R&D Technician (Sheet Metal)

Luton Bennett; Preston; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

25 Days Holiday

8 Bank Holidays

Additional Leave Purchase Scheme

Tea/Coffee

Parking

Healthcare Scheme

Death in Service Scheme

Job summary

Luton Bennett in Preston is seeking an hands-on R&D Technician (Sheet Metal) to join a three-person workshop within the wider R&D department. You will oversee cradle-to-grave tooling manufacture, modification, and provide feedback in design reviews.

Responsibilities include turning new concepts into prototypes and tooling, manufacturing tooling to produce samples, and collaborating with other departments to shape smarter, tool-friendly designs.

Qualifications

• Experience making complex sheet metal products/tooling.
• Welding and sheet metal forming skills.
• Ability to interpret and build from detailed drawings.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure new product concepts are efficiently converted into prototypes and tooling.
• Cradle to Grave – manufacture the tooling and use it to produce samples.
• Work in a three-person workshop team and input to design reviews.
• Tool manufacture and development, product verification and testing.
• Collaborate with other departments to improve designs.

Skills

Welding

Sheet metal forming

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Interpret drawings

Job description

R&D Technician (Sheet Metal)

Preston

• £40,000
• Pension
• 25 Days Holiday
• 8 Bank Holidays
• Additional Leave Purchase Scheme
• Tea/Coffee
• Parking
• Healthcare Scheme
• Death in Service Scheme

Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm & 4.30pm Finish Friday

R&D Technician required for a reputable and leading manufacturer operating in over 60 countries.

Working in a three-person workshop team within the wider R&D department, you will be responsible for making bespoke tooling and will oversee the process from cradle to grave, including manufacture, modification, and providing feedback in design reviews. This is a hands-on problem-solving role working in an experienced team where you will add value and help shape R&D towards smarter, more tool-friendly designs.

The R&D Technician Role:

• Ensure new product concepts are efficiently and reliably converted into prototypes and tooling
• Cradle to Grave – manufacture the tooling and use it to produce samples
• Working in a three-person workshop team
• Input to Design Reviews
• Tool Manufacture & Development
• Product verification and testing
• Working closely with other departments

The R&D Technician Required:

• Experience making complex sheet metal products/tooling
• Welding and sheet metal forming skills
• Strong analytical & problem-solving skills
• Able to interpret and build from detailed drawings
• Excellent communication skills