CNC Operative in Hastings

Our client is seeking an experienced Programmer / Setter – CNC Turning (Sliding-Head) to join their team in St Leonards-on-Sea. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled CNC professional with strong sliding-head experience to play a key role in producing high-precision machined components in a modern production environment.

What’s on Offer?

• Job type: Full time, permanent
• Location: St Leonards-on-Sea
• Salary: Up to £35,000 p/a
• Working pattern: Monday – Thursday 08:00–17:00, Friday 08:00–13:00 (39 hours per week)

Key Responsibilities:

• Program, set and operate Sliding Head CNC Lathes to produce high-precision components to specification and schedule
• Create CNC programs using CAD/CAM software and manual programming techniques
• Work on Star, Citizen and Tornos Sliding-Head machines
• Investigate and implement appropriate tooling and workholding solutions
• Lead NPI first runs, ensuring optimal programming, tooling and workholding strategies are used
• Produce and maintain documentation and toolkits to support efficient future production runs
• Monitor and manage tooling wear, offsets and counters during production
• Carry out in-production inspection, recording results accurately using first principles measurement methods
• Use inspection equipment including shadowgraph, OGP and CMM systems
• Input daily production and setting data into the production scheduling system
• Monitor production rates and escalate issues to Production and Quality teams where required
• Support continuous improvement initiatives to optimise quality, delivery and cost
• Carry out daily, weekly and monthly TPM maintenance activities and maintain accurate records
• Maintain high standards of housekeeping in line with 5S processes
• Provide technical input to support quotations, including tooling requirements and technical risk assessment
• Promote a strong health & safety culture and safe working practices

Skills, Experience, and Training Requirements:

• Strong background in Sliding Head CNC machining
• Proven experience programming and setting CNC sliding-head lathes
• Experience creating and working with 3D models (CAD/CAM)
• Strong understanding of NC program structure and the ability to identify and resolve programming errors
• Excellent knowledge of materials, tooling geometry, grades and cutting data
• Competent using a range of inspection and measurement equipment
• High attention to detail across programming, setting, production and quality
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office (particularly Excel)
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop efficient machining strategies
• Ability to prioritise workload and perform under pressure
• Effective communication skills and a collaborative team approach

Our Ideal Candidate:

• A proactive and detail-oriented CNC professional
• Someone who takes pride in producing high-quality precision components
• A team player who supports continuous improvement initiatives
• A motivated individual with a can-do attitude and willingness to further develop technical skills

How to Apply:

If you are an experienced CNC Programmer / Setter with sliding-head expertise and are looking for your next opportunity in a precision engineering environment, we would love to hear from you. Apply directly through this advert with your CV.

If you know someone suitable for this role, share the word and through our referral scheme receive up to £250!

For full details on all Permanent, Temporary and Contract career opportunities we are actively seeking candidates for. Recruiting on the basis of Talent, we are committed to supporting and promoting diversity in the workplace and consider all applications. Any salary advertised is for search purposes only. If you have not heard from us within 7 days you will have not been successful on this occasion, however, we would welcome your application for alternative vacancies.