Tooling Engineer

ICOMAT; Swindon; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Pension scheme

Stock options

Job summary

iCOMAT is seeking a skilled Composites Tooling Engineer to design, develop and maintain tooling systems for composite production. You will collaborate with design, production and QA to optimise tooling performance and cost‑efficiency.

The ideal candidate has hands-on tooling experience in composites, CAD proficiency (SolidWorks/CATIA/NX) and familiarity with GD&T and CNC fixtures. Join our scale‑up and work across aerospace, automotive, and space applications.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or related field; hands-on experience valued
• Strong understanding of composites and tooling for lay-up, curing, machining
• Certifications in composite materials/manufacturing are desirable
• 3–5 years of tooling design and development experience in a composite manufacturing environment

Responsibilities

• Create tooling models from component CAD to provide patterns, moulds, jigs/fixtures to optimize production times, yield and accuracy
• Interrogate CAD models for undercuts or draft angles
• Calculate thermal expansion rates and cure points of materials used
• Pocket tooling for airflow or weight savings without collapse under pressure
• Explain and share concepts with stakeholders to ensure requirements are met
• Create manufacturing drawings for in-house tooling
• Support New Product Introduction with tooling strategy
• Collaborate with tooling vendors to meet quality and performance standards
• Provide material and labour cost inputs for quotations

Skills

Tooling design & development

Composites knowledge

CAD software (SolidWorks, CATIA, NX)

Engineering analysis (ANSYS)

Project management

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

Siemens NX

ANSYS

Job description

Join ICOMAT – Revolutionising the Future of Lightweight Manufacturing!

iCOMAT is an advanced manufacturing company that invented Rapid Tow Shearing (RTS) - the only proven technology for producing defect-free curved-fiber composite parts at industrial scale. We deliver the lightest structures possible for aerospace, automotive, defense, and space, at a rate and cost efficiency that far exceeds existing composite production processes.

We build and operate automated factories for composite materials, delivering components to Tier 1 suppliers and OEMs. The business has three main divisions: development of automated production machines, development of software design and production tools, and operation of the factory. We work with 25+ customers and completed the largest ever Series A in composites manufacturing to fuel a significant scale-up, with growth plans that will see the business multiply in size over the next two to three years and expand operations into the UK, Europe and the US.

The business has currently more than 130,000 sqm of production capacity with manufacturing facilities in the UK (Gloucester and Swindon) and the US (Dayton, Ohio); a Hardware R&D Centre in Bristol, UK; and a Software R&D Centre in Athens, Greece.

As we scale and grow, we’re looking for talented individuals to help us continue driving this transformation. If you're ready to be part of a pioneering team that’s reshaping industries and pushing the boundaries of technology, we want to hear from you!

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Composites Tooling Engineer to work along our dynamic team of Manufacturing Engineers. As a Composites Tooling Engineer at iCOMAT, you will play a crucial role in the design, development, and maintenance of tooling systems used in the production of composite materials. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including design, production, and quality assurance, to ensure that tooling solutions are optimized for performance, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Your expertise in composites and tooling will support our mission to deliver cutting-edge solutions to our clients. The ideal candidate will have technical expertise in tooling design and manufacture for composite materials and a deep understanding of manufacturing principles, along with a passion for innovation.

What will you be doing?

• Create Tooling Models from Component CAD to provide Design for Patterns, Moulds, Jigs / Fixtures to optimise Production times, Yield and accuracy
• Interrogate CAD models for undercuts / draft angles
• Calculate thermal expansion rates / cure points of materials used to produce accurate components.
• Understanding of how to “pocket” Tooling for airflow or weight saving without them collapsing under pressure.
• Capacity to explain and share design concepts with Stakeholders to ensure requirements are covered.
• Create manufacturing drawings for in-house tool manufacturing
• Act as a subject matter expert on tooling strategy to support New product introduction activities
• Work closely with tooling vendors to ensure the manufacturing tooling meets quality and performance standards.
• Provide assistance in the Quotation process by providing material, labour (design time) costs to the Sales Manager (or PM).

What do we need from you?

• We appreciate relevant engineering qualifications (Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.) but we equally value practical hands‑on experience.
• Understanding of Composites is essential.
• Relevant certifications in composite materials or manufacturing processes are highly desirable.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in tooling design and development.

Within a composite manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated expertise in working with composite materials, including carbon fibre, glass fibre, and resins.
• Strong understanding of composite manufacturing processes, including lay‑up, curing, and machining.
• Experience of Patterns, Epoxy Tooling (for Autoclave), Press Tooling and CNC Fixtures.
• Proficient in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, Siemens NX, etc.) and engineering analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS).
• Excellent problem‑solving skills and attention to detail, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing issues.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to work collaboratively in a team‑oriented environment.
• Familiarity with CNC machining and other advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Understanding of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) and its application in composite tooling.

Why iCOMAT?

• Competitive Salary & Benefits: We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including private healthcare, pension scheme.
• Stock Options: Equity options to give employees a stake in the company’s success
• Career Growth Opportunities: Join us at a pivotal time as we scale up, offering unmatched professional growth opportunities in the rapidly advancing field of composite materials.
• Innovation-Focused Culture: We pride ourselves on our inclusive, forward-thinking work environment. Recognized by Bloomberg as a "UK Startup to Watch", iCOMAT celebrates diversity and encourages all applicants, regardless of background, to apply.
• Global Impact: Be a part of our mission to redefine lightweight structures for the automotive, aerospace, and space industries, working with some of the most influential companies worldwide. Ready to be part of something big?