Image of employee Stephen Simpson Director and engineering recruiter of SimWest Engineering Recruitment

Stephen Simpson

Director/Engineering Recruiter

About Me

Stephen is the Founder of SimWest Engineering Recruitment and has over 17 years’ experience supporting engineering and manufacturing businesses across the UK.

He specialises in recruiting engineers for machinery-led environments, with particular focus on special-purpose machinery, food & drink manufacturing and FMCG.  Having worked closely with both candidates and hiring managers throughout his career, Stephen understands the challenges businesses face when securing the right engineering talent and takes a practical, straightforward approach to recruitment.

As a hands-on, owner-led consultant, Stephen personally manages every search, ensuring clients and candidates receive a responsive, honest and professional service from initial conversation through to successful placement.

 

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My Posts

September 9, 2026

Recruiting Engineers for the Can-Making Machinery Industry

A case study showcasing 18 years of experience recruiting engineers and technical specialists for companies supplying can-making machinery, including Bodymakers, Seamers, Flangers, Ovens, Dryers, Washers and can-handling systems across the UK and Europe.
August 10, 2026

UK Maintenance Engineer Salary Survey Report 2026

Discover the key findings from SimWest’s 2026 UK Maintenance Engineer Salary Survey, covering salary benchmarks, shift premiums, overtime, PLC capability and retention trends across Food, Beverage and FMCG manufacturing.
July 29, 2026

When Should You Recruit Maintenance Engineers for a New Production Line?

Planning a new production line? This article explains when to recruit maintenance engineers, which skills to prioritise, and why involving engineers before installation and commissioning can reduce risk, improve knowledge transfer and support a smoother production ramp-up.
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