CAM Project Engineer

Safran; Preston; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37 hour working week

Flexi-time scheme

33 days annual leave

Pension 10%

Private medical insurance

Life insurance

Income protection

Career development

On-site catering

Job summary

Safran Nacelles in Burnley is seeking a CAM Project Engineer to develop and optimise advanced aerospace manufacturing processes across CNC machining and robotic systems. You will support 5-axis CNC programming, laser ply projection, robotic cells, laser welding, laser cutting, and sheet metal manufacturing to deliver safe, repeatable, and cost-effective production solutions.

The role requires collaboration across Manufacturing, Operations, Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and suppliers

Qualifications

• Manufacturing Engineering experience within a high-performance manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining and CAM programming.
• Experience with robotic cells and automated manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of composite and/or sheet metal manufacturing.
• Engineering Degree, HND, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with PFMEA, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across technical and operational teams.
• Hands-on approach to supporting manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimise CNC and robotic manufacturing processes.
• Support 5-axis CNC programming, laser ply projection, laser welding, and laser cutting activities.
• Define and validate manufacturing methods, tooling, and work instructions.
• Create production support documentation, tooling requests, and engineering drawings.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are compliant with engineering specifications and quality requirements.
• Design processes with a focus on TAKT, flow, ergonomics, and operational efficiency.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing teams and production cells.
• Lead process improvement and lean manufacturing projects.
• Analyse quality, cost, and delivery performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in QRQC, 8D, DMAIC, and structured problem-solution activities.
• Support rate readiness reviews and capital investment projects.
• Manage manufacturing risk using PFMEA methodologies.
• Utilise SPC and process control techniques to ensure stable and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Support the introduction of new products, technologies, and manufacturing equipment.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical challenges.

Skills

CNC programming

CAM programming

Robotics

Composite manufacturing

PFMEA

SPC

Lean manufacturing

Problem solving

Cross-functional communication

Hands-on support

Education

Engineering Degree

HND

Apprenticeship

Tools

CATIA V5

Delmia

ISO code

VBA

C++

ERP

PLM

Job description

We are continually investing in advanced manufacturing technologies, automation, digitalisation, and process innovation to ensure we remain at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing. As part of this commitment, we are seeking an experienced CAM Project Engineer to join our engineering team in Burnley.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence the future of advanced manufacturing within a global aerospace organisation while working with cutting-edge CNC machining, robotics, composites, sheet metal technologies, laser processing systems, and automated production equipment.

About the Role

As a CAM Project Engineer, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, supporting, and continuously improving advanced manufacturing processes across a range of aerospace products and technologies.

Working at the intersection of Manufacturing Engineering, CNC Programming, Automation, Robotics, and Industrialisation, you will play a key role in ensuring products are manufactured safely, efficiently, repeatably, and cost-effectively while meeting stringent aerospace quality requirements.

The role involves close collaboration with Manufacturing, Operations, Design Engineering, Quality, Supply Chain, and external suppliers to support the industrialisation of new products, optimise existing processes, improve operational performance, and introduce innovative manufacturing technologies.

A significant focus of the position will be supporting:

• 5-axis CNC programming
• Laser ply projection systems
• Robotic manufacturing cells
• Laser welding processes
• Laser cutting processes
• Composite manufacturing technologies
• Sheet metal manufacturing technologies
• Advanced process control techniques

You will be expected to combine strong technical capability with practical problem-solving skills, helping to bridge the gap between engineering design and production delivery.

Working at the forefront of aerospace manufacturing, you will be responsible for developing, programming, and supporting advanced manufacturing processes across CNC machining and robotic systems. This role will focus on laser ply projection, 5-axis CNC programming, robotic cells, laser welding, laser cutting, and sheet metal manufacturing processes, helping to deliver safe, repeatable, and cost-effective solutions that support world-class aerospace production.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacturing Process Development

• Develop and optimise CNC and robotic manufacturing processes.
• Support 5-axis CNC programming, laser ply projection, laser welding, and laser cutting activities.
• Define and validate manufacturing methods, tooling, and work instructions.
• Create production support documentation, tooling requests, and engineering drawings.
• Ensure manufacturing processes are compliant with engineering specifications and quality requirements.
• Design processes with a focus on TAKT, flow, ergonomics, and operational efficiency.

Production & Continuous Improvement

• Provide technical support to manufacturing teams and production cells.
• Lead process improvement and lean manufacturing projects.
• Analyse quality, cost, and delivery performance metrics and implement corrective actions.
• Participate in QRQC, 8D, DMAIC, and structured problem-solution activities.
• Support rate readiness reviews and capital investment projects.

Industrialisation & Risk Management

• Manage manufacturing risk using PFMEA methodologies.
• Utilise SPC and process control techniques to ensure stable and repeatable manufacturing performance.
• Support the introduction of new products, technologies, and manufacturing equipment.
• Collaborate with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve technical challenges.

Qualifications

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including

• Manufacturing Engineering experience within a high-performance manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of CNC machining and CAM programming.
• Experience with robotic cells and automated manufacturing processes.
• Knowledge of composite and/or sheet metal manufacturing.
• Engineering Degree, HND, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
• Experience with PFMEA, SPC, Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively across technical and operational teams.
• Hands-on approach to supporting manufacturing operations.

Desirable Skills

• CATIA V5 experience.
• Delmia experience.
• Experience with laser welding, laser cutting, and laser ply projection technologies.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as ISO code, VBA, C++, or similar.
• Experience with ERP, PLM, and manufacturing information systems.
• Aerospace manufacturing experience.
• Toolmaking background or apprenticeship.

Competitive salary

• 37 hour working week over 4.5 days with a 1pm finish on Friday (role dependent)
• Flexi-time scheme that allows you to take two half days or one full day off per month (role dependent)
• 33 days annual leave [inclusive of bank holidays]
• Option to purchase an additional 5 days of annual leave
• 10% employer pension contribution
• 5% employee contribution with the option to increase this voluntarily through tax efficient salary exchange
• 4 x life insurance benefit as a member of the pension scheme
• Non-contributory BUPA private medical insurance plan (role dependent)
• Group income protection scheme
• We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities.
• Enhanced sickness, maternity, adoption and paternity leave
• Excellent on-site catering facilities offering subsidised hot and cold breakfast and lunch

If you're a Manufacturing Engineer, CNC Programmer, CAM Engineer, Robotics Engineer, or Process Engineer looking to develop your career in advanced aerospace manufacturing, we'd love to hear from you.

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Safran Nacelles is a worldwide leader in aircraft engine nacelles. Our expertise covers nacelle design, manufacturing, integration, maintenance and services. Our site in Burnley provides employment for almost 700 people and we are proud to be one of the largest private sector employers in Burnley., Safran - Here, We Craft Excellence TogetherAt Safran, excellence is a journey, and we'd love you to be part of it.

Safran Nacelles is a world leader in aircraft nacelle design, manufacturing, integration, maintenance and support. Our products can be found on a wide range of aircraft programmes across the global aerospace industry, from regional and business jets through to some of the world's most advanced commercial aircraft.