Sliding Head Lathe Engineer

Sliding Head Lathe Engineer

Location: Bolton area
Pay: £19.00 – £22.00 per hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Monday – Thursday: 7:30am – 4:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 1:00pm
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.

This is a skilled role for an experienced CNC machinist who is confident setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen sliding head lathes to manufacture small, complex and high-precision components.

You'll be working in a quality-focused production environment where accuracy, efficiency and the ability to solve problems at the machine are essential.

The Role

As a Sliding Head Lathe Engineer, you will be responsible for setting, operating and programming sliding head CNC 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 out and editing CNC programmes at the machine.

• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, customer specifications, route cards and inspection requirements.

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

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

• Using measuring equipment including micrometers, verniers, gauges and comparators.

• Maintaining tight tolerances and ensuring components meet dimensional and visual quality standards.

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

• Optimising cycle times, tooling life and machine performance.

• Supporting new product introduction and process improvement.

• Completing production and inspection documentation accurately.

• Carrying out basic machine maintenance and maintaining good housekeeping.

• Working safely and following all company health and safety 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 Citizen machines would be particularly beneficial.

• A strong understanding 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 and understand geometric tolerances and surface finish requirements.

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

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

• The ability to carry out accurate self-inspection.

• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to diagnose and correct machining issues.

• A reliable and organised approach to meeting production schedules while maintaining quality.

Desirable Experience

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience with Star and Citizen machine controls.

• Experience using offline programming packages.

• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S and OEE.

• Experience working within high-volume batch production and frequent changeovers.

• The ability to support or train less experienced setters and operators.

• Relevant forklift, crane or manual handling training.

The Person

You'll be someone who:

• Takes genuine pride in producing high-quality precision components.

• Has excellent attention to detail.

• Has a practical, hands-on approach and enjoys solving problems at the machine.

• Works well as part of a manufacturing team.

• Communicates effectively with production, engineering and quality colleagues.

• Remains calm and methodical under production pressure.

• Is flexible and able to adapt to changing production priorities.

Qualifications & Experience

An engineering apprenticeship, NVQ, City & Guilds, HNC or equivalent practical CNC machining experience would be desirable.

Relevant practical experience within CNC machining will be considered.

Pay & Hours

£19.00 – £22.00 per hour

37.5 hours per week:

• Monday – Thursday: 7:30am – 4:00pm

• Friday: 7:30am – 1:00pm

Apply Now

If you're an experienced Sliding Head Lathe Engineer / CNC Setter, Operator & Programmer looking for a new opportunity within a precision engineering environment, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today to be considered for this opportunity.