CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator
Location: Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire
Salary: £38,000 - £50,000 per annum (DOE)
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
Job Type: Permanent | Full Time
CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator

WF Tech is recruiting on behalf of a long-established precision engineering company with over 35 years of manufacturing excellence.
Renowned for producing complex, high-quality precision components, the company supplies a diverse customer base across demanding sectors including Aerospace, Oil & Gas, Defence, Medical and other advanced engineering industries. Through continued investment in cutting-edge technology, skilled engineers and lean manufacturing, they have built an outstanding reputation for quality, reliability and customer service.

Due to continued growth, they are looking to recruit an experienced CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator to join their highly skilled manufacturing team in Welwyn Garden City.
Working on modern Citizen M32 and L32 Sliding Head CNC lathes, you'll play a key role in producing complex precision components while supporting continuous improvement and maintaining the exceptional standards the business is known for.

The Role
You'll be responsible for setting, operating and optimising Citizen M32 and L32 Sliding Head lathes, ensuring components are manufactured efficiently, accurately and to the highest quality standards.
This role offers a varied workload across prototype, small batch and production work, manufacturing components for some of the world's most demanding engineering sectors.

Key Responsibilities
⦁ Set and operate Citizen M32 and L32 Sliding Head CNC lathes.
⦁ Set tooling, guide bushes, collets, work offsets and bar feeder parameters.
⦁ Edit and optimise CNC programs using Mitsubishi/Fanuc controls.
⦁ Prove out new jobs and optimise cycle times and surface finishes.
⦁ Produce first-off components and carry out in-process inspection.
⦁ Read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
⦁ Machine precision components to tight tolerances (typically ±0.01mm).
⦁ Optimise tooling, feeds, speeds and chip control to maximise efficiency.
⦁ Monitor tool life and carry out tooling changes as required.
⦁ Diagnose machining issues and support continuous improvement initiatives.
⦁ Complete production and quality documentation accurately.
⦁ Maintain excellent housekeeping and 5S standards while following all Health & Safety procedures.

About You
To be successful in this role you'll have:
⦁ Previous experience as a CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator.
⦁ Experience setting and operating Citizen Sliding Head lathes, ideally M32 and L32.
⦁ Confidence editing programs and adjusting offsets using Mitsubishi or Fanuc controls.
⦁ Excellent tooling knowledge including drilling, threading, grooving and parting operations.
⦁ Experience working with bar feeders and high-pressure coolant systems.
⦁ Ability to consistently produce components to tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes.
⦁ Strong understanding of engineering drawings and GD&T.
⦁ Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
⦁ A proactive approach with a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Desirable Experience
⦁ Live tooling and sub-spindle operations.
⦁ Manufacturing within Aerospace, Medical, Defence or Motorsport environments.
⦁ Continuous improvement methodologies including 5S, Kaizen and SMED.
⦁ Time-served apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering.
⦁ Citizen or OEM machine training.
⦁ Metrology or advanced inspection training.

What's on Offer
⦁ £38,000 - £50,000 per annum (depending on experience)
⦁ Monday to Friday day shift (8:00am – 4:30pm)
⦁ Enhanced overtime rates
⦁ Company pension
⦁ 22 days holiday plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 25 days after three years' service
⦁ Uniform provided
⦁ Free on-site parking
⦁ Long-term career progression within a successful and expanding precision engineering business
⦁ Opportunity to work with advanced Citizen Sliding Head technology on technically challenging, high-quality components

If you're an experienced CNC Sliding Head Setter/Operator looking to join a respected precision engineering company with an excellent reputation, a strong order book and a genuine commitment to investing in its people, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply today or contact WF Tech for a confidential discussion about this opportunity.
How to Apply
Do you have the experience? The company welcome a site visit to ensure you are happy with the role, the environment and the people you will work with!
If you would like to speak to someone regarding being booking an interview then please contact Daniel Waite on 07799 588461 for more information or send an email to dwaite@wftech.co.uk

Immediate starts are available!

Workforce Technical are responsible for placing skilled and in demand people on both a permanent and contract basis into the Engineering, Technical and Manufacturing sectors, from skilled Shop Floor Personnel and Specialist Engineers to Supervisory and Management positions. We are always searching for the best talent, so if you know anyone, why not recommend someone to one of our professional team who will be more than happy to help.

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