DESIGN ENGINEER / TECHNICAL PROJECT LEAD

Exeter | £40,000 - £60,000 DOE | Permanent

We're working with a fast-growing advanced manufacturing business in Exeter that develops robotic large-format 3D printing systems for defence, aerospace, and marine sectors.

They're looking for a Design Engineer / Technical Project Lead to own technical project delivery end-to-end — from developing customer designs through to finished product — acting as the technical authority on every project you touch.

The role involves:

• Taking customer designs from concept through to delivery, advising on manufacturability, material selection, and build orientation
• Applying mould tooling principles to optimise designs for downstream processes
• Leading a small technician team on day-to-day production
• Acting as the primary technical contact for customers throughout project delivery
• Supporting sales with feasibility assessments and accurate quoting
• Reporting directly to the CTO with genuine autonomy

The ideal candidate will have:

• A background in mould tool design, pattern making, or tooling applications
• Strong CAD skills — Fusion 360 or equivalent
• Proven experience managing projects and delivering to deadlines
• Confidence working directly with customers in a technical capacity
• Composites, CNC/CAM, or additive manufacturing experience is a bonus

This is a brilliant opportunity for a tooling or manufacturing engineer who wants to step into a senior, customer-facing role at a genuinely innovative company doing work very few businesses in the UK are doing.

Interested? Apply with your CV and we'll be in touch.