CNC Turner - Setter/Operator

G&H (Gooch & Housego); Ilminster; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Shift premium uplift (20%)

Overtime pay

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Pension contributions 6%

Company bonus scheme

Health cash plan

£500 referral bonus

Job summary

Gooch & Housego Ilminster in Somerset is seeking a skilled CNC Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) Operator to set up and run ultra-precision diamond turning machines, producing optical components to tight tolerances.

You will work Monday to Friday with rotational shifts after training, and benefit from a generous package including a 20% shift uplift, overtime pay, pension contributions, and a company bonus scheme.

Qualifications

• Proven experience operating CNC Single Point Diamond Turning machines; or experience in other CNC turning
• CNC programming skills including G-code (desirable)
• Experience with ultra-precision materials (e.g. aluminium alloys, copper, nickel-phosphorus, optical polymers)
• Excellent understanding of tolerances, form accuracy, and surface roughness
• High level of detail and methodical working approach
• Ability to work independently in a clean, controlled environment

Responsibilities

• Interpret drawings, CAD data, and surface finish specs
• Select and handle diamond tooling to maintain tool integrity
• Achieve nanometre-level surface finishes and sub-micron tolerances
• Conduct first-off, in-process, and final inspections with precision metrology
• Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, cleanliness)
• Adjust machine parameters to optimise surface quality, accuracy and cycle times
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, and fault diagnosis
• Collaborate with engineering, metrology, and quality teams for continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate production and inspection records

Skills

CNC turning

CNC programming (G-code)

Ultra-precision materials

Tolerances & surface finish

Attention to detail

Independent working

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Description

CNC Single Point Diamond Turning Setter/Operator

G&H Ilminster, Somerset

Full-Time, Permanent | Monday to Friday

Rotational shift work after training (with a 20% shift premium)

Are you experienced in CNC turning?

Looking for a role in a cutting-edge, world-class optics company?

If so, we want to hear from you!

We are seeking a highly skilled CNC Single Point Diamond Turning (SPDT) Operator to manufacture ultra-precision components to extremely tight tolerances and surface finish requirements. The successful candidate will be responsible for setting up, and operating CNC diamond turning machines to produce high-quality optical and precision-engineered parts.

About Us

G&H is a global leader in optical design, testing, and manufacturing. As experts in the technology of light, we provide high-performance optical systems, assemblies, and components for a wide range of demanding applications. In our Diamond Turning department, we produce custom lenses for imaging, focusing, collimation, and illumination. Our work involves crafting spherical, semi-spherical, and aspheric lenses using state-of-the-art 5-axis grinding and polishing machines.

As a CNC Diamond Turning Operator, You Will

• Interpret ultra-precision engineering drawings, CAD data, and surface finish specifications
• Select and handle diamond tooling with extreme care to maintain tool integrity
• Achieve nanometre-level surface finishes and sub-micron tolerances
• Conduct first-off, in-process, and final inspections using precision metrology equipment
• Monitor and control environmental conditions (temperature, vibration, cleanliness)
• Adjust machine parameters to optimise surface quality, accuracy, and cycle times
• Perform routine maintenance, calibration checks, and fault diagnosis
• Work closely with engineering, metrology, and quality teams to support continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate production and inspection records

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• Proven experience operating CNC Single Point Diamond Turning machines; or experience in other CNC turning
• CNC programming skills, including G-code and/or machine-specific controls (desirable, but not essential)
• Experience working with ultra-precision materials (e.g. aluminium alloys, copper, nickel-phosphorus, optical polymers)
• Exceptional understanding of tolerances, form accuracy, and surface roughness
• High level of attention to detail and methodical working approach
• Ability to work independently in a clean, controlled environment

What We Offer

• Competitive salary with a 20% uplift for rotating shift work.
• Generous overtime pay: 1.5x after 39 hours and 2x on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
• 25 days of holiday plus Bank Holidays.
• Pension contributions: Company pays 6%.
• Company bonus scheme.
• Health Cash Plan to cover medical expenses.
• £500 referral bonus for recommending friends (terms apply).

Notes: This job description is not intended to be exhaustive in every respect, but rather to clearly define the fundamental purpose, responsibilities and dimensions for the role. Therefore, this job description does not describe any individual role holder. In addition to the contents of this job description, employees are expected to undertake any and all other reasonable and related tasks allocated by their line manager.

The Company is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment. The Company does not discriminate in employment opportunity or practices on the grounds of gender, race, religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by national laws under which the Company operates.

Potential candidates should be aware that many of the employment roles at Gooch & Housego are subject to government security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities that you may have previously held and your place of birth, could restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation.

All UK applicants must, as a minimum, be able to successfully complete security vetting to the UK government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard, which includes a criminal record check being performed. Many roles may also require higher levels of security vetting to be completed, where applicants must typically have been continuously resident within the UK for the past five to ten years.