Lead Programmer Metallics Machining

Polar Technology; West Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading manufacturing company in West Oxfordshire is seeking a Lead Programmer to oversee CNC machine operations. This role involves programming, ensuring quality and safety in operations, and developing junior team members. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in CNC programming and a strong communication skill set.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience programming of CNC machinery, mostly 3 and 5 axis.
• Ability to program in relevant CAM package and contribute to tooling design in CAD.
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming efforts to ensure efficiency and quality.
• Coach and develop junior team members in programming.
• Support quality investigations and implement corrective actions.

Skills

Programming of CNC machinery

Communication skills

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Solid IT skills

Tools

CAM package

Hypermill

MS Office

Job description

The Lead Programmer is responsible for the technical content of all machining operations in relation to the metallics operations department. The lead programmer retains overall authority for all machine programs and associated methodology within the role scope ensuring that machine operations are workable, efficient, conforming and maximise the safety of employees at all times.

The role will have key links to the engineering department, through industrialisation / NPI to ensure that complimentary factors such as jig and fixture design are ultimately completed within the programming concept of the lead programmer. They will also support commercial with feasibility and cost assessments where necessary.

The lead programmer will also retain oversight of, and responsibility to implement in production, improvements and optimisations in support of business priorities. These will relate to, but are not limited to, factors such as run time reduction, cost reduction, safety improvements, quality issues etc.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Support:

• Key member of the Value Stream Management team as technical expert for specific discipline
• Ensure that appropriate resources are in place to support programming needs and that execution of projects is done so within the necessary timeframes
• Coach and develop junior members of programming teams to develop overall skill base, whilst retaining technical oversight on their work
• As the technical expert in their area, the lead programmer would keep up with general industry and market trends to ensure that tools and techniques utilised are current

Direct Production Work:

• Support the prove out of new techniques and processes upon implementation on the shop floor with operators to ensure technical intent is met

Quality & Efficiency:

• Design machine operations with maximising both quality and efficiency in mind
• Support (where needed) quality investigations with RCCA methodology and implementation of needed containments and corrective actions

Health & Safety:

• Ensure working level operations are designed with safety as number one priority and that risks identified are dealt with

The Person

• Demonstrable experience programming of CNC machinery and equipment, mostly 3 and 5 axis mills, conventional lathes and mill / turns
• Ability to program in relevant CAM package
• Ability to contribute to tooling / fixture design in CAD
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Ability to communicate clearly with the team, as well as with management and other departments.
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities in support of the cell when required.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Problem solving ability.
• Solid I.T skills, including the use of standard I.T suites (MS Office), Hypermill etc