Apex Stainless Fasteners Ltd
Automation Development Engineer (Entry Level)
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About Aerotight
Aerotight is the manufacturing arm of Apex Stainless Fasteners, best known for the all-metal stainless steel self-locking Aerotight® nut - a product that has been a mainstay of the fastener industry for over 50 years. Based in the heart of the Midlands, in Leicester, our plant primarily produces the self-locking nut, alongside custom production runs including thin nuts, larger diameter sizes and alternative materials and plate finishes.
Our nuts are specified for some of the most demanding environments out there - offshore, trackside railway maintenance, earth-moving machinery, emissions systems and electric vehicles - because they stay put under heat and vibration, and can be reused without losing effectiveness. Demand is high and growing, particularly for common metric and imperial sizes shipped worldwide, so the focus now is on scaling production efficiently without compromising the quality that built the Aerotight reputation.
Aerotight is part of Apex Stainless Fasteners, one of Europe's leading stainless steel fastener specialists and part of the Bufab Group. All our products, systems and processes are LRQA ISO 9001:2015 approved.
About the role
We are looking for an entry-level Automation Development Engineer to join our manufacturing team at Aerotight.
You will be a key team member helping to optimise the performance of our existing bespoke machine tools. Beyond that, you will oversee the introduction of additional bespoke machine tools and help develop growth within our industry through efficient use of our assets.
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This is a genuine development role. We are investing in our manufacturing capability to meet rising global demand, and as more bespoke machine tools are installed at our works, the scope of this position will grow with it. The right person will grow into a role with real technical ownership and, in time, management responsibility.
An understanding of machine programming and mechanical operations is preferred, but we are just as interested in attitude. We are looking for a motivated self-starter who is keen to learn and progress.
Key responsibilities
- Optimise the performance and output of our existing bespoke machine tools
- Support the introduction, installation and commissioning of additional bespoke machine tools
- Work with special purpose machine control systems, developing your knowledge as you go
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and drive growth through better use of our assets
- Work alongside experienced engineers and production specialists, learning our processes from the ground up
- Take on increasing responsibility over time as our manufacturing capability expands
What we're looking for
- Practical engineering skills in fitting and machine tools are preferred - however, the ability and willingness to be trained in-house would be an attribute
- Knowledge of special purpose machine control systems will be required, but if only basic knowledge exists, a candidate showing the enthusiasm to increase their skill level and be trained within our works would be a benefit
- An understanding of machine programming and mechanical operations (preferred, not essential)
- A motivated self-starter, keen to learn and progress
- The appetite to take on growing responsibilities and develop the required management skills
- Fluency in English, both spoken and written
- Full UK driving licence and a willingness to travel to other Company locations, as well as attending training off-site
- You must have the right to live and work in the UK
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What we offer
- £21.00 per hour, based on a 42.5 hour week
- Full in-house training and the opportunity to attend external training courses
- A clear development path as our manufacturing operation scales up
- The chance to work on a globally recognised product with a 50+ year heritage
- The stability of being part of the Bufab Group, alongside the culture of a business where people stay for the long term
How to apply
Send your current CV and cover letter to recruitment@apexstainless.com
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