Toolmaker

Engineering @ 365 are recruiting on behalf of our client, a well-established precision manufacturer based in the West Midlands. Our client produces precision metal components for customers across the automotive, aerospace, defence and industrial sectors, and holds industry-recognised quality accreditations.

Their Tool Room is the heartbeat of the business. They run a large number of active tools across a substantial press estate and have invested significantly in in-house tooling capability, including precision wire erosion equipment.

The Role

This is a hands-on, skilled trade role in a busy, well-equipped tool room at the centre of a growing precision manufacturer. You'll build, maintain, repair and improve the press tools that go on a range of press platforms.

What You'll Be Doing

• Building new press tools from approved drawings and specifications — working to tight tolerances, using conventional and CNC machining, grinding and EDM/wire erosion equipment
• Maintaining the active tool estate — carrying out planned maintenance, wear assessment, refurbishment and rebuild work to keep a large tool estate performing to standard
• Supporting press-side breakdown activity — attending machine-side when tooling issues arise, diagnosing faults and returning tools to service quickly and correctly
• Commissioning new tools through first-off trials and supporting PPAP and first article inspection submissions
• Operating wire erosion equipment and other precision machining equipment to the standard the work demands
• Working to engineering drawings, tool specifications and inspection standards without close supervision — managing your own workload and communicating progress clearly to the Tool Room Manager
• Supporting and mentoring apprentice tool makers, sharing your knowledge and setting a high standard

What You'll Need

Essential

• Time-served tool maker — recognised apprenticeship or equivalent trade qualification in tool making, tooling engineering or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrable experience in press tool making — building, fitting and maintaining progressive, blanking, forming or compound tools
• Competent on conventional machining — milling, turning, surface grinding, jig boring — and able to work to the tolerances precision press tooling demands
• Able to read and work from engineering drawings, tool specifications and inspection plans without assistance
• Self-managing, accurate and reliable — able to prioritise your own workload and work without close supervision for the majority of the day
• Clear communicator — able to give a straight answer on tool status and return-to-service timelines

Desirable

• Wire erosion / EDM experience — spark erosion or wire cutting on press tooling applications
• CNC machining centre experience — setting and operating CNC milling or turning to produce tooling components
• Experience with high-speed progression, multi-slide or blanking press platforms and the tooling they run
• PPAP and first article inspection experience — familiar with the documentation requirements and the process of getting a new tool approved
• Experience mentoring or supporting apprentice tool makers

What's On Offer

• Permanent, full-time role in a stable, growing business with genuine craft heritage and a tool room that is invested in and valued
• Access to modern, well-maintained tooling equipment, including precision wire erosion capability
• A team environment where your skill is respected and your development is supported
• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience
• Benefits including pension, holiday entitlement and overtime arrangements