Lead Machining Technician – Mechanical Test Specimen Extraction in Cambridge

## Lead Machining Technician – Mechanical Test Specimen ExtractionApply: Cambridge, UK: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 4, 2026 (16 days left to apply): JR100862Lead Specimen Extraction Laboratory Technician# Lead Machining Technician – Mechanical Test Specimen Extraction# MPL**Location**: Cambridge**Contract**: Permanent**Hours**: Full time**Job Profile**: Up to Lead Laboratory Technician**Salary/annum**: £30,000-£50,000.**Reference number**: JR100862**Closing Date**: 04 October 2026**Security requirements:** Security Clearance, BPSS and DBS may be required.**Note**: Applicants might receive offers and undergo interviews before the deadline, although the position will remain available for at least seven days. We recommend submitting your application for this role as soon as you can during the recruitment process, prior to the closing date.**Description of role:**Are you an experienced machinist who can independently produce close-tolerance metallic components from engineering drawings?Do you have experience in mechanical specimen preparation and an understanding of testing requirements?We are seeking an experienced precision machinist to lead the extraction and manufacture of engineering-material specimens used for mechanical testing. This is a hands-on precision-engineering workshop role. In this context, “specimens” means machined test pieces manufactured from engineering materials for destructive mechanical testing; it does not refer to pharmaceutical, biological, clinical or analytical samples. Typical work may include the manufacture of tensile, Charpy impact, fracture-toughness, fatigue, bend and weld test specimens.You will work closely with Engineers, Scientists and project teams to translate testing standards and specifications into accurate, manufacturable specimen geometries using manual, CNC and electrical-discharge machining processes, including:* Turning and milling* Surface or cylindrical grinding* Sawing and sectioning* Wire EDM and/or spark erosion* CNC machiningYou will act as the technical focal point for specimen machining, selecting appropriate extraction and machining methods, planning work, resolving practical manufacturing issues and verifying that completed specimens meet dimensional, surface-finish, orientation and traceability requirements. You will also support quotations, client discussions, safe systems of work and continuous improvement within the machining area.This role is suited to someone who enjoys applying machining expertise to practical challenges, while contributing to continuous improvement and leading best practice within a collaborative laboratory environment.**What you’ll be doing*** Planning the extraction of mechanical test specimens from engineering components, weldments, plate and other engineering-material stock by interpreting applicable test standards and specifications* Setting and operating CNC mills and lathes, EDM equipment and relevant cutting, grinding or finishing equipment* Technical Leadership of specimen extraction activities and machining operations* Liaising with internal teams and clients to define technical requirements* Supporting quotation preparation and planning work allocation* Inspecting completed specimens and confirming compliance with dimensional, surface-finish, orientation, identification and traceability requirements* Maintaining technical documentation, records and traceability* Leading safe working practices, risk assessments and adherence to procedures* Driving continuous improvement, efficiency and good housekeeping practices**What you bring*** Substantial hands-on experience independently setting and operating CNC milling, turning and/or EDM equipment to machine metallic and other engineering materials.* Demonstrable experience machining high-precision components to close tolerances and verifying their conformity using calibrated dimensional-inspection equipment.* Experience interpreting mechanical-testing standards, engineering drawings and technical specifications, and translating them into practical machining plans* Strong understanding of quality assurance and documentation requirements* Confidence working independently and solving practical problems* Strong commitment to safety, quality and professional standards**Bonus points for*** Experience in a research, laboratory or low-volume/high-complexity production environment* Experience in client-facing activities or quotation preparation* Familiarity with continuous improvement tools (e.g. 5S, Lean principles)**Safety First*** You’ll be part of a team that values safety, quality, and collaboration. You will be expected to work to established procedures, contribute to risk and COSHH assessments, and actively promote a strong safety culture within the team, but we’ll support you with the training and tools you need to succeed.If you're ready to take your engineering career to the next level in a role that’s both challenging and rewarding, apply now and help us shape the future of technical excellence.Please note that this is a technical leadership role and does not include direct line-management responsibility #J-18808-Ljbffr