Senior Tooling Engineer

Job TitleSenior Tooling EngineerLocationSheffieldWhat to ExpectAs a Senior Tooling Engineer, you will lead a newly created composites tooling department within a fast-paced automotive manufacturing environment. You will be responsible not only for guiding a team of tooling engineers and technicians, but also for establishing the processes, standards, and workflows that will integrate this new function into the existing business. You will act as the technical authority for composite tooling, ensuring high levels of quality, manufacturability, and operational efficiency. Expect to collaborate closely with design, production, quality, and programme teams to deliver innovative tooling solutions that support advanced composite components and high-volume automotive production. Extensive experience in composite tooling engineering within automotive, motorsport, aerospace, or a similar high-performance environment. Proven leadership experience, ideally including setting up or scaling a new department, team, or function. Strong understanding of composite materials, lay-up techniques, curing processes, and manufacturing technologies. High proficiency with CAD tools (e.g., CATIA, Siemens NX, SolidWorks) and familiarity with PLM/PDM systems. Demonstrated ability to provide DFM guidance and develop robust, production-ready tooling solutions. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with root-cause analysis and continuous improvement. Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, especially when integrating new processes across an established organisation. Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently in a fast-moving manufacturing environment. A proactive mindset with a commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.