Design Engineer – Greater Manchester (Precision Castings & Engineering)

About our client

Our client is a UK-based, family-owned metal manufacturing specialist located in Manchester. They offer end-to-end solutions including investment casting, die casting, forging, metal injection moulding (MIM), machining, rapid prototyping, heat treatment, surface finishing, and full QA/inspection services. The company serves critical markets such as aerospace, oil & gas, medical, rail and defence, and is ISO 9001-accredited with advanced in-house CAD engineering and simulation capabilities.

Job Summary

As a Design Engineer at our client, you will play a key role in bridging customer design intent with production reality. You’ll engage in CAD development, casting simulation, design for manufacture, tooling specification, and close cross-functional collaboration to support both prototype and high-volume projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and refine CAD models and engineering drawings for metallic cast components, including design for investment casting and machining stages.
• Run casting simulation and analysis using in-house tools to predict defect risks, pouring systems, and tolerances.
• Work alongside production, prototyping, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to ensure designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, and meet strict industry standards (e.g., aerospace, oil & gas).
• Develop first-article prototypes and iteratively optimise designs based on feedback and inspection results.
• Generate tooling and gating layouts and liaise with internal or external toolmakers on part tooling design.
• Create and maintain accurate technical documentation, including design specifications, ISIR reports, control plans, and tolerance analyses.
• Provide engineering support during production setup, inspection, heat treatment, finishing, and assembly phases.
• Attend client-facing meetings to understand requirements, provide technical guidance and present engineered solutions.
• Stay abreast of materials, casting methods (precision, die, MIM), design trends, and regulatory requirements in key sectors.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance quality, reduce scrap and improve cycle time.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Product, or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• Proficient in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, Creo, NX, or equivalent).
• Experience in casting or design for manufacturing of metallic components, ideally in investment casting or machining environments.
• Strong understanding of engineering tolerancing, GD&T, surface finish requirements, and inspection standards.
• Ability to interpret and author detailed technical drawings (2D and 3D).
• Good knowledge of materials used in casting: stainless steels, carbon steels, aluminium, cobalt/nickel alloys, etc.
• Familiarity with casting simulation or process analysis tools is a plus.
• Excellent communication, project coordination, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong attention to detail, planning skills, and ability to work both independently and within cross-functional teams.

Desirable

• Hands-on experience with rapid prototyping or 3D printing for casting applications.
• Knowledge of post-processes: heat treatment, finishing, machining, assembly workflows.
• Familiarity with regulatory specifications (e.g. defence, aerospace, medical, ATEX/Baseefa).
• Familiarity with ERP systems or bespoke production control tools.
• An interest or experience in tooling design or gating layout.

What’s On Offer?

• Permanent, full-time role based at their Greater Manchester site.
• Competitive salary reflecting skills and experience.
• Exposure to high-value engineering projects in demanding sectors.
• Access to modern CAD, simulation, and prototyping facilities.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Great working environment with a collaborative, quality-focused culture.