Senior CNC Machine Programmer M/F

Safran; Banbury; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Company performance bonus scheme

Pension scheme - up to 10% employercon

Private medical insurance

Comprehensive health cash plan

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

Safran Actuation Systems UK in Banbury is seeking a Senior CNC Machine Programmer to lead programming and setting of Mazak and Fanuc machining centres for both current and new products. You will identify tooling, workholding, and process improvements, and provide technical leadership across CNC machinery procurement and manufacturing plans.

You will actively collaborate with R&D programme managers to manage workload, review drawings for manufacturability, support NPI costing, and drive quality,

Qualifications

• Proven experience programming, setting and operating CNC machining centres.
• Strong expertise in machining aerospace materials including stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and CFRP composites, with the ability to select appropriate tooling, workholding, speeds and feeds.
• Advanced ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T requirements and metrology reports, with experience using metrology equipment for inspection and validation.
• Experience using CAD/CAM systems and configuration control processes to develop and maintain manufacturing programmes and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing engineering activities including tooling specification, process development, continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing practices.
• Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a highly regulated manufacturing environment, applying a structured and data-driven approach to problem solving.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and setting of CNC machining centres (Mazak and Fanuc controls).
• Lead identification of tooling and workholding requirements for production and R&D components.
• Provide technical leadership during specification and procurement of CNC machinery.
• Manage R&D machining workload with R&D programme managers.
• Review component drawings and lead feedback on manufacturability of designs.
• Support costing of machining activities for NPI drawings.
• Support manufacturability/capability studies for new products and provide solutions for features.
• Provide SME guidance on machining tooling and fixtures to the wider team.
• Provide SME guidance on production process 'standard work'.
• Deliver machine setting/programming training to team members as required.
• Support Operations to meet safety, quality and output targets.
• Support programming and setting of inspection equipment (CMMs, MicroVu's, shadowgraphs).
• Ensure machining methods meet quality, delivery, cost and lead time requirements.
• Develop and improve machining processes; trial and implement new technologies.
• Support quality investigations with robust containment and root cause analysis.
• Identify and champion cost-saving and productivity improvements.

Skills

CNC programming

CNC machining

Metrology

Tools

CAD/CAM systems

Metrology equipment

Job description

Safran is an international high-technology group operating in the fields of aerospace (propulsion, equipment and interiors), space and defense. Its mission is to contribute sustainably to a safer world, where air transport becomes ever more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Present on every continent, the Group employs 110,000 people and generated €31.3 billion in revenue in 2025. Safran holds, either independently or through partnerships, leading global or European positions in its markets.

Safran was ranked second in the Aerospace & Defense sector in TIME magazine's "World's Best Companies 2025" ranking.

Safran Electronics & Defense is an international company with more than 19,000 employees who bring together expertise and team spirit to design high-technology solutions for the aerospace, defense and space sectors. By combining human and technological intelligence, the company develops products and services for both civil and military customers, operating on land, at sea, in the air and in space.

Senior CNC Machine Programmer

Banbury

Safran - Here, we craft excellence together.

At Safran, excellence is a journey - and we'd love you to be a part of it. As a trusted global leader in aerospace, defence, and space, we are proud to be a company where diversity, innovation, and opportunity come together to shape a sustainable future where we can all succeed together through a shared vision.

Safran Actuation Systems UK is a world‑class centre for the design, manufacture and support of actuation and flight‑control solutions used across commercial, military and rotary platforms. With major sites in Wolverhampton and Banbury, our teams play a critical role in delivering innovative, reliable and safe systems that keep aircraft performing at their best.

We are looking for a Senior CNC Machine Programme r to join our Banbury site.

• Lead programming and setting of CNC machining centres (Mazak and Fanuc controls) for both current and new product
• Lead identification of tooling and work holding requirements for all production and R&D components
• Provide technical leadership throughout the specification and procurement of CNC machinery
• Actively manage R&D machining workload directly with R&D programme managers
• Review component drawings and lead feedback on manufacturability of designs
• Support costing of machining activities for NPI drawings
• Support manufacturability/capability studies for all new products and provide solutions for problematic features
• Provide subject matter expert level technical guidance/best practices to wider team for machining tooling and fixtures
• Provide subject matter expert level technical guidance on production process 'standard work' deck
• Provide machine setting/programming training to team members as required
• Support Operations to ensure that safety, quality and output targets for machining areas are met
• Support programming and setting of inspection equipment (CMM's, MicroVu's, shadowgraphs etc.)
• Ensure machining methods across the facility are capable of meeting quality, delivery rate, cost and lead time requirements
• Develop, improve and provide innovation to machining processes across the site, including the trial and implementation of new technologies
• Support quality investigations, providing robust containment actions and conducting root cause analysis to implement permanent corrective actions
• Identify and champion introductions of solutions that reduce manufacturing cost and improve productivity

Looking after the people who make Safran great is our priority. We offer a range of flexible benefits designed to support you, both in and out of work, including:

• Competitive salary
• Company performance bonus scheme
• Pension scheme - up to 10% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance
• Comprehensive health cash plan
• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Flexible benefits programme

We support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities.

Here, we craft excellence together.

We understand that diversity and inclusion make teams stronger. We are committed to fair and equitable employment practices for everyone.

We know that some candidates may be put off applying for jobs where they don't meet 100% of the criteria outlined in the advert. We encourage anybody to apply if you can demonstrate a variety of skills and experience relevant to the requirements of this role. Please let us know if you would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to the hiring process that may better facilitate your participation.

Why Safran?

• A global presence: Be part of a global aerospace, defence & space business with over 100,000 Colleagues, across 300 sites in 30 countries.
• Inclusive & empowering environment: We celebrate our differences and believe they make us stronger.
• Innovation at the core: Join our mission to decarbonise aerospace and make the world a safer place. Your ambitions can take us further.
• Mobility & training opportunities: We can support your ambitions with training, development, a personalised career plan and mobility opportunities. If you have big dreams, we'll support you to make them a reality.

Get involved:

We have a number of groups and forums across our sites that you can get involved with, including Women at Safran, Diversity at Safran, Sports Clubs, STEM ambassadors, Employee Forum, Charity Partnerships and Wellbeing Programs.

What You'll Bring:

• Proven experience programming, setting and operating CNC machining centres.
• Strong expertise in machining aerospace materials including stainless steel, aluminium, titanium and CFRP composites, with the ability to select appropriate tooling, workholding, speeds and feeds.
• Advanced ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T requirements and metrology reports, with experience using metrology equipment for inspection and validation.
• Experience using CAD/CAM systems and configuration control processes to develop and maintain manufacturing programmes and documentation.
• Demonstrated experience in manufacturing engineering activities including tooling specification, process development, continuous improvement and Lean manufacturing practices.
• Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams in a highly regulated manufacturing environment, applying a structured and data-driven approach to problem solving.