Toolmaker / Mechanical Engineer - Rotherwas

Techtest Limited; Hereford; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free refreshments

Opportunity for company bonuses

Cost of living reviews annually

Long service holiday accrual scheme

Life Insurance Scheme – 3x annual

Job summary

HR Smith Group of Companies, based at our R&D facility in Rotherwas, is seeking a Toolmaker / Mechanical Engineer. This is a hands-on role where you design, machine, assemble and prove tooling and fixtures, not purely CAD work.

You will work with CNC equipment, lathes, mills, and 3D printing, producing first-off prototypes and validating designs in the workshop. Close collaboration with R&D, Production and Test teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Experienced toolmakers and machinists with hands-on manufacturing background.
• Ability to take ideas from design to finished working components.
• Experience with tooling, fixtures and prototype development.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and manufacture production and test tooling, jigs and fixtures.
• Use manual milling machines and lathes; CNC, 3D printing where appropriate.
• Produce first-off prototypes and validate designs in workshop.
• Maintain engineering drawings, BOMs, CAD files and documentation.
• Collaborate with R&D, Production and Test to solve manufacturing challenges.
• Maintain and improve tooling and fixtures; support small-batch builds.

Skills

Toolmaker

Precision machinist

Jig & fixture engineer

Prototype engineer

Mechanical engineer

Tools

CNC equipment

3D printing

Manual milling

Lathe

Job description

Toolmaker / Mechanical Engineer - Rotherwas

If you are looking for a new challenge with a global market leader which designs and manufactures aerospace search and rescue equipment, HR Smith Group of Companies is the one for you. We have over 5 decades of experience and are dedicated to finding the perfect solutions for our customers. Working for us, you will have the opportunity to be part of a fully integrated multidisciplinary business.

Based at our R&D facility at Rotherwas, an opportunity has arisen for a TOOLMAKER / MECHANICAL ENGINEER

This is a practical engineering role: you will design, machine, assemble and prove your own tooling and fixtures. It is not a CAD-only or office-based design position.

Who we are looking for:

We welcome applications from experienced toolmakers, precision machinists, jig and fixture engineers, prototype engineers and mechanical engineers with a strong hands‑on manufacturing background. You should enjoy taking an idea from initial design through to a finished, working component or fixture.

Key responsibilities

• Design, develop and manufacture production and test tooling, jigs and fixtures.
• Use manual milling machines and lathes to produce precision components; use CNC equipment, 3D printing and other methods where appropriate.
• Produce first-off prototypes, assemble tooling and validate designs in the workshop.
• Prepare and maintain engineering drawings, bills of materials, CAD files and supporting documentation.
• Develop practical solutions to production, assembly and test challenges in collaboration with R&D, Production and Test teams.
• Maintain, modify and improve existing tooling and fixtures, and help with small‑batch or prototype builds.
• Help maintain a safe, tidy and effective workshop, machines and tooling.

We have a positive, professional, and welcoming environment; you will have the opportunity to work within a fully integrated multidisciplinary business. We offer good job security and stability with career development opportunities for the right candidate.

• Free refreshments (tea and coffee).
• Opportunity for company bonuses.
• Cost of living reviews carried out annually by the Directors.
• Long service holiday accrual scheme where you gain 1 extra holiday day per year from 5-10 years’ service up to a maximum of 26 days.
• Life Insurance Scheme – 3x annual salary.

• Hours are based on a 40-hour week, Monday to Friday 7:45am to 4.15pm with half an hour each day for lunch. No weekend, evening, or bank holiday working.
• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Free internal training provided as required.
• Opportunities to progress, promote internally and up skill.
• Due to the nature of the business being a manufacturing environment, working from home arrangements are not available.