Tooling Applications Engineer - CNC - Manufacturing
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:
How long are cutting tools lasting?
Why are particular tools wearing prematurely?
Could an alternative tool or specification perform better?
Can tool life be increased?
Can machine downtime be reduced?
Can productivity or component quality be improved?
What is the true cost per component?
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
Analyse cutting and abrasive tooling performance
Monitor and evaluate tool life and tool wear
Identify opportunities to improve machining and tooling processes
Plan, coordinate and document tooling trials
Work alongside CNC machining teams during testing and optimisation
Analyse trial and production data
Compare tooling products and specifications
Identify opportunities to reduce cost per component
Help reduce machine downtime and improve productivity
Investigate tooling and process-related problems
Support continuous improvement and cost-saving projects
Maintain accurate technical and trial documentation
Liaise with production, engineering, supply management and tooling suppliers
Present technical recommendations to relevant stakeholders
Support tooling regrinding and recoating initiatives where appropriate
Key Skills & Experience
.Experience within a CNC machining or manufacturing environment
A good practical understanding of machining processes
Engineering apprenticeship, HNC/HND, degree or equivalent technical background
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
An interest in tooling, machining and process optimisation
Good communication skills
Confidence working with machinists, engineers, suppliers and management
Strong attention to detail
A continuous-improvement mindset
The ability to work independently and develop new technical knowledge
Salary & Benefits
Salary up to £50,000, dependent on experience
Monday to Friday working
Specialist technical training and development
Opportunity to move away from purely operating/programming CNC machinery
Development into a specialist tooling applications career
Work within a major, technically advanced manufacturing environment
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.