Manufacturing Engineer Machining Lead

Overview

As Lead Machining Manufacturing Engineer, you steer CNC machining strategy and advanced tooling within Operations Engineering. You act as the technical focal point for machining, driving efficiency, yield, and cycle-time improvements for high-precision components. You collaborate across Design, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and Ops to build robust, scalable machining processes for both prototype and production. This role shapes the technology roadmap for machining and ensures alignment with engineering needs and industry developments. You lead with deep multi-axis expertise and a focus on continuous improvement to enable manufacturing excellence.

Responsibilities

• Lead CNC machining strategy development across the department
• Develop and improve functional operating processes and integrate them into governing processes
• Own and advance the technology roadmap for machining for the department
• Develop, optimize, and validate CNC programs for 3-, 4-, and 5-axis machines
• Develop, optimize, and validate CNC programs for standard and mill-turn lathes
• Design and implement advanced fixturing and work holding solutions
• Select and optimize cutting tools, tooling strategies, and machining parameters
• Establish best practices for machining operations, setup reduction, tooling management, and standardisation
• Support NPI activities through Design for Manufacture (DFM)
• Troubleshoot complex machining and tooling issues and implement corrective actions
• Collaborate with Quality to ensure tolerances, inspection requirements, and standards
• Develop and maintain manufacturing documentation (setup sheets, tooling lists, process flows, work instructions)
• Lead continuous improvement using Lean and Six Sigma where appropriate
• Support capital equipment selection, commissioning, and validation for new CNC machinery and automation
• Ensure machining activities comply with health, safety, and environmental standards

Key requirements

• Minimum 5 years’ CNC manufacturing or precision machining experience
• Mastery of 3-, 4-, and 5-axis CNC programming and processes
• Expert-level proficiency in HyperMill
• Strong understanding of machining strategies for complex geometries and tight tolerances
• Deep knowledge of metallurgy, machinability, cutting tools, feeds and speeds, and chip control
• Extensive experience with advanced work holding and fixture design
• Strong GD&T and engineering drawing interpretation
• Proven efficiency improvements for cycle time, tool life, surface finish, and dimensional capability
• Experience in low-volume/high-complexity or high-precision environments
• Knowledge of Lean, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement
• Ability to troubleshoot in a fast-paced setting
• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration
• Experience with ERP/MRP and manufacturing documentation systems
• Experience leading a team of engineers and technicians
• Degree, HNC/HND, apprenticeship, or equivalent in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Precision Engineering

• cross-functional collaboration
• problem-solving
• strong communication
• HyperMill
• 3/4/5-axis CNC programming
• fixture design and modular fixturing

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