About Tropical Marine Centre
Tropical Marine Centre is a world leader in the supply of ornamental marine livestock and a UK-leading manufacturer of commercial aquatic equipment. With sites in Chorleywood, Manchester, and international operations extending to Portugal, TMC is a business built on deep industry expertise, a passion for animal welfare, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.
TMC holds Gold status with Investors in People and is committed to the development of its people at all levels. This role is part of a broader investment in building the next generation of skilled specialists within our Biosystems division.
About the Role
This is a hands-on manufacturing role aimed at building a skilled fabricator with specialist knowledge of aquatic systems. You will spend the majority of your time on the workshop floor at our Chorleywood facility, learning to fabricate, assemble, and maintain the filtration systems that Biosystems designs and sells worldwide.
If you have the practical mindset, the eye for detail, and the desire to become a skilled tradesperson in a niche and growing industry, this role will give you that platform.
About Biosystems | TMC
Biosystems is the commercial manufacturing division of Tropical Marine Centre (TMC), the UK's leading manufacturer and distributor of innovative commercial aquatic filtration equipment. From our base in Chorleywood, Hertfordshire, we design and build plug-and-play recirculation filtration systems (RAS), UV sterilisers, LED lighting, and advanced life support equipment used in public aquariums, research facilities, aquaculture operations, coral restoration operations and specialist retail applications worldwide.
Our products — including photocatalytic UV sterilisers, commercial skimmers, and bespoke filtration systems — are manufactured to exacting standards and shipped globally. We are trusted by research institutes, zoos, aquaculture facilities and public aquariums across Europe and beyond.
This role sits at the heart of how we make things. You will work alongside experienced fabricators and aquatic systems engineers, learning a precision trade in a genuinely specialist manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Pipe Fabrication & UV System Build essential and nice to haves
· Plastics heat welding
· Plastics solvent welding (gluing pipes)
· Cutting, preparing, and solvent-welding PVC pipework to specification and high-quality standards
· Building and assembling commercial UV steriliser units, working to drawings and work instructions
· Carrying out sub-assembly of aquatic products, including fittings, manifolds, and flow components
· Experience with operating a CNC machine and AutoCAD drawing capability (nice to have) for use with the CNC machine
· Reading and interpreting engineering drawings and assembly specifications
· Maintaining accuracy and quality throughout the fabrication process, with attention to leak-free joints and correct tolerances
What We're Looking For
· A practical, hands-on approach — you enjoy making things and take satisfaction in precision work
· Attention to detail and accuracy — fabrication work has to be right first time
· A flexible, 'can do' attitude, particularly to repetitive or methodical tasks
· Willingness to learn and take direction, and to engage fully with the apprenticeship training programme
· Good communication and the ability to work as part of a small, close-knit team
· Any prior experience in plumbing, pipework, carpentry, or practical engineering would be an advantage but is not essential
· GCSEs in Maths and English (grade 4 / C or above) or equivalent are desirable
What You'll Gain
- Hands-on training in pipe fabrication, UV system assembly, and aquatic systems maintenance from experienced specialists
- A thorough grounding in a specialist manufacturing niche
- The opportunity to contribute to products used in world-class aquariums, research institutions, and aquaculture facilities globally
Pay: £22,500.00-£26,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
