Job Description
Product Design Engineer
Haydock
£40,000 – £65,000
We’re working with a well-established, privately owned manufacturer of thermoformed plastic food packaging, supplying a select portfolio of UK and global food customers.
It offers the opportunity to take ownership of product design and tooling within a busy, growing SME environment.
The Role
* Design and develop thermoformed plastic packaging products
* Create detailed 3D models and 2D drawings using SolidWorks (or similar)
* Apply key thermoforming principles (draft angles, shrinkage, de-nest features etc.)
* Support and manage in-house tooling manufacture
* Programme and optimise CNC/CAM processes (advantageous)
* Work directly with customers to translate requirements into manufacturable designs
* Collaborate closely with Directors, Production and Engineering teams
* Support continuous improvement across tooling, materials and efficiency
* Products are designed, tooled and manufactured on-site in Haydock before being shipped globally.
What We’re Looking For
* Strong 3D CAD capability (SolidWorks essential)
* Experience within thermoforming, plastics or packaging manufacturing
* Practical understanding of tooling and manufacturing processes
* CNC/CAM programming experience desirable
* Comfortable working directly with customers
* Suited to a fast-paced, hands-on SME environment
* Food packaging experience is advantageous but not essential if you have strong thermoforming/plastics exposure.
The Opportunity
* Direct reporting line to the Directors
* Real influence over NPD and tooling direction
* Flat structure, quick decision-making
* 40-hour week (Mon–Fri)
* Paid overtime
* 30 days holiday incl. bank holidays
* Salary £40,000 – £65,000 depending on experience