer seeking a new challenge in the innovative world of ice cream. The Prototyping and Maintenance Engineer will lead the fabrication and assembly of mechanical parts and components to support the implementation of new process technologies. This will involve close collaboration with designers, process development engineers, project teams and key external partners, including machinery, component, process technology and control system suppliers. The role also supports planned and reactive maintenance, as well as troubleshooting activities, within a highly utilised Pilot Plant. The role will encompass approximately 70% prototyping and 30% maintenance,

Main Accountabilities

• Manufacture prototype mechanical components, sub‑systems, nozzles and jigs using modern engineering machinery, manual and CNC machine tools, and TIG/spot welding equipment, working with stainless steel, food‑grade aluminum and plastics.
• Use precision measuring instruments to verify parts are manufactured accurately against drawings and specifications.
• Collaborate with designers, control engineers and process engineers to create practical engineering solutions.
• Work independently to deliver one‑off prototypes, assemblies and machined parts to food‑grade standards.
• Support and mentor current and future engineering apprentices.
• Support Pilot Plant infrastructure and processing equipment through planned and reactive maintenance, including pumps, homogenisers, mixers, heat exchangers, filling, forming and packing lines, and associated process ancillaries.
• Maintain machine safety documentation, including standard operating procedures, risk assessments and PUWER records, alongside accurate maintenance records in line with local legislation.
• Support housekeeping and safety standards in the Advanced Prototype Engineering Centre in collaboration with the SHEQ team.
• Experience Time served apprentice, with strong industry experience of mechanical engineering and prototyping.
• Mechanical engineering capability, including: machining

Experience Time served apprentice, with strong industry experience of mechanical engineering and prototyping Mechanical engineering capability, including: machining