Technical Sales Engineer

Role purpose

R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is a precision aerospace CNC machining and assembly business operating from two sites in Andover and Whitchurch, Hampshire. We manufacture components for the world’s leading aerospace and defence OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, and we hold AS9100, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 accreditation.

The Technical Sales Engineer is the technical engine of our sales team. You will take new enquiries from first receipt to a robust, well-understood quotation – reviewing drawings and CAD data, assessing materials, machining methods and special processes, and working with our engineering team and supply chain to define how each part will be manufactured.

You will also be the technical partner to our Key Account Manager, joining customer calls, meetings, and site visits to answer engineering and manufacturing questions with confidence. This is a newly created role within a restructured sales function, offering real scope to shape how we respond to customers.

Looking to take your CNC machining experience off the shop floor? If you have built your career as a CNC miller, turner, programmer, or setter and understand how complex precision parts are made, this role puts that knowledge to work in a commercial setting. Estimating or sales experience is welcome but not essential – we will train the right person.

Key responsibilities

RFQ and quotation management

• Receive, log, and process all new RFQs through our ERP system, ensuring every enquiry is tracked from receipt to quotation.
• Read and review engineering drawings, specifications, and CAD data, identifying key characteristics, tolerances, special requirements and any risks or ambiguities to raise with the customer.
• Define the manufacturing route for each part, including CNC machining methods, materials, inspection and outsourced special processes.
• Obtain and assess supplier quotations for material, surface treatments (such as paint, anodise and plating), heat treatment and other special processes.
• Prepare accurate, timely quotations in line with AS9100 contract review requirements, working with Manufacturing Engineering on methods and times.

Technical support to the Key Account Manager

• Act as the technical partner to the Key Account Manager across our key accounts.
• Support technical engineering and manufacturing emails, calls and meetings, both at RET and on customer and supplier sites.
• Respond to technical queries, engineering changes, and concessions, keeping customers informed throughout.
• Translate customer requirements into clear manufacturing information for our production, engineering, and quality teams.

Customer and supplier engagement

• Support all customer enquiries, from key accounts to new and smaller customers.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customer engineers, buyers, and quality teams.
• Collaborate with suppliers to understand their capability and lead times, and to develop solutions for customer requirements.
• Take a proactive, solution-led approach – bringing options and recommendations rather than problems.

Commercial and business development

• Apply commercial awareness to every quotation, balancing technical risk, lead time, and pricing.
• Identify opportunities to grow existing accounts and support the development of new customers.
• Maintain accurate customer, enquiry and opportunity records within our ERP and CRM.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of the quotation process, including the use of AI tools and automation.

Reporting lines and support

The Technical Sales Engineer reports to the Head of Sales and works day to day alongside the Key Account Manager. You will work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality and Operations to make sure every quotation reflects how the part will be manufactured.

Essential experience and skills

• A strong CNC machining background – for example as a CNC miller, turner, programmer, or setter – or experience in a technical sales, estimating or manufacturing engineering role within precision engineering, ideally aerospace and defence.
• Confident reading and interpreting engineering drawings and CAD data, including GD&T, tolerances, and specification.
• Practical knowledge of CNC machining methods – milling, turning, and multi-axis machining – including tooling, fixturing, machining strategies, and cycle times.
• Experience with surface treatments and special processes, such as paint, anodise, plating and heat treatment, including how they affect machining allowances.
• Good knowledge of engineering materials, including aluminium, stainless steels, titanium, and nickel alloys.
• Commercial awareness, with an understanding of how methods, materials, lead times, and risk shape a quotation.
• Confident engaging with customers and suppliers by email, phone, and face to face.
• Experience using ERP and CRM systems to manage enquiries, quotations, and customer records.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the ability to manage several enquiries at once.
• Full UK driving licence and the right to work in the UK.

Desirable experience

• Working knowledge of AS9100, FAIR (AS9102) and Nadcap special process approvals.
• Previous estimating or quotation experience, including cycle and set-up times for CNC machined components.
• Familiarity with customer supplier portals and OEM / Tier 1 quality requirements.
• Experience of a modern ERP / CRM platform.
• Interest in using AI tools to improve quotation speed and accuracy.
• An engineering qualification (HNC, HND, degree or time-served apprenticeship).

Personal attributes

• Solution provider – positive, pragmatic, and focused on the task in hand.
• Proactive – notice issues early and acts accordingly.
• Detail-driven – attention to detail, particularly with part data and documentation.
• Customer focused – responsive, clear, honest, and trusted.
• Collaborative – comfortable working with all levels of personnel in all departments.
• Curious – enthusiasm to learn and naturally enthusiastic to develop new skills.

Why R E Thompson

• A long-established, privately owned precision engineering business with a leading reputation in aerospace and defence.
• Continued investment in advanced manufacturing technology.
• Full training and a clear development path for experienced machinists moving into a commercial, customer-facing role.
• A newly structured sales team with clear roles, modern ERP and CRM systems and growing use of AI.
• Direct access to the senior leadership team and real influence over how the role develops.
• A growing organisation with a strong forward order book and clear development opportunities.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short covering note outlining your machining, technical or quotation experience to carl.joy@rethompson.co.uk, or apply through our LinkedIn or Indeed advertisement. Applications will be reviewed on receipt and we encourage early application.

R E Thompson & Co (Vacuum) Ltd is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of background. Some work undertaken by the business may be subject to export control or security clearance requirements.

Pay: Up to £50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company events
• Company pension
• Free parking
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Sick pay

Experience:

• Manufacturing: 2 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Andover (Hampshire, South East Region)

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