About SimWest Engineering Recruitment
A Specialist Engineering Recruitment Agency Built for Manufacturing & Machinery Businesses
SimWest Engineering Recruitment is a specialist engineering recruitment agency supporting manufacturing and machinery businesses across the United Kingdom. Based in Manchester, we work closely with engineering-led organisations to source high-quality engineering talent for permanent, contract and interim roles.
Founded with a clear focus on engineering and manufacturing, SimWest was created to offer a more knowledgeable, practical and personal alternative to large, generalist recruitment agencies. We specialise in recruiting engineers for machinery-led and production-driven environments, where technical capability, industry understanding and cultural fit are critical to long-term success.
A Specialist Approach to Engineering Recruitment
Recruiting engineers is rarely straightforward. Skills are specialised, good engineers are in short supply, and the impact of the wrong hire can be felt across productivity, downtime and team morale.
At SimWest, we keep things practical and straightforward. We focus on understanding your machinery, processes, team structure and expectations, rather than relying solely on CV keywords or generic job matching.
Our recruitment approach includes:
- Targeted headhunting and direct outreach
- Access to a long-established network of engineering professionals
- Thorough role qualification and honest candidate conversations
- Clear communication at every stage of the process
We would rather introduce fewer candidates of the right quality than flood hiring managers with unsuitable CVs.
Owner-Led, Hands-On Recruitment
SimWest Engineering Recruitment is founded and led by Stephen Simpson, who has over 17 years’ experience supporting engineering and manufacturing businesses across the UK.
Stephen remains personally involved in every recruitment assignment. This means clients and candidates deal directly with an experienced engineering recruiter from the first conversation through to placement and beyond.
Being owner-led allows SimWest to offer:
- Direct access to an experienced engineering recruiter
- Faster decision-making and clear accountability
- Honest feedback and advice
- A recruitment partner who understands both client and candidate perspective.
Quite simply, your recruitment isn’t handed off to a junior consultant or managed at arm’s length.
Supporting Clients and Candidates
We believe successful recruitment is built on long-term relationships, not short-term transactions. SimWest works as a trusted recruitment partner to manufacturing businesses, providing market insight, honest advice and flexible recruitment solutions aligned to operational needs.
At the same time, we support engineers by offering clear guidance, confidential conversations and opportunities that genuinely align with their experience and career goals. This balanced approach helps ensure successful outcomes for both clients and candidates.
Working with Clients and Engineers
We believe successful recruitment is built on trust, transparency and long-term relationships.
For clients, we act as a recruitment partner rather than a transactional supplier - offering market insight, realistic advice and flexible recruitment solutions aligned to your business needs.
For engineers, we provide a confidential, supportive service, helping them make informed career decisions rather than pushing them into unsuitable roles. Many of the engineers we work with return to us multiple times throughout their careers, which we see as one of the strongest measures of our success.
Our Specialism
At SimWest, engineering and manufacturing recruitment is our sole focus. We support businesses across a wide range of sectors, including:
- Special-Purpose Machinery (Web link to sector page)
- Food & Drink Manufacturing (Web link to sector page)
- FMCG Manufacturing (Web link to sector page)
- Other Industrial & Manufacturing Sectors(Web link to sector page)
Our recruitment expertise spans the full engineering lifecycle, from design and development through to production, maintenance, projects, automation and leadership roles. This sector focus allows us to understand not only job titles, but the machinery, processes and challenges behind them.
Engineering Recruitment Agency in Manchester, Supporting the UK
From our Manchester base, SimWest Engineering Recruitment supports manufacturing and machinery businesses across the UK, including the North West, Yorkshire, the Midlands, the South East, South West, Scotland and Wales.
If you are looking for an engineering recruitment agency, engineering recruiters in the UK, or a manufacturing recruitment partner with genuine sector expertise, SimWest Engineering Recruitment offers a specialist, straightforward and professional service.
Speak to a Specialist Engineering Recruiter
If you are a manufacturing business looking to hire experienced engineering talent, or an engineer considering your next move, SimWest Engineering Recruitment would be pleased to have a conversation.
Contact SimWest today to discuss your engineering recruitment requirements and find out how a focused, owner-led approach can deliver better long-term results.
