Sliding Head Lathe Engineer – Permanent Night Shift

Sliding Head Lathe Engineer – Permanent Night Shift

Location: Bolton area
Base Pay: £19.00 – £21.00 per hour
Night Shift Allowance: +30%
Shift: Monday – Thursday, 6:00pm – 6:00am
Training: Approximately 3 weeks on day shift
Job Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

An established and growing precision engineering and manufacturing business is looking for an experienced Sliding Head Lathe Engineer / CNC Setter, Operator & Programmer to join its production team on a permanent night shift.

This is an opportunity for an experienced sliding head machinist who is confident setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen CNC sliding head lathes, producing small, complex and high-precision components to demanding engineering standards.

The successful candidate will initially work on the day shift for approximately three weeks to complete training and familiarisation before moving onto the permanent night shift.

The Night Shift

Monday – Thursday: 6:00pm – 6:00am

The role attracts a 30% night-shift allowance in addition to the basic hourly rate.

Basic rate: £19.00 – £21.00 per hour
Plus: 30% night-shift allowance

This gives an enhanced rate of approximately £24.70 – £27.30 per hour when the night-shift allowance is applied.

The Role

As a Sliding Head Lathe Engineer, you'll be responsible for setting, operating and programming CNC sliding head lathes to produce precision components to drawing specifications, quality standards and production targets.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen sliding head lathes.

• Creating, proving and editing CNC programmes.

• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and route cards.

• Selecting and setting tooling, collets, guide bushes, bar feeds and machine offsets.

• Carrying out first-off inspections and regular in-process checks.

• Using micrometers, verniers, gauges, comparators and other inspection equipment.

• Maintaining tight tolerances and high standards of component quality.

• Identifying and resolving machining issues such as tool wear, chatter, swarf control and surface finish problems.

• Optimising cycle times, tooling life and machine performance.

• Supporting process improvements and new product introduction.

• Completing production and inspection documentation accurately.

• Carrying out basic machine maintenance and maintaining good housekeeping.

• Working safely and following company procedures.

About You

We're looking for an experienced Sliding Head CNC machinist with:

• Proven experience setting and operating CNC sliding head lathes.

• Strong programming ability, including editing and proving programmes at the machine.

• Experience with Star and/or Citizen machines.

• Strong knowledge of CNC turning and multi-axis machining.

• Experience with driven tooling, sub-spindles and bar-fed production.

• The ability to confidently read detailed engineering drawings.

• Experience machining small, complex, high-precision components.

• Strong knowledge of cutting tools, inserts, speeds and feeds and workholding.

• Experience carrying out accurate self-inspection.

• Strong problem-solving skills.

• A reliable and organised approach to production and quality.

Desirable Experience

It would be advantageous to have:

• Experience with Star and Citizen machine controls.

• Experience with offline programming packages.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S and OEE.

• Experience in high-volume batch production and frequent changeovers.

• Experience supporting or training other setters/operators.

The Person

We're looking for someone who:

• Takes pride in producing high-quality precision components.

• Has excellent attention to detail.

• Is practical, hands-on and confident solving problems at the machine.

• Works well independently and as part of a wider manufacturing team.

• Has good communication skills.

• Can remain calm and methodical under production pressure.

• Is flexible and committed to working the permanent night shift.

Training & Shift Transition

The successful candidate will start on the day shift for approximately three weeks to allow time for training, machine familiarisation and a smooth transition into the role.

Following successful completion of the training period, you will move onto the permanent night shift:

Monday – Thursday, 6:00pm – 6:00am

The night shift attracts a 30% shift allowance on top of the basic hourly rate.

Pay

£19.00 – £21.00 per hour + 30% night-shift allowance

Enhanced rate: £24.70 – £27.30 per hour

Apply Now

If you're an experienced Sliding Head Lathe Engineer / CNC Setter, Operator & Programmer looking for a permanent night-shift opportunity with an enhanced hourly rate and 30% shift allowance, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this opportunity.