CNC Manufacturing Engineer

Iexpe; Salisbury; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Thor Industries Ltd in Salisbury seeks a versatile CNC Manufacturing Engineer to join a small, defence-focused team. You'll program, set up and operate multi-axis CNC machines, develop and optimise CNC programs, and manufacture precision components from metals, plastics and composites.

The role covers design support, prototyping, inspection, and maintenance in a fast-moving environment, with varied activities from programming to manual machining, assembly and range testing; candidates must be

Qualifications

• Experience in multi-axis CNC programming, setting and operation.
• Strong machining knowledge, including manual milling, turning, grinding and bench fitting.
• Engineering numeracy and a methodical problem-solving approach.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and engineering principles.
• Ability to inspect finished components to exacting quality standards.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to comply with strict safety, regulatory and security requirements
• Experience within defence, aerospace or other highly regulated industries.
• Wire EDM programming and operation experience.
• ONE CNC experience.
• SOLIDWORKS knowledge.
• Professional engineering qualifications or memberships.

Responsibilities

• Programming, setting and operating CNC machinery.
• Developing and optimising CNC programs to improve efficiency and performance.
• Manufacturing precision components from a range of metals, plastics and composite materials.
• Supporting design, prototyping and product development activities.
• Reviewing engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Conducting fault-finding, repairs and preventative maintenance on workshop equipment.
• Carrying out quality inspections using micrometers, verniers and gauges.
• Supporting workshop organisation, material handling and inventory control.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across production operations.

Skills

Multi-axis CNC programming

CNC programming

Machining knowledge

Engineering numeracy

SOLIDWORKS

Wire EDM

ONE CNC

Driving licence

Education

Professional engineering qualifications or memberships

Job description

Thor Industries Ltd
Thor Industries Ltd is a specialist engineering company based near Salisbury, Wiltshire. Established in 2020, our capabilities cover research and development; prototyping; design; mechanical and electrical engineering; safety and suitability testing and specialist training.

We require a committed colleague to join our innovative team.

CNC Manufacturing Engineer
Full Time | Monday to Friday | 40 Hours per Week
Join a Small Team Delivering Big Engineering Solutions

We’re looking for a skilled and adaptable CNC Manufacturing Engineer to join our growing defence manufacturing business based in Salisbury. This is an exciting opportunity to work on the development and manufacture of robust mechanical components designed to perform in some of the world’s most demanding environments.

Unlike larger organisations where roles can become highly specialised, this position offers genuine variety. We need an engineer who enjoys getting involved in all aspects of manufacturing, from CNC programming and machining through to manual machining, assembly, maintenance, inspection and general workshop activities.

If you’re someone who takes pride in solving practical engineering challenges, enjoys hands- on work and thrives in a fast moving environment, we’d love to hear from you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Programming, setting and operating CNC machinery.
• Developing and optimising CNC programs to improve efficiency and performance.
• Manufacturing precision components from a range of metals, plastics and composite materials.
• Supporting design, prototyping and product development activities.
• Reviewing engineering drawings and CAD models.
• Conducting fault-finding, repairs and preventative maintenance on workshop equipment.
• Carrying out quality inspections using micrometers, verniers and gauges.
• Supporting workshop organisation, material handling and inventory control.
• Contributing to continuous improvement initiatives across production operations.

This is not a desk based engineering role! We’e a small business, and that means everyone contributes wherever needed. Success in this role requires a flexible and practical mindset. One day you may be programming a CNC machine or developing a prototype; the next you could be carrying out manual machining, fitting and assembly work, supporting maintenance activities, moving materials, or assisting with outdoor testing and range activities. We’re looking for someone who is happy to roll up their sleeves and get involved across the business, rather than someone seeking a narrowly defined engineering role.

The role will involve:

• Manual handling and lifting.
• Workshop and assembly work.
• Equipment setup and maintenance.
• Outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
• Range-based activities and testing support.
• Adapting to changing priorities driven by customer requirements.

What We’re Looking For
Essential

• Experience in multi-axis CNC programming, setting and operation.
• Strong machining knowledge, including manual milling, turning, grinding and bench fitting.
• Engineering numeracy and a methodical problem-solving approach.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes and engineering principles.
• Ability to inspect finished components to exacting quality standards.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to comply with strict safety, regulatory and security requirements
• Experience within defence, aerospace or other highly regulated industries.
• Wire EDM programming and operation experience.
• ONE CNC experience.
• SOLIDWORKS knowledge.
• Professional engineering qualifications or memberships.

Why Join Us?
Working for a small, specialist defence manufacturer offers benefits that larger organisations often cannot provide:

• Varied and interesting work with no two days the same.
• Greater responsibility and influence on projects from concept through to manufacture.
• Exposure to a broad range of engineering disciplines, helping accelerate your professional development.
• Direct access to decision makers and the opportunity to make a visible impact.
• A close knit team environment where your contribution genuinely matters.
• Opportunity to work on unique defence technologies and challenging engineering projects.
• Practical, hands-on engineering rather than being confined to a desk or a single process.

Due to the nature of our work, applicants must:

• Hold, or be eligible to obtain, UK Security Clearance (SC).
• Be able to satisfy nationality requirements relating to export control regulations.
• Successfully complete security, DBS and background checks.
• Have the right to work in the UK.

Interested?
If you’re an adaptable engineer who enjoys combining CNC expertise with hands on manufacturing, practical workshop activities and field based support work, we’d like to hear from you.

Apply now and become part of a team engineering

Interested?

Use the form below to submit your details and we’ll get back to you.