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Physical making / fixingPhysical making / fixing
Spring Maker
Spring makers are essential artisans in the UK manufacturing sector, crafting precision components that are vital for a myriad of industries, from automotive to aerospace. With the rise of advanced manufacturing technologies, this career offers a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern engineering skills, making it an exciting path for ambitious young professionals.
No degree needed for many routesApprenticeship route
AI impact: low£ payApprenticeship route
8
AI impact
how much AI is reshaping it
Robin · your guide
Curious about being a spring maker? Here's the honest picture - what you'd really do, what you'd earn, and every way in. No need to decide anything yet.
What you'd actually do
As a spring maker, you will be at the forefront of producing high-quality springs that are integral to various mechanical systems. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include interpreting technical drawings, selecting appropriate materials, and operating machinery such as coiling machines and heat treatment furnaces. Attention to detail is crucial, as you will need to ensure that each spring meets stringent specifications and quality standards. You will also collaborate closely with engineers and designers to develop prototypes and refine existing products, ensuring that they meet both performance and safety requirements.
The role demands a blend of manual dexterity and technical knowledge, as you will be involved in both the design and manufacturing processes. You will regularly conduct tests to assess the performance of springs under different conditions, making adjustments as necessary to optimise their functionality. With the industry increasingly adopting automation and advanced manufacturing techniques, staying updated with the latest technologies and methodologies will be essential for your success in this dynamic field.
1Interpreting technical drawings and specifications for spring designs
2Operating machinery to manufacture springs, including coiling and heat treatment equipment
3Conducting quality control tests to ensure springs meet required standards
4Collaborating with engineers to develop and refine spring prototypes
5Maintaining accurate records of production processes and outcomes
Career progression & pay
01
Getting in
Junior Spring Maker
£18,000 - £22,000
Level 2 Diploma in Engineering or equivalent
In this entry-level role, you will assist in the production of springs, learning the basics of machinery operation and quality control under the guidance of experienced colleagues.
02
Building up
Mid-Level Spring Maker
£24,000 - £30,000
Level 3 Diploma in Engineering or relevant experience
As a mid-level spring maker, you will take on more complex tasks, including designing springs and troubleshooting production issues, while mentoring junior staff.
03
At the top
Senior Spring Maker
£35,000+
HND or degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
In a senior role, you will oversee production processes, lead projects, and implement new technologies, ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency.
Degrees that lead here via Manufacturing & Production
Degree options are mapped from subjects - explore the buckets to find related courses.
Apprenticeships that lead here
Who hires - top UK employers
Lesjofors Springs
A leading manufacturer of springs and wire products, Lesjofors is known for its innovative solutions and high-quality standards.
Associated Spring
Part of the Barnes Group, Associated Spring is a prominent spring manufacturer serving various industries with precision-engineered products.
Springmasters
Specialising in bespoke spring manufacturing, Springmasters offers a wide range of products and is committed to quality and customer satisfaction.
AI & the future of this job
Spring making is a precision manufacturing trade that sits firmly in the physical, hands-on category where AI has minimal meaningful impact on core work. The actual coiling, heat treatment, and quality testing of springs requires dexterous machine operation, tactile judgement, and real-world calibration that no current or near-future AI system can replicate. Record-keeping and some drawing interpretation will see software assistance, but these are peripheral to the skilled craft itself. This is one of the more resilient career paths available to young people entering UK manufacturing.
Within 5 Years
Minimal workflow changes
AI-assisted CAD and simulation tools will become more common in the design and prototyping collaboration side of the role, making it slightly easier to interpret digital specifications. CNC machinery will continue advancing, but skilled operators are still required to set, monitor, and correct these machines in real time. Quality control may benefit from machine vision tools for defect detection, but human sign-off on precision components for aerospace and automotive will remain mandatory. The core job remains physically and technically demanding in ways automation cannot yet touch.
Within 10 Years
Selective automation assists
High-volume, low-complexity spring production will see increased automation, potentially reducing headcount in the most repetitive end of the trade. However, custom, high-tolerance, and prototype spring work, which commands the best wages, will continue to rely on experienced human makers. Spring makers who develop expertise in CNC programming, quality systems, and working alongside automation will be substantially more valuable than those who do not. The net effect is a smaller but better-paid and more technically skilled workforce rather than wholesale job losses.
Within 20 Years
Skilled roles persist strongly
Advanced robotics may handle more of the routine coiling work in large-scale production environments over a 20-year horizon, but precision spring making for defence, aerospace, and medical devices will remain a specialist human trade. The UK's advanced manufacturing base depends on workers who can problem-solve in physical environments, and that dependency is not disappearing. Spring makers who have grown into roles covering process engineering, quality management, or CNC programming will find themselves in senior and supervisory positions with strong job security. This is a trade where experience genuinely compounds over decades.
How to stay ahead
Pursue a manufacturing apprenticeship now
Employers including precision engineering firms and spring specialists regularly offer Level 3 and Level 4 apprenticeships that pay a wage from day one. Completing an apprenticeship gives you recognised qualifications, industry contacts, and practical skills that a degree simply cannot replicate for this trade. Check the UK government's apprenticeship finder and target employers in automotive, aerospace, and medical device supply chains for the best long-term prospects.
Develop CNC programming skills
The spring makers who will thrive over the next two decades are those who can both operate machines and programme them. Learning CNC programming alongside your trade work, through evening courses or employer-sponsored training, makes you significantly harder to replace and opens doors to higher-paid process engineering roles. Institutions like the Manufacturing Technology Centre offer relevant upskilling courses worth investigating.
Specialise in high-tolerance sectors
Aerospace, defence, and medical device spring making carries far greater automation resistance than commodity spring production because the regulatory and quality requirements demand human expertise and accountability. Targeting employers in these sectors, even if entry-level wages are similar, positions you in parts of the market where your skills will be valued and protected for the long term. BS EN 9100 and ISO 13485 quality systems knowledge will make your CV stand out in these industries.
Build quality control and inspection expertise
Quality assurance is increasingly important as manufacturing clients demand stricter traceability and compliance documentation, particularly in regulated industries. Spring makers who become proficient in metrology, coordinate measuring machines, and quality management systems like ISO 9001 can move into QC inspector or quality engineer roles that attract stronger salaries. This is a natural career progression path that keeps you technically relevant as production processes evolve.
How to get in - your routes
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