Lead Design Model Maker

If you're looking for a progressive and rewarding career and you thrive in a fast-paced, fun and team-orientated environment, then look no further! Overview of Vax: Our heritage-rich, expert-led business has always had the same goal: to prioritize innovation and to design easy-to-use products that seamlessly integrate into our customers' lives, offering reliable, quick solutions to cleaning homes, whatever the mess. Vax has forged its reputation as a brand that focuses on the needs of its customers. Our culture of innovation is at the heart of everything we do and we work hard to constantly think of new ways to improve our products, ensuring that we deliver premium quality products for our customers. Global Floorcare, part of TTI, is home to two iconic floorcare brands: Vax and Hoover. Together, we combine decades of expertise with a passion for innovation, creating products that make cleaning faster, easier and more effective for millions of customers around the world. Our success is built on understanding the needs of consumers and continuously pushing the boundaries of what's possible in floorcare. Backed by the scale and strength of a global business, we are committed to developing high-quality, innovative solutions that deliver exceptional performance and help people care for their homes with confidence.

Lead Design Model Maker

As our Lead Model Maker, you'll lead the development of physical prototypes, appearance models and functional demonstrators that bring ideas to life throughout the innovation process. You will play a critical role in transforming concepts into tangible experiences that enable learning, validation, communication and decision making. Working closely with Industrial Design, Design Research, Advanced Development and Engineering, you'll combine traditional model-making craftsmanship with modern prototyping technologies to deliver world-class physical representations of future products.

Key Duties

• Create appearance models, ergonomic studies, functional prototypes and demonstrator builds that support innovation and product development activities.
• Translate Industrial Design concepts into physical models that accurately communicate design intent.
• Produce presentation-quality models using a wide range of fabrication, assembly and finishing techniques.
• Apply finishing processes including preparation, painting, spraying, colour matching and cosmetic detailing.
• Support design reviews, consumer evaluations and executive presentations through exceptional model quality and craftsmanship.
• Develop proof of principle and functional demonstrators to evaluate user interactions and experiences.
• Utilise a broad range of fabrication technologies including manual machining, CNC machining, additive manufacturing and laser cutting.
• Co-own the workshop and prototyping facilities alongside the Front-End Innovation Engineer, supporting standards, maintenance, tools, consumables and best practices.
• Deliver inductions and support safe working practices across the facility.
• Identify opportunities to improve prototyping capability, processes and model quality.

What we're looking for

You're a highly skilled model maker who combines craftsmanship, creativity and technical expertise to transform ideas into tangible experiences. You understand how physical prototypes accelerate learning, communicate design intent and support better decision making throughout the innovation process.

Skills, Experience & Competencies

• Degree, HND, apprenticeship or equivalent experience in Model Making, Manufacturing, Product Design, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience creating appearance models, prototypes and demonstrators within a product development environment.
• Strong understanding of model making materials, fabrication methods and finishing techniques.
• Experience producing presentation-quality models, including painting, spraying and cosmetic finishing.
• Strong workshop capability including conventional machining, fabrication and assembly.
• Proven CNC & CAM experience including setup, programming and operation.
• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies such as, FDM, MJF, SLS, SLA and PolyJet.
• Familiarity with laser cutting and other advanced prototyping technologies.
• Strong understanding of workshop safety, equipment maintenance and good workshop practices.
• Excellent craftsmanship, attention to detail and practical problem-solving skills.

What Makes You Successful

• Craftsmanship Excellence: You create models and prototypes of exceptional quality.
• Visual Communicator: You bring concepts to life through physical representation.
• Technical Versatility: You combine traditional skills with modern fabrication methods.
• Workshop Stewardship: You help maintain a safe, organised and capable facility.
• Collaborative Partner: You work effectively across Design, Engineering and Innovation.
• Continuous Improver: You develop new techniques and capabilities that enhance prototyping.
• Innovation Enabler: You help teams learn and make better decisions through physical prototypes.

Equal Opportunities

At Vax we are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. We believe in creating a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and grow. If you're looking to join a forward-thinking company that values collaboration, innovation, and impact - we'd love to hear from you. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will do what we can to support you. Please note: Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. We are unable to provide sponsorship for this role.

Vax is made up of people who have a shared understanding of our mission and vision. Our values define who we are and what we stand for; Trust - We're experts and everything we do is based on brilliant knowledge. Honesty - Our commitment to doing the right means we are always open and transparent. Resilience - For decades, we have embraced change and been agile in what we do. We aren't easily discouraged. Innovation - We're curious and explore opportunities, innovating to benefit our customers and business. Valued - We are better when each of us feels included and respected for who we are and what we contribute. Energy - We are positive thinkers, excited about what we do.

Techtronic Industries (TTI) is a fast-growing world leader in Power Tools, Accessories, Hand Tools, Outdoor Power Equipment, Floor Care and Appliances for Do-It-Yourselfer (DIY), professional and industrial users in the home improvement, repair, maintenance, construction and infrastructure industries. An unrelenting strategic focus on Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Operational Excellence and Exceptional People drives our culture.

• Brand loyalty is a cornerstone for sustainable growth and increased profitability. We highly regard and respect our brands and all of the end-users who invest their confidence in them.
• TTI is delivering a tidal wave of change in multiple industries with its cordless technology leadership. Whether power tools, floorcare, or outdoor products. We believe in continually challenging accepted standards, exploiting, adapting, and improving technologies to create better products for higher-value brands.
• Our operational excellence is the engine that provides the power to innovation. This means examining every single aspect of bringing a product to market and questioning how to improve the efficiency of even the smallest detail.
• TTI understands that the greatest investment for every organization is in its people. At TTI, we invest heavily in developing current and future leaders. Filling the growing TTI management needs is the Leadership Development Program through aggressive university recruitment, training, and promotion ladder for high potential talent.
• Instilling ESG (Environmental Social Governance) best practices along our value chain drives TTI's approach to sustainability in the way we operate, what we produce, how we source and the way we live. Sustainability is at the core of our business today and is the bedrock for both the development of our business.