Tooling Project Engineer in Rotherham

Tooling Project Engineer 

•  Sheffield (Hybrid) 
•  Initial 6-month contract
•  Outside IR35
•  Competitive rate

Our Client are seeking a proactive and technically capable Tooling Project Engineer to join their In-House Tooling Team.

This role is responsible for managing the full lifecycle of tooling projects, from initial requirement through delivery and implementation, ensuring tooling solutions are delivered safely, efficiently, and in line with business, quality, cost, and timing objectives.

The successful candidate will act as a technical authority for tooling activities, supporting multiple programmes whilst driving tooling innovation, continuous improvement, and the development of tooling standards and best practices.

Principal Accountabilities:

• As a Tooling Project Engineer your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
• Manage tooling projects throughout their lifecycle, ensuring delivery to agreed cost, quality, and timing targets.
• Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, schedules, and risk management activities.
• Assess tooling requirements and develop appropriate tooling strategies in collaboration with stakeholders and manufacturing teams.
• Determine and manage the most appropriate tooling delivery route, balancing internal capability, external suppliers, cost, timing, and technical requirements.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, procurement, programme management, and external suppliers to ensure successful project delivery.
• Act as a technical authority for tooling-related activities, providing guidance and support to stakeholders across the business.
• Identify, evaluate, and implement innovative tooling technologies and manufacturing improvements.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of tooling standards, specifications, processes, and best practices.
• Manage multiple tooling projects and priorities across a range of programmes and manufacturing activities.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• To be successful in this role, the Tooling Project Engineer should be proficient in the following:
• Strong understanding of composite tooling, tooling principles, and composite manufacturing processes.
• Experience delivering tooling projects within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing project cost, timing, risk, and stakeholder expectations.
• Experience working with external suppliers and outsourced tooling activities.
• Ability to develop practical tooling strategies that balance technical, commercial, and programme requirements.
• Understanding of engineering drawings, CAD models, and tooling design principles, with the ability to review and interrogate engineering data.
• Knowledge of tooling innovation, continuous improvement, and manufacturing process optimisation.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.

Qualification:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Composites Engineering, or a related discipline, or equivalent technical qualification and relevant industry experience.
• Minimum 2 years' experience within tooling, composites, manufacturing engineering, automotive, motorsport, aerospace, or a related industry.
• Experience delivering tooling projects from concept through implementation.
• Experience with composite tooling would be advantageous.

Personal Attributes / Competencies:

• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• Technically curious with a passion for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Commercially aware and capable of balancing competing business priorities.
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Adaptable and comfortable operating within a fast-paced environment.
• Proactive problem solver with a practical and solutions-focused mindset.