Senior CNC Machine Programmer M/F

Safran; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Safran, Banbury facility, seeks a Manufacturing Engineer to lead CNC programming and setup of Mazak and Fanuc centres for current and new products. You will define tooling/workholding, drive procurement, and provide technical leadership across R&D and production.

Strong GD&T, metrology, CAD/CAM experience, and Lean manufacturing practices are essential to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance in a regulated aerospace environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience programming, setting and operating CNC machining centres.
• Strong expertise in machining aerospace materials (stainless steel, aluminium, titanium, CFRP).
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and metrology reports.
• Experience with CAD/CAM systems and documentation for manufacturing programmes.
• Proven ability to lead projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams in a regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and setting of CNC machining centres (Mazak and Fanuc) for current and new products.
• Identify tooling and work holding requirements for production and R&D components.
• Lead procurement of CNC machinery and provide technical leadership across specifications.
• Manage R&D machining workload with programme managers.
• Review drawings for manufacturability and support cost estimation.
• Support production with process improvements, standard work, and lean initiatives.

Skills

CNC programming

Tooling & fixturing

GD&T interpretation

CAD/CAM

Lean manufacturing

Project leadership

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Metrology equipment

Job description

You will provide proactive and customer focused day to day support to Operations at the Banbury facility. In addition, the role will provide ongoing support for various operational projects including the introduction of new products and equipment.

• 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

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.

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 &