Tooling Design Engineer

JAM Recruitment Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in the UK is seeking a Tooling Design Engineer for a contract role in Ampthill. The position offers £40-£50 per hour and emphasizes work-life balance with a 4-day work week. Responsibilities include designing tooling and managing documentation, while qualifications required include expertise in tooling design and strong CAD skills. This opportunity is ideal for someone passionate about contributing to defence engineering projects.

Benefits

Competitive pay

4-day working week

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Proven background in tooling design within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to apply GD&T and produce BS8888-compliant drawings.
• Practical experience with Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop tooling for production and experimental builds.
• Generate 3D CAD models and BS8888 technical drawings.
• Manage tooling documentation and change control in Windchill.

Skills

Tooling design expertise

3D CAD skills (CREO)

Document control (Windchill)

Knowledge of GD&T

Lean Manufacturing

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Tools

CREO

Windchill

Job description

Overview

Tooling Design Engineer – Ampthill (onsite 4 days per week)

6-Month Contract • £40-£50 per hour (umbrella, inside IR35) • Must be eligible for SC clearance

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Tooling Design Engineer to join a fast-paced defence engineering programme in Ampthill. This contract offers the chance to work on cutting-edge projects within the Missiles & Fire Control domain, supporting the full product lifecycle from prototype through to production.

You'll be part of a small, dynamic team working a 4-day week (Monday-Thursday), with a strong emphasis on work/life balance and flexible working arrangements.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop tooling, jigs, fixtures, prototype models, and machine attachments to support production and experimental builds.
• Generate 3D CAD models and BS8888 technical drawings using CREO.
• Manage tooling documentation, release, and change control in Windchill (PDM).
• Create Technical Requirement Specifications, BOMs, routings, and process instructions to aid manufacturing.
• Apply GD&T, DFM/A, PFMEA, and Lean principles to optimise manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Industrial & Production Engineering teams to ensure smooth production flow.
• Contribute to MDWT meetings and capital planning for tooling requirements.
• Support high-quality, cost-effective manufacturing solutions with a "right first time" approach.

What We're Looking For

• Proven background in tooling design within a manufacturing environment.
• Broad understanding of CNC machining, composites, fabrication, additive manufacturing, and mechanical assembly.
• Strong CAD skills (CREO) and document control expertise (Windchill).
• Knowledge of GD&T and ability to produce BS8888-compliant drawings.
• Practical experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and quality toolsets.
• Skilled in producing BOMs, routings, and manufacturing process documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders, enforce quality standards, and drive cultural/process change.
• Please note: Applicants must be eligible for SC clearance.

Why Apply?

• Competitive pay: £40 to £50 per hour (umbrella, inside IR35)
• 4-day working week - enjoy a long weekend every week
• Exciting opportunity to work on high-profile defence programmes
• Small, collaborative team environment with big impact on project outcomes

Note: Job title, location, and dates reflect the advertised contract; this listing may be time-bound.

Job Info

• Job Title:
• Company: JAM Recruitment Ltd
• Location: Luton, Bedfordshire
• Posted: Sep 24th 2025
• Closes: Oct 25th 2025
• Sector: Military, Emergency & Government
• Contract: Contract
• Hours: Full Time