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