CNC Applications Engineer

Optima UK Inc Ltd; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension

20 days holiday + statutory holidays

Ongoing training and development

Job summary

Optima UK Inc Ltd in Coventry invites an experienced CNC Milling Programmer/Applications Engineer to join our expanding precision engineering team. You will program, set and prove out CNC milling work, taking parts from drawing to first production.

This hands-on role requires practical machining expertise, problem solving at the machine, and close collaboration with Engineering and Production to improve cycle times, quality and productivity. Fanuc controls and CAD/CAM experience are essential.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a CNC milling programming role within a precision machining environment.
• Strong practical experience of CNC milling, including setting and proving out programmes.
• Experience with Fanuc controls.
• Ability to programme CNC milling machines from engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Strong understanding of cutting tools, tooling selection, speeds, feeds and machining strategies.
• Experience proving out new products and resolving machining issues at the machine.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, tolerances and GD&T.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve machining processes and reduce cycle times.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to manufacturing challenges.
• Experience working with low-volume/high-value or complex precision components.

Responsibilities

• Programme CNC milling machines for new and existing components.
• Set and operate CNC milling machines to prove out programmes and processes.
• Take new products from drawing through programming, setup, prove-out and into production.
• Develop efficient machining strategies, tooling and cutting parameters.
• Prove out first-off components and make programme/process adjustments where required.
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, dimensional and process issues.
• Optimise existing CNC programmes to improve cycle times, quality and repeatability.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality teams to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T and customer specifications.
• Select appropriate tooling, workholding and machining strategies.
• Support the introduction of new products and NPI projects.
• Carry out feasibility assessments and identify potential manufacturing issues before production.
• Assist with estimating machining times and manufacturing costs where required.
• Maintain accurate CNC programmes and associated manufacturing documentation.
• Support continuous improvement activities across the machining operation.
• Share technical knowledge and best practice with CNC operators and other members of the engineering team.

Skills

CNC milling programming

CNC setting

CNC milling

Fanuc controls

Drawing interpretation

GD&T

Problem solving

Low-volume/high-value

Education

HNC/HND engineering

Tools

Solidworks

Solidcam

Job description

CNC Applications Engineer

Location: Coventry, West Midlands
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 per annum + Benefits
Hours: Monday to Friday, Days
Industry: Precision Engineering / CNC Machining

About the Client

Our client is a leading provider of precision machining solutions to the automotive, heavy truck, rail, construction and trailer industries.

As part of their continued investment and expansion, they are relocating their engineering operation to Coventry and are looking to strengthen their CNC machining capability with an experienced CNC Milling Programmer / Applications Engineer.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced CNC milling professional who enjoys being involved in the complete machining process - from programming and setting through to proving out new products, solving manufacturing issues and improving existing processes.

The successful candidate will play an important role in introducing new work to the business and ensuring that machining processes are efficient, repeatable and commercially viable.

The Role

Working closely with the Engineering and Production teams, you will be responsible for programming, setting and proving out CNC milling work, with a particular focus on the successful introduction of new products into production.

You will use your practical machining knowledge to identify and resolve issues on the machine, optimise machining processes and improve cycle times, quality and productivity.

This is a hands-on position, rather than a purely office-based programming or applications role.

Key Responsibilities

• Programme CNC milling machines for new and existing components.
• Set and operate CNC milling machines to prove out programmes and processes.
• Take new products from drawing through programming, setup, prove-out and into production.
• Develop efficient machining strategies, tooling and cutting parameters.
• Prove out first-off components and make programme/process adjustments where required.
• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, dimensional and process issues.
• Optimise existing CNC programmes to improve cycle times, quality and repeatability.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and process improvement.
• Work closely with Production, Engineering and Quality teams to resolve manufacturing issues.
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T and customer specifications.
• Select appropriate tooling, workholding and machining strategies.
• Support the introduction of new products and NPI projects.
• Carry out feasibility assessments and identify potential manufacturing issues before production.li>
• Assist with estimating machining times and manufacturing costs where required.
• Maintain accurate CNC programmes and associated manufacturing documentation.
• Support continuous improvement activities across the machining operation.
• Share technical knowledge and best practice with CNC operators and other members of the engineering team.

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Proven experience in a CNC milling programming role within a precision machining environment.
• Strong practical experience of CNC milling, including setting and proving out programmes.
• Experience with Fanuc controls
• Ability to programme CNC milling machines from engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Strong understanding of cutting tools, tooling selection, speeds, feeds and machining strategies.
• Experience proving out new products and resolving machining issues at the machine.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, tolerances and GD&T.
• Ability to identify opportunities to improve machining processes and reduce cycle times.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a practical approach to manufacturing challenges.
• Experience working with low-volume/high-value or complex precision components.

Desirable

• Experience with Solidworks and Solidcam
• Experience machining cast iron castings.
• Experience within automotive, rail, heavy vehicle, construction or other precision engineering sectors.
• Experience with probing and tool measurement systems.
• HNC/HND or equivalent engineering qualification.
• Knowledge of APQP, PPAP, FAI or similar NPI processes.
• Experience working within ISO9001/IATF16949 environments.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is genuinely hands-on and enjoys machining.

This role would suit an experienced CNC Miller/Programmer who wants to take greater ownership of new product introduction and process development, rather than moving into a purely supervisory or office-based engineering position.

You should be comfortable getting involved at the machine, making adjustments, testing different approaches and finding practical solutions when a new component isn't machining as expected.

The ability to look at a drawing and understand how best to manufacture the component, then programme and prove that process on the machine, is central to the role.

What We Offer

• £45,000 - £55,000 salary depending on experience.
• Monday to Friday, day shift.
• Opportunity to play a key role in the relocation and development of the Coventry engineering operation.
• Exposure to a diverse range of technically challenging components and industries.
• Opportunity to influence machining processes and manufacturing capability.
• Career progression within a growing precision engineering business.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Company pension.
• 20 days holiday plus statutory holidays.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced CNC Milling Programmer / Miller who combines strong programming ability with practical machining expertise.

If you enjoy taking new products from drawing to finished component, proving out programmes at the machine and finding ways to make machining processes faster, more efficient and more reliable, we'd like to hear from you.