CNC Skilled Machinist in Bristol

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a CNC Skilled Machinist at our Ashton Vale, Bristol site. Mission Systems is engaged in long-term contracts to supply critical components for submarine weapon handling equipment, supporting both current and future fleets. This 10+ year project plays a vital role in global defence and security.

Responsibilities

The Role As a CNC Skilled Machinist, you’ll operate small to large machine tools while manufacturing complex components ranging from < 1 kg to up to 5 tonnes, across a variety of materials. You will perform machining activities in line with best practice and procedures, completing operations safely on time to quality requirements. You’ll also:

• Adhere to health & safety policies including risk assessments, check sheets, start of shift checks, etc.
• Capture issues during manufacturing and escalate appropriately to minimise impact to delivery
• Be a team player and active participant in supporting continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure next job readiness and preparations are taken ahead of requirement

This full-time role at Ashton Vale, Bristol, offers a 36-hour workweek on days, or a 37-hour early and late shift pattern with shift premium.

Qualifications

Experience

• Basic understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, inspection, welding & assembly)
• Experience with Heidenhain programming, and use of overhead cranes - advantageous but training will be arranged if required
• Time served Machinist in Defence or Aerospace Industry or equivalent, manufacturing small/large components on CNC machines with 2 years’ experience
• Knowledge in various milling techniques, processes and equipment

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role. Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held.

What we offer

• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows the majority of employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement
• Be Kind Day enables employees to take one working day’s paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal

About Babcock

We’re Babcock — a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 26,000 people working together to make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance. We call that lifetime engineering. Join us and see how far we can go, together.

Additional information

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email careers@babcockinternational.com with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.