Toolmaker: CNC/Moulding & Maintenance Specialist

First Base Employment Ltd; Stonehouse; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

Private medical insurance

Private dental insurance

Cycle to Work scheme

Health assessment service

On-site drinks

Job summary

First Base Employment Ltd in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, is seeking a Toolmaker to join a busy tool room team. You will maintain and repair injection mould tooling and set up and operate CNC mills, CNC lathes, grinders and other tool room machinery to ensure reliable, high-quality manufacturing.

The role offers a 39-hour week with rotating shifts (early and late), plus a 5% LIP and opportunities to support apprenticeship development. Strong machining, drawing-reading and IT skills are essential.

Qualifications

• An apprenticeship, vocational qualification or equivalent training in Toolmaking, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or a related discipline.
• Hands-on experience in a tool room, mould shop, manufacturing or engineering workshop.
• Experience maintaining, repairing and modifying injection mould tooling, including hardened steel production tools.
• Strong machining skills and the ability to produce high-tolerance work.
• CNC machining experience and knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of hot runner systems, valve gates and manifolds.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and work with 3D modelling software.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good IT skills and an organised approach to work.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and modify injection mould tooling, including hardened steel production tools.
• Manufacture and fit components for production jigs, fixtures and tooling using CNC and conventional tool room equipment.
• Set up and operate CNC mills, CNC lathes, grinders and other tool room machinery safely and efficiently.
• Inspect tooling and components using visual checks and measuring equipment to ensure required specifications and tolerances are met.
• Carry out preventative and reactive maintenance on tools, jigs and fixtures, and support preventative maintenance schedules.
• Support tooling and process improvements and provide day-to-day support to the Mould Shop.
• Maintain accurate maintenance, repair and compliance records, following relevant quality systems and documentation practices.
• Escalate quality-related issues when appropriate and maintain high standards of housekeeping and health and safety.
• Support apprentice development through training, coaching and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Machining skills

Problem solving

Reading drawings

Team player

Attention to detail

Education

Toolmaking apprenticeship

Tools

CNC Milling

CNC Lathes

Grinders

3D Modelling

Job description

First Base Employment Ltd in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, is seeking a Toolmaker to join a busy tool room team. You will maintain and repair injection mould tooling and set up and operate CNC mills, CNC lathes, grinders and other tool room machinery to ensure reliable, high-quality manufacturing.

The role offers a 39-hour week with rotating shifts (early and late), plus a 5% LIP and opportunities to support apprenticeship development. Strong machining, drawing-reading and IT skills are essential.