Applications Engineer, Toolmaking in Southampton - Aaron Wallis Sales Recruitment

Applications Engineer (Technical Sales & Estimating), Up to £57,500 basic (dependent on experience) + bonuses + company car/allowance + premium benefits package (including generous pension and private health). An established leader in high-performance precision engineering solutions is seeking an Applications Engineer to cover the South of England. With a legacy spanning over fifty years, our client provides highly engineered, mission-critical elastomeric, rubber and plastic components to the high-performance automotive, aerospace, defence, and marine sectors.

Reporting directly to the Sales and Marketing Director, this is not a traditional "relationship-only" sales role. It is a highly technical, hands-on engineering position. You will act as the technical authority during the front-end engineering design (FEED) and bidding phases, translating complex customer requirements into manufactured reality. If you have a deep, practical understanding of tool design and polymer/rubber moulding, this role offers the perfect platform to leverage your technical expertise in a commercial, high-impact environment.

The Role of Applications Engineer - What You'll Do

Lead the evaluation of complex Invitations to Tender (ITTs) and Requests for Quotation (RFQs), determining manufacturing feasibility, material selection, and optimal tooling configurations.

Work out cycle times, material yields, tool layouts, and processing parameters to build precise, competitive, and profitable commercial quotations.

Read, interpret, and interrogate 3D CAD files alongside client R&D and design engineers, advising on Design for Manufacture (DFM) to optimize toolmaking and moulding processes.

Act as the technical bridge between client engineering teams and our internal manufacturing operations. You must possess the depth of knowledge to challenge designs, suggest modifications, and discuss tooling kinematics with authority.

Manage customer accounts and new technical enquiries across the South of England, acting as the primary technical point of contact.

In Return, You Will Receive -

• Basic Salary - Circa £55,000-£57,500 (with flexibility for exceptional candidates with a proven toolmaking/moulding pedigree).
• Company Car or Allowance
• Pension - 5% employer contributions.
• Healthcare - Premium private healthcare, eyecare, and dental insurance.
• Holiday - 22 days (increasing to 27 days based on length of service).
• A collaborative, world-class engineering team environment with access to cutting-edge manufacturing technology.

What is Needed to Apply to the Role of Applications Engineer

• You must have a strong practical background in toolmaking, plastic injection moulding, or rubber moulding (including compression, transfer, or liquid silicone moulding). You should understand tool design, gate placement, shrinkage rates, and polymer/elastomer behaviour.
• You must be technically strong enough to stand in front of R&D directors and design engineers and immediately command respect. A background as a Toolmaker, Moulding Technician, or Estimating Engineer transitioning into a commercial role is highly desirable.
• Prior experience analysing technical tenders (ITTs), dissecting RFQ packages, and calculating manufacturing costs is highly advantageous.
• High proficiency in reading engineering drawings and manipulating 3D CAD data (e.g., SolidWorks, Catia, or similar).

To Apply

Email your CV to

This vacancy is being advertised by Aaron Wallis Recruitment and Training Limited operating as an Employment Agency, registered in England No. 6356563. View our and