Martin-Baker Careers

Build the precision tooling behind life-saving engineering.

Join our skilled Tool Room team at Denham, where you’ll manufacture, assemble, inspect, repair and improve precision tooling in a varied small-batch environment. Your craftsmanship will directly support the reliable production of Martin-Baker’s life-saving ejection seat equipment.

Direct Impact, Global Scale. Life-Saving Mission.

At Martin-Baker, the work we do matters. We design, manufacture and support life-saving equipment used by aircrew around the world. Our products operate in demanding environments, where quality, reliability and attention to detail are critical.

We’re proud of our long history in aerospace and defence, also focused on the future. Joining Martin-Baker means becoming part of a business with a clear purpose, strong engineering capability and a long-term commitment to its people, products and customers.

Whether you work in engineering, operations, commercial, finance, supply chain or support functions, your contribution helps deliver equipment that protects lives. It is challenging work, but it is also meaningful, and with over 7800 lives saved, it gives our people the opportunity to be part of something with real impact.

The Opportunity

As a Toolmaker, you’ll work independently from controlled engineering drawings and model data to produce high-quality jigs, fixtures, gauges, cutters, press tools, mould tools and other special-purpose tooling. You’ll use conventional and CNC milling, turning and grinding equipment, alongside skilled hand-fitting and inspection techniques, to deliver safe, conforming tooling right first time.

You’ll also diagnose faults, complete controlled repairs and modifications, support new-tooling introduction and production breakdowns, and contribute practical ideas for continuous improvement. Working closely with Tool Design, Manufacturing and Inspection, you’ll manage priorities, maintain traceability and uphold exacting standards of safety, quality and delivery.

This role is based onsite at our Denham site.

What You’ll Do

• Interpret engineering drawings, models, tolerances and specifications, planning the safest and most effective manufacturing sequence.
• Set and operate conventional and CNC milling, turning and grinding equipment to produce precision tooling components.
• Create, prove out and amend basic NX, OneCNC or conversational CNC programmes, checking toolpaths and offsets before manufacture.
• Fit, assemble, inspect and prove jigs, fixtures, gauges, cutters, press tools, mould tools and other special-purpose tooling.
• Diagnose faults and complete controlled repairs or modifications, confirming dimensions, alignment, clearances and function.
• Maintain accurate traceability, progress and inspection records while supporting new tooling, breakdown response and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• NVQ Level 3 or higher in Toolmaking, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or another relevant engineering discipline.
• Substantial post-apprenticeship experience as a Toolmaker or equivalent precision engineer, working independently on varied tooling.
• Experienced use of CNC milling machines, CNC lathes and grinding equipment, supported by confident hand-fitting and bench-working skills.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work accurately to defined tolerances, surface finishes and controlled documentation.
• Competence using inspection hand tools, height gauges and shadowgraphs, with a consistent right-first-time approach.
• Strong fault-finding skills and sound judgement about when specialist support or approval is required.
• Ability to organise your workload, adapt to changing priorities and communicate clearly across engineering, manufacturing and inspection teams.
• Experience in aerospace, defence, complex press or mould tooling, 5-axis machining, EDM, CMM, 3D printing or heat treatment would be advantageous.
• Share and demonstrate the Martin-Baker values.

Our Values

At Martin-Baker, we value professionalism, understanding, teamwork, humility, accountability and integrity. We look for people who take pride in their work, collaborate openly and act with care because the work we do matters.

What We Offer

• Excellent pension package with strong employer support — Martin-Baker contributes 9% of your salary (non-contributory to the employee), with further employer contributions that grow as you increase your own
• Life Assurance
• Lunchtime finish on a Friday
• Personalised training and development plan
• Healthcare plan
• 25-days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Martin-Baker + (retail discounts platform)
• Occupational Health team
• Workplace Nursery Benefit scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

How to Apply / Your Interview Journey

Please submit your CV and, should you wish, a brief covering letter outlining your suitability, including the relevant experience, skills and expertise you can bring to the role.

After submitting your application, your details will be reviewed and the recruitment team will be in touch.

First stage interview – an informal discussion with the hiring team to understand your background, practical experience and motivations for joining Martin-Baker, with time for your questions about the role.

Final stage – a more detailed interview and practical trade assessment focused on your tooling knowledge, machining approach, inspection skills and commitment to safe, high-quality work.

We believe in equal opportunity, committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is respected. We want you to be able to do your best work.

Martin-Baker is a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, showing our support and commitment to our Armed Forces and their families, proudly supporting those who serve.

This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). For more information and guidance please visit https://martin-baker.com/security-vetting

The role also involves access to information governed by U.S. Export Control Laws (including ITAR); therefore, all applicants must satisfy ITAR eligibility requirements.