Cnc machineist

CWM ENGINEERING LTD; Cross Hands; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£4,000 joining and retention bonus

Company pension

Free on-site parking

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

CWM Engineering in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire, is seeking a highly capable, hands-on CNC machinist to become a key technical presence in the workshop. You will primarily set and operate CNC machines, manage varied 3-, 4- and 5-axis set-ups, and prove out first-offs with safe, efficient, repeatable results.

The role demands sound CNC programming capability, the ability to adjust feeds, speeds and offsets at the machine, and the confidence to support colleagues on the shop floor in a

Qualifications

• Experience in CNC milling with multi-axis setup.
• Able to read drawings and 3D models accurately.
• Hands-on programming; capable of editing at the machine.
• Prove out first-offs safely and efficiently.

Responsibilities

• Set and operate CNC machines for a changing range of precision components.
• Work across varied materials, geometries and tooling.
• Set tools, datums and offsets; prove out first-off components.
• Read drawings and 3D models.
• Edit and improve CNC programmes at the machine.
• Produce simple programmes from scratch when required.
• Maintain a safe, clean, quality-focused workshop.

Skills

CNC machining experience

3-, 4- and 5-axis machining

CNC programming

Reading drawings & 3D models

Inspection / measurement skills

Problem solving

Lead setter-operator capability

Tools

Micrometers

Verniers

Gauges

Job description

Employment: Full-time, permanent, on-site

£4,000 Joining and Retention Bonus

£1,000 after your first month, £1,000 after six months and £2,000 after twelve months.

About CWM Engineering

CWM Engineering is a family-owned precision engineering business based in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire. We machine high-quality components for demanding customers, working across a wide range of materials, geometries, batch sizes and machining challenges.

This is not repetitive production machining. Our work changes constantly: new parts, difficult materials, varying workholding and set-ups, and components requiring thought, judgement and practical problem-solving.

The Role

We are looking for a highly capable, hands-on CNC machinist to become a key technical presence within our workshop.

You will primarily set and operate CNC machines, take ownership of complex and varied set-ups—including 3-, 4- and 5-axis work- prove out new work, solve problems at the machine and help maintain high standards across the section.

This is a lead setter-operator role. The "lead" element comes from technical breadth, calm problem-solving and the ability to take ownership of difficult work-not simply from years served or a management title.

You must have sound CNC programming knowledge and the machining judgement to recognise when a programme, tool, fixture or process needs improving. You will be confident making sensible adjustments at the machine—including feeds, speeds, offsets and programme edits—to achieve a safe, efficient and repeatable result.

Where appropriate, you will be able to produce simpler programmes from scratch and provide programming cover when required. The key requirement is practical, hands-on programming capability combined with strong setting and machining experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and operate CNC machines for a constantly changing range of precision components.
• Work across varied materials, geometries, workholding methods and machining challenges.
• Set tools, fixtures, datums and offsets; prove out first-off components safely and efficiently, including complex multi-axis and 5-axis set-ups where required.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and 3D models.
• Edit, improve and prove out CNC programmes at the machine, including feeds, speeds, offsets and practical programme changes.
• Produce straightforward programmes from scratch where required.
• Recognise when tooling, workholding, programme strategy or process method needs changing.
• Select suitable cutting tools, speeds, feeds and machining approaches.
• Inspect work using micrometers, verniers, gauges and other measuring equipment.
• Help less-experienced colleagues solve practical machining and set-up issues.
• Maintain a safe, organised and quality-focused work area.

What We Are Looking For

We are particularly interested in machinists who have worked in a job-shop, subcontract precision engineering or high-mix/low-volume environment - where they have regularly set up new and varied work rather than repeatedly running the same established production parts.

You should have:

• Strong, demonstrable CNC machining experience, particularly CNC milling.
• Experience setting up a broad variety of parts from drawings.
• Experience with 3-, 4- and 5-axis machining, including confident hands-on setting and proving out of 5-axis work. Turning or mill-turn experience would also be valuable.
• Confidence editing, proving out and troubleshooting CNC programmes at the machine.
• Strong practical knowledge of workholding, tooling, cutting conditions and machining problem-solving.
• Excellent drawing-reading and inspection skills.
• A calm, methodical and quality-focused approach.
• The confidence to support colleagues and set a good technical example on the shop floor.

What We Offer

• A varied, technically interesting role where no two weeks are the same.
• A competitive package based on relevant experience and capability.
• £4,000 staged joining and retention bonus.
• Modern equipment, varied work and the opportunity to influence how work is set and run.
• Company pension, free on-site parking, training and development opportunities.
• Stable, supportive and professional working environment.

• At interview, we will be interested in examples of varied set-ups- including 5-axis work where applicable - difficult materials, first-off components and machining problems you have successfully solved.