Tool room operative

Position: Toolroom Operator

Company: Dowse Engineering

Location: Bletchley, Milton Keynes

Position Type: Full-time

About Dowse Engineering

At Dowse Engineering, precision and reliability drive everything we do. As a high-precision subcontract machining manufacturer supplying critical industries—including aerospace, automotive, motorsport, and medical technology—we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional quality. To keep our advanced CNC machining capabilities running smoothly, we are looking for an organised and detailed Toolroom Operator to join our team.

The Role

As our Toolroom Operator, you will be the backbone of our machining operations. You’ll be responsible for managing our tool inventory, ensuring cutting tools are correctly selected, set, and measured before they hit the shop floor. Your role directly impacts production efficiency, machine uptime, and the overall accuracy of our precision components.

Key Responsibilities

• Tool Preparation & Setting: Assemble, set, and measure cutting tools and holders using offline tool presetting equipment.
• Inventory Management: Maintain, organise, and track tool stock (inserts, end mills, drills, holders) to ensure availability for scheduled jobs.
• Quality Assurance: Inspect tooling for wear and damage, ensuring only verified, high-quality tools are deployed to the machines.
• Shop Floor Support: Issue preset tooling packages to CNC machinists on time according to production schedules.
• Data Accuracy: Enter tool dimensional data into systems/presetter equipment accurately to minimise setup times and eliminate errors.
• Maintenance & Housekeeping: Maintain clean, organised tool storage facilities and manage tool re-grind or recycling processes.

What We’re Looking For

• Relevant Experience: Background in a precision engineering or CNC machining environment (as a tool setter, toolroom operator, or experienced machinist).
• Technical Knowledge: Understanding of cutting tool geometry, inserts, holders, and milling/turning tooling systems.
• Tool Presetting: Experience operating tool presetting equipment (e.g., Zoller, Speroni, or similar) is highly advantageous.
• Organisation Skills: A systematic approach to inventory control with strong attention to detail.
• Team Player: Clear communication skills to liaise effectively with production schedulers, CNC setters, and programmers.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Stable, long-term career growth in a modern, well-equipped facility
• Contributory pension scheme and company benefits
• Opportunities for further training and development

How to Apply

If you have the technical eye and organisational skills to keep a busy engineering shop floor running at peak performance, we want to hear from you.

Send your CV and a brief cover letter to Sign in to view email with the subject line "Toolroom Operator Application.

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