Aether Interiors is a CNC-led furniture manufacturing operation based in Derby, producing precision-engineered interior kits for the premium campervan conversion market. We design and manufacture furniture components to exacting tolerances — every kit needs to work first time, fit perfectly, and look the part in a high-specification vehicle interior.
We run a KDT CNC router, edgebander, and we're building a team around it. This is a ground-floor opportunity with a business that has a clear growth trajectory and the infrastructure to back it up.
The Role
We're looking for an experienced CAD/CAM Designer to take ownership of the full design-to-production workflow for our furniture kit range. This isn't a junior role — you'll be working independently, making decisions, and producing work that goes straight to the machine.
Day-to-day you'll be working across:
- Designing new furniture kits and interior components from brief or concept through to production-ready files
- Producing accurate toolpaths and CNC programs optimised for our router setup
- Material nesting and sheet optimisation to maximise yield and minimise waste
- DXF/toolpath preparation and handoff to the production floor
- Collaborating closely with the production team on fit, finish, and any design iterations required post-prototype
- Maintaining a library of reusable component files and parametric assemblies
- Contributing to process improvements as the product range scales
The work spans both the technical and the creative — you'll need to be as comfortable producing tight, manufacturable geometry as you are thinking about how a component will look and feel inside a finished vehicle.
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- Substantial hands-on experience in CAD/CAM design within a furniture, joinery, shopfitting, or related manufacturing environment
- Strong working knowledge of CNC routing — toolpath logic, feed rates, fixturing, material behaviour
- Proficiency in at least one professional CAD/CAM package (we use Fusion 360 and VCarve Pro, but we'll consider strong candidates working in other platforms)
- The ability to take a brief and run with it — you won't be managed step-by-step
- A sharp eye for detail and an understanding of how design decisions affect production outcomes
- Comfortable reading and producing technical drawings to manufacturing standards
Desirable:
- Direct experience with Fusion 360 and/or VCarve Pro
- Background in vehicle, marine, or fitted furniture design, where space constraints and weight are factors
- Experience with edgebanding and panel-based construction methods
- Familiarity with material optimisation and nesting software
Working Arrangements
This role is primarily based at our workshop in Derby (DE24), with some flexibility for hybrid working for tasks that don't require on-site presence. Given the nature of the work — prototyping, production liaison, machine-side review — regular attendance at the unit is expected.
We're open to full-time or part-time arrangements for the right candidate. Part-time applicants should be available for a minimum of 3 days per week.
Salary & Package
£30,000–£40,000 per annum, negotiable based on experience.
Pay: £30,000.00-£40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
