Lead CNC Programmer Machinist - #2165483

About the role

We're building a new Isembard CNC manufacturing site in Leeds and are looking for an exceptional CNC Programming and Machining Lead to become one of the founding members of the team.

This is a hands-on role.

Initially, you'll be responsible for taking complex components from drawing through to finished part: CAM programming, tooling and workholding strategy, setting, first-off prove-out, inspection and cycle-time optimisation.

As the factory grows, so will the role. You'll help establish the machining standards, processes and culture of the site, support the introduction of additional machines and automation, and ultimately help build and develop the machining team around you.

We're looking for someone who combines deep machining knowledge with the curiosity and ambition to help build a modern manufacturing operation from the ground up.

Who you are

An experienced CNC machinist/programmer who is equally comfortable at a computer developing a toolpath and standing at the machine proving it out. (ideally Hypermill or MasterCAM)

Machining and programming

•   Strong CNC machining and CAM programming experience — programming, simulating, setting and proving out operations across a growing range of machine tools

•   Confident programming, setting and operating CNC mills

•   A strong understanding of feeds, speeds, cutting tools and machining strategy, with excellent knowledge of workholding and fixturing

•   Developing CAM programs, tooling strategies, cutting parameters and workholding solutions

Precision and quality

•   Machining to tight tolerances, including ±0.01 mm and below where required

•   The ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T

•   Manufacturing complex, high-precision components for aerospace, defence, energy and other critical industries

•   High standards of workmanship and attention to detail, driving first-time-right manufacturing

Ownership from drawing to repeat production

•   Experience taking new components from engineering drawing through first-off manufacture and into repeatable production

•   Optimising cycle times, setups and machine utilisation

•   Supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) and providing DFM feedback

•   A practical approach to problem solving and process improvement

•   The ability to operate independently and take ownership of technical decisions

Building the site

•   Establishing machining standards and best practice for a new factory

•   Working with probing, inspection and process-control systems to create repeatable manufacturing processes

•   Helping introduce automation, pallet systems and unattended machining as the site develops

•   Working closely with Isembard's engineering and MasonOS teams to improve manufacturing data, scheduling and automation

•   An interest in developing and mentoring others — helping recruit, mentor and develop machinists as the operation grows

Particularly valuable experience

Experience in all of these areas isn't essential, but we'd particularly like to hear from people with:

•   5-axis simultaneous machining experience

•   Turning / mill-turn experience

•   Aerospace, defence or other high-specification manufacturing experience

•   Titanium, Inconel, stainless steel and other challenging materials

•   Probing and in-process measurement

•   CMM and inspection processes

•   Pallet systems or automated machine tending

•   Lights-out / unattended machining

•   AS9100 or ISO 9001 quality systems

•   Robotics and factory automation

•   Data-driven manufacturing

Why join?

This isn't a role where you'll inherit a factory that's been doing things the same way for twenty years. You'll have the opportunity to help build one from the beginning.

You'll be the site's senior machining specialist and will have genuine influence over how we approach programming, tooling, workholding, inspection, automation and continuous improvement.

As the site expands, there will also be an opportunity to help build and lead the technical team around you.

You'll have access to advanced machine tools, modern manufacturing technology and the wider engineering capability of the Isembard network.

About Isembard

Isembard is on a mission to forge industrial acceleration.

We enable faster and cheaper production for critical industries by combining advanced machine tools, robotics and proprietary software, MasonOS.

The components we manufacture support aerospace, defence, energy and other strategically important industries.