Recruitment
Quality
Current Positions (Leeds LS9 0DX)
CAD MANUFACTURING ENGINEER/TECHNICAL ENGINEER (SOLIDWORKS)
Salary: £30-36K
Hours: Full time
Location: Leeds Production Facility
Join a team where no two days are the same
Barkston Plastics Engineering specialises in bespoke, one off plastic fabrication, producing custom engineered solutions for customers across the UK.
We’re looking for a Manufacturing Engineer/Technical Engineer (ideally with Solidworks experience) who enjoys variety, problem solving, and working closely with production to turn ideas into high quality finished products.
If you understand fabrication, engineering principles, and thrive in a hands on environment, this role offers challenge, autonomy, and real impact.
About the role
You’ll be the technical link between customers, CAD, production, and commercial teams. Your work will shape how products are designed, costed, manufactured, and delivered. This is a varied and technically demanding role suited to someone who enjoys bespoke engineering rather than repetitive production.
Key responsibilities
- Liaise with customers to confirm requirements and ensure requests are achievable.
- Create manufacturing guides for new products, applying knowledge of fabrication, assembly, tooling, and materials.
- Produce CAD models to support production (SolidWorks or similar).
- Use internal production knowledge to ensure manufacturing methods are commercially appropriate.
- Support workflow planning, space requirements, and equipment layout.
- Prepare product and process reports by analysing data and trends.
- Answer technical queries from internal teams and customers.
- Maintain compliance with relevant regulations and company standards.
- Maintain product and process data, including CNC programming where required.
- Train and guide fabricators during development projects.
- Conduct contract reviews and ensure technical accuracy.
- Liaise with suppliers and internal departments to maintain strong communication.
- Review feedback and monitor quality of services provided.
What we’re looking for
- Strong understanding of fabrication and engineering processes.
- Experience of creating, interpreting and breaking down CAD models.
- Ability to translate customer requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.
- Confident communicator who can work across departments.
- Analytical mindset with a focus on efficiency and quality.
- Someone who enjoys variety, challenge, and bespoke problem solving.
Why join Barkston Plastics Engineering?
- Work on unique, bespoke manufacturing projects — no repetitive production lines.
- Be part of a skilled, supportive team with decades of specialist knowledge.
- Opportunity to influence manufacturing methods and continuous improvement.
- Stable, long established business with a strong reputation in plastics engineering.
If you wish to apply, attach your CV and send to HR@barkstonltd.co.uk quoting reference: /CADMan.
Telephone: 0113 519 9537
Email: hr@barkstonltd.co.uk
Web: https://barkstonltd.co.uk/contact/
Indeed Jobs: https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=barkston+plastic
PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR – LEEDS (FULL TIME, PERMANENT)
Salary: £36,000
Hours: Full time
Location: Leeds Production Facility
About the Role
We’re looking for a hands on Production Supervisor who has knowledge and experience of working in an engineering or fabrication (rather than machine led) environment to lead our Leeds shop floor and ensure customer orders are manufactured safely, accurately, on time and to the required quality standard.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning & Workflow
- Allocate work to the shop floor team in line with the production schedule, customer priorities and available skills.
- Maintain and adjust the delivery schedule with the Head of Operations, escalating risks to OTIF, capacity, materials or labour.
- Supervise day to day production of repeat orders, bespoke products and jobs released from commercial estimates.
- Monitor output, right first time quality, material usage, waste and workflow.
- Identify production issues early and escalate risks affecting quality, delivery, cost or safety.
Quality, Standards & Documentation
- Ensure jobs are manufactured to specification, drawings, BOMs, work instructions and quality standards.
- Create, review and maintain SOPs, work instructions and safe working practices.
- Maintain a safe, clean and organised working environment in line with H&S requirements.
People Leadership
- Supervise shop floor conduct, attendance and performance, managing lower-level issues and escalating any serious disciplinary matters to HR or the Head of Operations where required.
- Maintain training records and support training plans for trainees, apprentices and skilled staff.
- Ensure staff are cross trained across key production areas to reduce reliance on single individuals.
Cross Functional Collaboration
- Liaise with Maintenance to support planned maintenance, repairs and equipment availability.
- Work with Estimating, CAD/CAM, Procurement and Quality to resolve technical, material or production issues.
- Support project handover meetings for new, bespoke or technically complex jobs.
Communication & Reporting
- Communicate daily production priorities, schedule changes and delivery risks to the shop floor team.
- Provide feedback to the Head of Operations on output, labour capacity, training needs, OTIF risks and production issues.
If you wish to apply, attach your CV and send to HR@barkstonltd.co.uk quoting reference: Leeds/ProdSup.
Telephone: 0113 519 9708
Email: hr@barkstonltd.co.uk
Web: https://barkstonltd.co.uk/contact/
Indeed Jobs: https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=barkston+plastic
Featured Jobs (Below):-
PLASTIC FABRICATION APPRENTICESHIPS (FULL-TIME) – LEVEL 2
221 Pontefract Lane, Leeds LS9 0DX
Start Date September 2026
Job description:
We are looking for apprentices in plastic fabrication/welding and lean manufacturing. Do you want to develop your skills in manufacturing in a forward thinking, supportive environment that manages challenging design work for clients across the world?
Are you interested in welding, hardworking, keen to learn and able to use your own initiative? If yes, we may have the right apprenticeship for you.
Becoming an apprentice with Barkston Plastic Engineering will allow you to build a wide range of manufacturing skills within a supportive and successful business. Our apprenticeships follow a structured programme under which you will receive close mentoring from experienced fabricators alongside support from our apprenticeship provider both at college and in the workplace.
You will learn the following:
- How to identify and understand the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of materials.
- Hand tools / machines – how to use tools such as plastic welding, routers, manual miller, lathe, annealing ovens, pillar drills, flame polishers.
- How to understand and follow engineering drawings and CAD models for projects from a variety of industries including pharmaceutical, emergency services and the car industry.
- Fabrication – how to fabricate units following a job sheet.
- Quality control and inspection procedures to BSI standards.
- Use power tools such as angle grinders safely.
- Recognised manufacturing standards for housekeeping, maintenance etc such as 5s.
- How to identify and manage maintenance needs for a manufacturing unit.
Pay will depend upon skills and experience that you bring to the role. As an employee you will receive 24 holidays per year plus 8 bank holidays.
Desired skills:
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Attention to detail.
- Communication skills.
- Able to use initiative.
Desired qualifications:
- Candidates will need to hold or have predicted GCSE grade 4/C or above in English, Maths and Science.
Benefits:
- Company pension.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Life insurance.
- On-site parking.
If you wish to apply, attach your CV and send to HR@barkstonltd.co.uk quoting reference: Leeds/Appren.
Telephone: 0113 519 9708
Email: hr@barkstonltd.co.uk
Web: https://barkstonltd.co.uk/contact/
Indeed Jobs: https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=barkston+plastic
MACHINING TECHNICIAN APPRENTICESHIPS (FULL-TIME) – LEVEL 3
221 Pontefract Lane, Leeds LS9 0DX
Start Date: September 2026
Job Description:
We are looking for an apprentice to join our machining and engineering team. Do you want to develop high-level machining and engineering skills in a forward-thinking, supportive manufacturing environment that produces complex components for clients across the world?
Are you interested in CNC machining, engineering, problem-solving, and understanding how precision parts are made? Are you hardworking, keen to learn and able to use your own initiative? If yes, we may have the right apprenticeship for you.
Becoming an apprentice with Barkston Plastic Engineering will allow you to build a wide range of machining and engineering skills within a supportive and successful business. Our apprenticeships follow a structured programme under which you will receive close mentoring from experienced machinists and engineers, alongside support from our apprenticeship provider both at college and in the workplace.
You Will Learn The Following:
- How to set, operate and programme CNC machines (mills, routers and lathes) using industry-standard controls.
- How to safely operate manual machining equipment including manual mills, lathes, pillar drills and routers.
- How to interpret engineering drawings, CAD models and technical specifications.
- How to select appropriate tooling, feeds, speeds and machining streategies for different materials.
- How to measure and inspect components using precision instruments such as micrometers, verniers and gauges.
- How to work to tight tolerances and quality standards required across industries including pharmaceutical, emergency services and automotive.
- How to apply recognised engineering and manufacturing standards including 5S, safe working practices and continuous improvement.
- How to identify and manage basic needs for machining equipment.
Pay will depend upon the skills and experience that you bring to the role. As an employee you will receive 24 holiday days per year plus 8 bank holidays.
Desired Skills:
- Ability to follow instructions.
- Attention to detail.
- Communication skills.
- Able to use initiative.
- Interest in machining, engineering or manufacturing.
Desired Qualifications:
Candidates will need to hold or have predicted GCSE grade4/C or above in English, Maths and Science.
Hours/Pay:
- 8.00-4.00pm Monday to Thursday, 8.00-2.00pm Friday (one day per week at college).
- Year one – £9.20 per hour.
Benefits:
- Company pension.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Life insurance.
- On-site parking.
If you wish to apply, attach your CV and send to HR@barkstonltd.co.uk quoting reference: Leeds/Appren.
Telephone: 0113 519 9708
Email: hr@barkstonltd.co.uk
Web: https://barkstonltd.co.uk/contact/
Indeed Jobs: https://uk.indeed.com/jobs?q=barkston+plastic
Current Positions (Hebburn NE31 1UB)
There are currently no positions available.
Exceptional Quality Outcomes
Our engineering plastic premises in Leeds and Newcastle have the machinery and technologies which help our skilled plastic engineers to manufacture simple, complex and tight tolerance parts in whatever quantities required. Our Quality Assurance procedures thoroughly control component quality during all aspects of our manufacture.
Compliance
Our thorough working practices ensure that specific REACH or RoHS certification can be sent with all orders. We are well-equipped to help you meet specs with testing and inspection reports, lot and batch traceability, custom packaging and labelling.
