Tooling Engineer

Overview

Morgan Advanced Materials is a business rich in history and innovation. Founded in the UK in 1856, we have grown into a global organisation with 70 sites in 18 countries. Our model to serve our customers where they need us has led to a diversified product range using our unparalleled expertise in ceramic and carbon materials, which we exploit to solve difficult problems for our customers across a diverse range of markets.

We are a purpose driven organisation. Our purpose is to use advanced materials to make the world more sustainable and to improve the quality of life. We deliver on that purpose through the products that we make, and the way that we make them.

The Technical Ceramics business of Morgan Advanced Materials engineers high performance functional and structural ceramic materials, components and sub-assemblies to address customer-specific technical challenges.

Key Figures: Revenue £1,100.7m (2024), ~8,000 employees, manufacturing in 20+ countries, and a global customer portfolio. A UK PLC with head office located in Windsor, Berkshire UK. Listed on London Stock Exchange; Member of the FTSE 250 Index.

Overview

We are looking for a Tooling Engineer to join our Technical Ceramics business at Morgan Advanced Materials in Corby.

This is a new role and an excellent opportunity for an engineer with a strong tooling and manufacturing background to take responsibility for coordinating tooling projects and working closely with external toolmaking suppliers.

You will provide suppliers with technical requirements and information, manage tooling project timelines, and coordinate activities from initial concept and quotation through manufacture, validation and production approval. Working closely with Engineering, Production and Quality teams, you will also help resolve tooling-related manufacturing issues and identify improvements that reduce scrap, improve yield, optimise cycle times and control manufacturing costs.

The successful candidate will be a proactive and solutions-focused engineer with strong communication and project coordination skills, capable of building effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) activities relating to tooling and manufacturing processes.
• Prepare tooling quotations and cost estimates in response to customer RFQs and new business opportunities.
• Manage tooling projects from concept through design, manufacture, validation, and final approval.
• Maintain and manage the tooling database, ensuring accurate records of tooling specifications, revisions, maintenance requirements, and lifecycle status.
• Conduct regular toolmaker visits and manage external tooling suppliers to ensure delivery, quality, and performance expectations are achieved.
• Oversee tooling acceptance and sign-off processes before release into production.
• Develop, maintain, and publish quarterly Toolmaker Performance Scorecards.
• Work collaboratively with Production teams to identify tooling improvements that drive:
• Scrap reduction
• Yield improvement
• Cycle time reduction
• Manufacturing cost reduction
• Gross margin improvement
• Investigate tooling-related quality and process concerns, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Liaise directly with customers regarding tooling performance, tool life, shot counts, capability concerns, and process improvement opportunities.
• Create and manage Design Change Requests (DCRs) for both internal and customer-driven changes.
• Provide technical manufacturing support to Production, Shift Managers, and Section Leaders as required.
• Analyse CMM and process capability data to identify opportunities for product and process improvements.
• Lead and participate in root cause investigations using recognised problem-solving methodologies, including:
• 5 Why Analysis
• Ishikawa (Fishbone) Diagrams
• Corrective Action Reports (CARs)
• Preventative Action Reports (PARs)
• Support continuous improvement and quality initiatives using:
• PFMEA / FMEA
• SPC
• Gauge R&R
• Process Capability Studies
• Lean Manufacturing techniques
• Assist with training and knowledge transfer activities to support the development of engineering and production personnel.

Qualifications

Qualifications / Experience Required

• Recognised Engineering qualification such as BTEC, ONC, HNC, HND or Degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Tooling, Production Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Previous experience working with tooling within a manufacturing or engineering environment.
• Experience liaising with and managing external toolmakers, tooling suppliers or engineering subcontractors.
• Good understanding of tooling design, manufacture, maintenance and performance.
• Experience coordinating tooling projects, including managing supplier timelines, technical requirements and project deadlines.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and technical documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills, ideally including 5 Why and Ishikawa techniques.
• Experience working collaboratively with Production, Quality and Engineering teams to resolve manufacturing and tooling issues.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to work effectively with both suppliers and internal teams.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable:

• Injection moulding or Ceramic Injection Moulding (CIM) experience.
• Knowledge of CMM, PFMEA/FMEA, SPC, Gauge R&R and process capability.
• Exposure to APQP, PPAP and FAIR processes.
• Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma experience.
• ERP/MRP system experience.

Morgan Advanced Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Ind-1