Job Details

Tooling Applications Engineer - CNC - Manufacturing

Location: Dagenham, Essex

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum, dependent on experience

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced CNC or machining professional who wants to use their technical knowledge away from a purely machine-based role and develop into tooling applications, process optimisation and continuous improvement.

Previous experience as a Tooling Applications Engineer is not essential. This is a specialist position and comprehensive training will be provided.

The Role

Working closely with CNC machining, production and supply management teams, you will analyse how cutting and abrasive tooling performs within the manufacturing process.

Rather than operating the machinery yourself, you will use your machining knowledge to investigate questions such as:

andmiddot; How long are cutting tools lasting?

andmiddot; Why are particular tools wearing prematurely?

andmiddot; Could an alternative tool or specification perform better?

andmiddot; Can tool life be increased?

andmiddot; Can machine downtime be reduced?

andmiddot; Can productivity or component quality be improved?

andmiddot; What is the true cost per component?

andmiddot; Could a more expensive tool actually deliver a lower overall manufacturing cost?

You will help plan and document controlled tooling trials, analyse the results and make technical recommendations based on performance, quality, productivity and cost.

Responsibilities

andmiddot; Analyse cutting and abrasive tooling performance

andmiddot; Monitor and evaluate tool life and tool wear

andmiddot; Identify opportunities to improve machining and tooling processes

andmiddot; Plan, coordinate and document tooling trials

andmiddot; Work alongside CNC machining teams during testing and optimisation

andmiddot; Analyse trial and production data

andmiddot; Compare tooling products and specifications

andmiddot; Identify opportunities to reduce cost per component

andmiddot; Help reduce machine downtime and improve productivity

andmiddot; Investigate tooling and process-related problems

andmiddot; Support continuous improvement and cost-saving projects

andmiddot; Maintain accurate technical and trial documentation

andmiddot; Liaise with production, engineering, supply management and tooling suppliers

andmiddot; Present technical recommendations to relevant stakeholders

andmiddot; Support tooling regrinding and recoating initiatives where appropriate

Key Skills & Experience

andmiddot; .Experience within a CNC machining or manufacturing environment

andmiddot; A good practical understanding of machining processes

andmiddot; Engineering apprenticeship, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent technical background

andmiddot; Strong problem-solving and analytical skills

andmiddot; An interest in tooling, machining and process optimisation

andmiddot; Good communication skills

andmiddot; Confidence working with machinists, engineers, suppliers and management

andmiddot; Strong attention to detail

andmiddot; A continuous-improvement mindset

andmiddot; The ability to work independently and develop new technical knowledge

Salary & Benefits

andmiddot; Salary up to £50,000, dependent on experience

andmiddot; Monday to Friday working

andmiddot; Specialist technical training and development

andmiddot; Opportunity to move away from purely operating/programming CNC machinery

andmiddot; Development into a specialist tooling applications career

andmiddot; Work within a major, technically advanced manufacturing environment

andmiddot; Long-term opportunity to develop expertise in tooling optimisation and manufacturing improvement

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who already understands CNC machining but wants to take that knowledge in a new direction, focusing on why processes perform as they do and how they can be made better, faster and more cost-effective.