CNC & Manual Grinder Operator in Farnborough

Who are we:

Auxitrol Weston Operating Unit (OU) consists of 3 manufacturing plants, Auxitrol SA S (France), Weston Aerospace Ltd (UK), Auxitrol Weston (Mexico), with 3 R&D departments in France, UK and Norwich Aero Products Inc (US) along with 4 repair capabilities in France, UK, US & Singapore.

Weston Aerospace Ltd has approximately 188 employees at Farnborough whose responsibilities are to design and manufacture temperature, speed and pressure sensors for gas turbine and airframe applications.

We have extensive environmental test facilities to verify our products’ performance, replicating and exceeding hostile operating conditions.

We have another smaller manufacturing site dedicated to analogue indicators, based in Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire with 14 employees.

Role & Job Summary:

Job Purpose

Operate CNC and manual grinding machines to produce precision components to engineering drawings, specified tolerances and surface-finish requirements. Maintain consistent quality, accurate records and safe working practices while meeting agreed production priorities.

Key Responsibilities

CNC grinding

• Load and unload components, check work holding and use the correct approved programme and job documentation.
• Verify machine settings and first-off components in accordance with the inspection plan before continuing production.
• Monitor grinding cycles, wheel condition and dressing requirements; make permitted offset adjustments to maintain size and finish.
• Stop and report alarms, abnormal machine behavior or process deviations; refer programme changes outside authorised limits to the setter or engineer.

Manual grinding

• Prepare and operate assigned manual grinding machines, such as surface or cylindrical grinders, within demonstrated competence.
• Secure and align components using approved fixtures, chucks or centres; check alignment and work holding before grinding.
• Apply approved feeds, speeds and stock-removal allowances to achieve the required dimensions, geometry and finish.
• Select, mount, balance, true or dress grinding wheels only where trained and authorised, following the applicable machine and wheel instructions.

Safety and Operating Authority

• Follow site risk assessments, safe systems of work and machine instructions; operate equipment only after appropriate training and authorisation.
• Check guards and safety devices as instructed. Never bypass interlocks or use damaged wheels or defective equipment.
• Follow approved abrasive-wheel selection, handling, storage and mounting arrangements; refer wheel changes to authorised personnel where outside the role’s competence.
• Use prescribed protective equipment and extraction systems. Follow controls for grinding dust, coolant mist, skin contact, noise and manual handling.
• Follow approved isolation procedures before cleaning, clearing obstructions or maintenance where required; never reach into moving machinery.
• Keep machines and work areas orderly, deal with spills safely and dispose of grinding waste and fluids through approved routes.

Quality and Production

• Interpret engineering drawings, tolerances, surface-finish symbols and work instructions.
• Inspect components using suitable calibrated equipment, including micrometers, bore gauges and dial indicators, as applicable.
• Complete first-off, in-process and final checks within the scope of authorisation; record results and maintain component and batch traceability.
• Identify and segregate non-conforming parts. Report defects such as chatter, grinding burn, poor finish or dimensional variation and support investigation.
• Complete production records and shift handovers, highlighting quantities, outstanding work, tooling concerns and machine faults.
• Carry out authorised cleaning, lubrication and coolant checks; report maintenance needs and support improvements that reduce scrap and rework.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Practical experience operating CNC and manual precision grinding equipment relevant to the assigned work.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and work to specified dimensional and surface-finish requirements.
• Competence in precision measurement, basic engineering calculations and accurate record keeping.
• Understanding of grinding-wheel condition, work holding and the effect of routine adjustments on component quality.
• Careful, safety-conscious working habits, clear communication and a willingness to stop and elevate concerns.
• Ability to organise work and collaborate with Production, Quality and Maintenance.

Desirable

• Relevant engineering apprenticeship, vocational qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Experience of surface, external cylindrical or internal grinding, according to the employer’s machine range.
• Training in abrasive-wheel mounting and dressing.
• Familiarity with geometric tolerancing, surface-finish measurement and controlled manufacturing documentation.
• Experience of CNC setting or programme editing, where this is included in the authorised role.

Competencies

• Customer Focus Knows and understands the needs of internal and external customers. Is results oriented and works hard to consistently provide exceptional service.
• Ethics and Values Adheres to an effective set of core values and beliefs and acts in accordance. Rewards the right values and disapproves of others.
• Problem Solving Looks beyond the obvious to find effective solutions.
• Integrity and Trust Widely trusted and seen as direct and truthful.
• Functional/Technical Skills Possesses the skills to be effective in the job. Has the skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Listening Practices active and attentive listening, able to hear others.
• Action-oriented Full of energy, willing to take action.
• Composure Cool under pressure, not knocked off balance by the unexpected, is a settling influence
• Values Diversity Supports fair and equal treatment for all.