Prototype CNC Machinist in Derby

Salary: £35,000–£45,000 (full-time equivalent), pro rata for 2–3 days per week initially dependant on experience

Term of Appointment: Part-Time

Location: Long-Eaton

Reporting: Head of R&D

Key Working Relationships (Internal): Head of R&D, Electronics Engineers, Software Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and the wider R&D Team

Key Working Relationships (External): Material suppliers, tooling suppliers and specialist machining partners.

Overall Responsibility: Manufacturing high-quality precision prototype components to support the rapid development of next-generation surgical devices.

Company Overview: Smart Surgical Appliances (SSA) is a UK medical technology company developing innovative surgical technologies designed to improve patient outcomes, increase surgical efficiency and reduce healthcare costs. Working at the forefront of minimally invasive surgery, SSA is developing advanced access devices, imaging technologies and robotic systems that are progressing from prototype development towards clinical evaluation and commercialisation.

Job Purpose: The Prototype CNC Machinist will play a key role in supporting the rapid development of SSA's surgical technologies through the manufacture of high-quality precision components. Unlike a traditional production machining role, this position focuses on one-off prototypes and small development batches where quality, accuracy and engineering judgement are more important than production throughput. Working closely with design engineers, the successful candidate will machine complex components from a variety of engineering materials while providing valuable manufacturing feedback that improves product designs. The role will involve approximately 80% CNC machining and component manufacture, with the remaining time supporting prototype assembly, workshop activities and continuous improvement of machining processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Programme, set and operate CNC milling machines to manufacture precision prototype components.
• Manufacture one-off and low-volume development parts from engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Select appropriate cutting tools, workholding methods and machining strategies.
• Inspect machined components to ensure dimensional accuracy and surface finish requirements are achieved.
• Work with engineers to optimise component designs for manufacturability.
• Modify and re-machine prototype components as designs evolve.
• Assist with prototype assembly where required.
• Maintain machine tools, tooling and workshop equipment.
• Order and manage machining consumables and raw materials.
• Maintain accurate machining records and engineering documentation.
• Ensure good housekeeping and safe workshop practices.
• Support rapid product development by delivering high-quality components within demanding project timescales.

Qualifications/Candidate Specification:

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK and should demonstrate that they possess the following attributes.

Essential Requirements:

• Apprenticeship, HNC/HND or equivalent experience in precision machining or manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years' CNC machining experience.
• Strong experience programming, setting and operating CNC milling machines.
• Ability to manufacture precision one-off components.
• Excellent understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience machining aluminium, stainless steel, engineering plastics and other prototype materials.
• High attention to detail.
• Strong inspection and measurement skills using precision metrology equipment.
• Practical problem-solving ability.
• Excellent workshop organisation and housekeeping.

Desirable Skills and Abilities:

• Experience machining miniature or precision medical device components.
• CAD/CAM experience (Fusion 360, SolidCAM, Mastercam, SolidWorks CAM or similar).
• Experience using SolidWorks.
• Manual milling and turning experience.
• Experience with 3D printing and rapid prototyping.
• Ability to suggest manufacturing improvements during product development.
• Experience working within an R&D or prototype environment.
• Familiarity with ISO 13485 quality systems.
• Experience working with titanium, PEEK or medical-grade polymers.
• Basic assembly and fitting skills.

Personality:

Self-driven, results-oriented with a positive outlook, and a clear focus on high quality. A natural forward planner who critically assesses own performance. Mature, credible, and comfortable in dealing with company executives. Creative, technically capable and highly motivated with a passion for building intuitive and visually compelling interactive systems. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced engineering environment where rapid iteration, experimentation and collaboration are essential.

Personal Situation:

• Must be mature and domestically secure.
• Able to spend one or two nights away without upsetting domestic situation.
• Able to commute reliably to office base.
• Able to work extended hours on occasions when required.
• Maybe striving financially but not desperate or in serious debt.
• Must have clean or near clean driving licence.

Management Ability:

Although the role has no direct management responsibility, the ability to mentor junior technicians and contribute positively within multidisciplinary engineering teams will be advantageous.