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- Tasks: Lead tooling and automation strategies to support innovative aerospace manufacturing.
- Company: Join Prestwick Aerosystems, a leader in aircraft manufacturing with a rich heritage.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in aerospace while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background with experience in tooling management and project leadership.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Prestwick, Ayrshire
Hours: 37 hours per week (half day Friday)
Type: Full-time
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000
Travel Required: Occasional
Work Location: Site-based (100%)
Security Checks: BPSS, Disclosure Scotland, pre-employment medical (including drug and alcohol testing)
Applicants must have the right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship available); appointments are subject to pre‑employment checks, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.
Join one of Ayrshire’s largest engineering employers. Prestwick Aerosystems continues Ayrshire’s long-standing aircraft manufacturing tradition. From our Prestwick site, we manufacture wing structures and complex aerostructures used on Airbus commercial aircraft programmes worldwide.
As Tooling Manager (Head of Tooling), you will lead and manage all aspects of tooling for the business, ensuring robust, cost‑effective and technically sound tooling solutions that support production, new programmes and long‑term business strategy. Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, suppliers and customers, you will play a key role in delivering safe, efficient and high‑quality tooling solutions within a regulated aerospace environment.
How you will contribute to the team
- Own the site tooling and automation strategy, aligning capability, assets and investment with business plans, customer requirements and long-term industrial objectives, acting as the senior subject matter expert to shape solutions and influence stakeholders.
- Lead and develop the Tooling & Automation teams, fostering a high-performance culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement, with clear focus on capability, capacity and succession planning.
- Own budgets, investment planning and make vs buy strategies, ensuring strong financial control, effective prioritisation, and delivery of robust business cases that optimise cost, quality, lead time and risk, while building a resilient supplier ecosystem.
- Define and deliver PPM and asset management strategies across tooling, automation and transportation media, maximising reliability, performance and lifecycle value while ensuring safe, stable and efficient operations and material flow.
- Lead tooling and automation for new product introduction and ongoing operations, covering definition, industrialisation and production readiness, while driving continuous improvement of existing systems, partnering with R&T to industrialise emerging technologies into scalable, value-driven solutions delivered to cost, quality and schedule.
Requirements for the role
- A strong engineering or quality background with demonstrable experience managing tooling activities within a manufacturing or regulated engineering environment.
- Proven project management capability, including managing tooling projects through defined cost, quality and delivery milestones.
- Practical working knowledge of lean principles and continuous improvement tools applied within an operational setting.
- Experience managing tooling suppliers and technical interfaces, including evaluation, approval and oversight of external tool manufacture.
What we will offer you
- 37-hour working week with half day Friday
- Defined contribution pension
- Annual bonus linked to company performance
- Generous annual leave entitlement
- Life assurance and wellbeing support
- Professional development and training opportunities
- Free onsite parking
If you’re ready to play a key role in supporting our engineering and manufacturing operations at Prestwick, apply today.
Right to Work in the UK
All applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Prestwick Aerosystems is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory Right to Work checks, Disclosure Scotland and a pre‑employment medical.
Prestwick Aerosystems is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.
Head of Tooling and Automation employer: Airbus
Contact Detail:
Airbus Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Tooling and Automation
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the aerospace industry, especially those at Prestwick Aerosystems. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Show us you’re genuinely interested in what we do at Prestwick and how you can contribute to our tooling and automation strategies.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Head of Tooling and Automation. We want to hear about your successes in managing tooling projects and leading teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Tooling and Automation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Tooling and Automation role. Highlight your engineering background, project management experience, and any relevant tooling activities you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your experience makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your understanding of lean principles and continuous improvement tools.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your capability in managing tooling projects. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve optimised cost, quality, and lead time in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team at Prestwick Aerosystems!
How to prepare for a job interview at Airbus
✨Know Your Tooling Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of tooling and automation processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed tooling projects, especially in a regulated environment like aerospace.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Tooling and Automation, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare to share how you've developed teams in the past, fostered a culture of accountability, and driven continuous improvement initiatives.
✨Understand the Business Strategy
Familiarise yourself with Prestwick Aerosystems' business objectives and how tooling aligns with them. Be prepared to discuss how you would own the tooling strategy and ensure it meets customer requirements and long-term goals.
✨Prepare for Financial Discussions
Since you'll be responsible for budgets and investment planning, brush up on your financial acumen. Be ready to talk about how you've previously managed costs, prioritised investments, and built robust business cases that optimise quality and lead time.