Applications Engineer (Technical Sales & Estimating)

About the role

This position is a hybrid technical‑sales role where you will act as the engineering authority during front‑end design and bidding phases for high‑performance elastomeric and plastic components. You will translate complex customer requirements into feasible tooling solutions for the automotive, aerospace, defence and marine sectors across the South of England.

Key responsibilities

• Lead evaluation of Invitations to Tender (ITTs) and Requests for Quotation (RFQs), assessing feasibility, material selection and tooling configurations.
• Calculate cycle times, material yields, tool layouts and processing parameters to produce accurate, competitive quotations.
• Interpret 3D CAD files with client R&D teams, providing Design for Manufacture (DFM) advice to optimise toolmaking and moulding.
• Serve as the technical bridge between client engineering teams and internal manufacturing, challenging designs and suggesting modifications.
• Discuss tooling kinematics with authority and manage technical enquiries and customer accounts across the South of England.

Required profile

• Proven experience in tool design and polymer/rubber moulding.
• Strong background in technical sales, estimating and front‑end engineering design (FEED).
• Ability to translate complex specifications into manufacturable solutions.
• Comfort working with 3D CAD data and providing DFM recommendations.
• Excellent technical communication with both customers and internal teams.

Required skills

• Tool design
• Polymer/rubber moulding
• 3D CAD interpretation
• Design for Manufacture (DFM)
• Technical sales & estimating
• Front‑end engineering design (FEED)
• Evaluation of ITTs/RFQs
• Tooling kinematics

What we offer

• Basic salary between £55,000 and £57,500 per year (flexible for exceptional candidates).
• Company car or allowance.
• 5% employer pension contribution.
• Premium private healthcare, eyecare and dental insurance.
• 22 days holiday, increasing to 27 days with length of service.
• Collaborative engineering team with access to cutting‑edge manufacturing technology.