Lead Design Engineer

5S Recruitment Limited; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Death in service benefit

Dental and optical cash plan

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Onsite parking

Job summary

5S Recruitment is supporting an established advanced manufacturing business in High Wycombe for a Lead CAD/CAM Engineer. You will own the CAD/CAM function, program complex components with PowerMill, and lead a small team while remaining hands-on.

This is a technical leadership role shaping machining strategy and future investments. You will work in a modern facility with 5-axis CNC centres and CAD/CAM software to deliver high-quality composite and plastic components.

Qualifications

• Extensive CNC machining experience.
• Advanced CAD/CAM programming.
• PowerMill or similar CAM software.
• SolidWorks CAD software.
• 5-axis CNC machining.
• Offline programming.
• Design for Manufacture (DFM).
• Fixture and tooling development.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Ability to interpret complex drawings and GD&T.

Responsibilities

• Own the CAD/CAM function and lead the team.
• Program complex components using PowerMill.
• Program 3-axis and 5-axis machines.
• Develop efficient machining strategies to reduce cycle times.
• Improve tooling, fixtures and workholding.
• Optimize feeds, speeds and cutting strategies.
• Apply DFA principles.
• Support NPI and production on the shop floor.
• Mentor CNC setters to CAM programmers.
• Drive continuous improvement in machining.

Skills

PowerMill

SolidWorks

CNC Programming

5 Axis CNC

CAD/CAM

Tools

Autodesk PowerMill

SolidWorks

Job description

Lead CAD/CAM Engineer

• £50,000 - £55,000
• Death in Services 2 x 5 times after 6 months.
• Dental and Optical Cash Plan after 1 year
• 25 days Holiday + Bank Holidays
• 5 days sick pay after 6 mths
• Onsite Parking
• Hours are 7am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 7am to 1pm Fridays.

High Wycombe - Permanent - Full Time

PowerMill - SolidWorks - 5 Axis CNC - Manufacturing Engineering - CNC Programming

5S Recruitment is delighted to be supporting an established and highly respected advanced manufacturing business in the appointment of a Lead CAD/CAM Engineer. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced Senior CAD/CAM Engineer, Lead CNC Programmer or Manufacturing Engineer looking to take technical ownership of a modern machining department whilst remaining hands-on with programming and manufacturing engineering. Unlike many "lead" positions, this isn't a move away from engineering. You'll continue programming complex components while becoming the recognised technical authority for CAD/CAM across the business. Working closely with senior management, you'll play a key role in shaping machining strategy, developing internal capability and influencing future investment in machinery and software.

The Opportunity

This is a genuine technical leadership role where you'll take ownership of the entire CAD/CAM function. You'll programme complex components, optimise machining strategies, improve manufacturing efficiency and mentor an existing CNC Setter who is being developed into a CAM Programmer. You'll also play a significant role in future investment projects, including new CNC machinery, CAM software and manufacturing technology. If you're someone who enjoys solving machining challenges, improving cycle times and driving manufacturing excellence, this is an outstanding opportunity to make a genuine impact.

The Manufacturing Environment

You’ll be working within a modern CNC machining facility manufacturing high-quality composite and plastic components for a wide range of industries.

Current equipment includes:

• Multiple 5 Axis CNC Machining Centres
• HAAS Vertical Machining Centres
• Offline CAD/CAM Programming
• Autodesk PowerMill
• Latest SolidWorks software
• CNC simulation prior to machining

Future investment is already planned, including additional CNC machinery and new CAM software, with the successful candidate playing an active role in these decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the company's CAD/CAM function.
• Produce complex CNC programmes using Autodesk PowerMill or equivalent.
• Programme 3 Axis and 5 Axis CNC machining centres.
• Develop efficient machining strategies to reduce cycle times.
• Improve tooling, fixtures and workholding methods.
• Optimise feeds, speeds and cutting strategies.
• Apply Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI).
• Work closely with Production, Quality and Engineering teams.
• Resolve machining issues and support production on the shop floor.
• Mentor and develop an existing CNC Setter into a CAM Programmer.
• Drive continuous improvement throughout the machining department.
• Contribute towards future investment in machinery and manufacturing technology.

We're Looking For

• Lead CAD/CAM Engineers
• Senior CAD/CAM Engineers
• Lead CNC Programmers
• Senior CNC Programmers
• Manufacturing Engineers
• CNC Manufacturing Engineers
• CAM Engineers
• CNC Applications Engineers

Essential Experience

• Extensive CNC machining experience.
• Advanced CAD/CAM programming.
• Autodesk PowerMill or similar CAM software.
• SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software.
• 3 Axis CNC machining.
• 5 Axis CNC machining.
• Offline programming.
• Manufacturing engineering.
• Design for Manufacture (DFM).
• Fixture and tooling development.
• Continuous improvement.
• Excellent understanding of machining principles, cutting tools, feeds and speeds.
• Ability to interpret complex engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Candidates with strong metallic machining backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply, bringing proven machining knowledge into an advanced composites and plastics manufacturing environment.

What You'll Achieve

• Become the technical lead for CAD/CAM.
• Improve machining efficiency and reduce cycle times.
• Increase technical capability across the machining team.
• Mentor and develop internal programming capability.
• Influence future manufacturing investment.
• Help shape the long-term machining strategy of the business.

Why Apply?

This is far more than a programming role. It's an opportunity to become the technical authority within a growing manufacturing business that genuinely values engineering expertise. You'll have the autonomy to influence the future direction of the machining department while remaining hands-on with the technology and engineering challenges that make the role rewarding. If you're looking for a position where your technical knowledge will genuinely shape the future of a business, we'd love to hear from you.