Design Engineer

Design Engineer - Manufacturing & Tooling Barnsley Salary: £40,000 - £42,000 Monday to Thursday: 7:30am - 4:30pm Friday: 7:30am - 1:30pm An established and growing UK manufacturer is looking to recruit a Design Engineer to join its engineering team at a modern production facility in South Yorkshire. This is an excellent opportunity for a mechanically biased engineer with experience in jig and fixture design, manufacturing processes, and CAD systems.

You will play a key role in supporting production through the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of tooling, fixtures, and bespoke manufacturing equipment. Working within a fast-paced engineering environment, you will collaborate with design, production, and project teams to deliver robust, cost-effective solutions that improve quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.

Key Responsibilities Design and develop production jigs, fixtures, and bespoke manufacturing equipment. Lead tooling projects from concept through to manufacture, commissioning, validation, and implementation. Ensure tooling solutions consistently produce components to drawing specifications and quality standards. Support manufacturing teams by identifying and implementing process improvements. Produce detailed engineering drawings, 3D models, Bills of Materials (BOMs), and supporting technical documentation. Develop and maintain calibration, maintenance, and control procedures for production tooling.

Work closely with engineering and production stakeholders to resolve manufacturing challenges. Manage projects involving external suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring delivery against agreed targets. Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, productivity, and design for manufacture. Maintain accurate records and documentation relating to tooling modifications and development projects. About You Degree or HND qualification in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.

Strong 2D and 3D CAD experience (any modern CAD package considered). Previous experience designing and developing jigs, fixtures, and production tooling. Understanding of manufacturing and fabrication processes. Strong project management and problem-solving skills. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities. Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Desirable Experience

Experience with in some of the following manufacturing processes would be advantageous:
Laser, plasma, or waterjet cutting Presswork and cold forming CNC machining (milling and turning) EDM machining Surface and cylindrical grinding Automated and robotic welding Fabrication and welded assemblies Mechanical assembly operations Automated and semi-automated manufacturing environments Benefits Competitive salary Annual company bonus scheme 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, increasing with service Enhanced pension contribution scheme Life assurance Health cash plan Retail discount platform Cycle to work scheme Employee referral programme Free on-site parking Subsidised refreshments Long-term career progression opportunities within a successful manufacturing business If you're a Design Engineer looking to join a forward-thinking manufacturing organisation where you can make a real impact on production performance and continuous improvement, we'd love to hear from you.