Senior CNC Machinist

UCL; City Of London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in London is seeking a skilled Senior CNC Machinist to work on diverse projects within the Mechanical Engineering department. Your role will involve making custom parts and improving lab equipment while collaborating with students and faculty. The ideal candidate will have solid CNC machining and programming experience, with opportunities for personal growth and development in a welcoming environment.

Benefits

41 Days holiday

Defined benefit pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

On-site nursery

On-site gym

Qualifications

• Solid CNC machining experience and the ability to get things done.
• Experienced in CNC programming using CAM software (i.e. Mastercam or equivalent).
• Comfortable communicating clearly with students and senior academics.
• Curious, adaptable, and eager to learn.

Responsibilities

• Making custom parts for research rigs and student projects.
• Improving lab equipment including combustion engines and wave tanks.
• Advising on materials and design tweaks.
• Using machines like mills, lathes, and 3D printers.

Skills

CNC machining experience

CNC programming using CAM software

Conversational controls knowledge

Practical problem solving

Team collaboration

Clear communication

Adaptability

Eagerness to learn

Tools

Mills

Lathes

EDM machines

Water-jet cutters

Grinders

3D printers

Job description

Senior CNC Machinist

Build brilliant things. Break stuff (occasionally). Fix it better. Repeat.

We're UCL Mechanical Engineering – one of the oldest and most respected engineering departments in the UK. We've been doing this since 1847, and we're still at it: designing cleaner engines, building solar power stations out of featherweight materials, and figuring out how blood cells behave in spaces smaller than a human hair.

What you'll actually be doing:

• Making custom parts for research rigs, student projects, and experimental setups.
• Fixing, tweaking, and improving lab equipment – combustion engines, wave tanks, and all sorts of bespoke gear.
• Talking through ideas with academics and students, then turning those ideas into solid, working kit.
• Advising on materials, design tweaks, and how to make things run smoother, stronger, and smarter.
• Using machines like mills, lathes, EDM, water‑jet cutters, grinders, and 3D printers. If you haven’t used them all, we’ll train you up.
• Helping out with bigger department projects – refurbishing labs, setting up new spaces, and hitting deadlines when things get busy.

Who we're after:

• You’ve got solid CNC machining experience and know how to get things done.
• Experienced in CNC programming using CAM software (i.e. Mastercam or equivalent) and using conversational controls (Siemens 828D controls and ProtoTRAK controls or equivalent).
• You’re practical, sharp, and not afraid to speak up when something doesn’t make sense.
• You can work solo but also get on well with a team.
• You’re comfortable chatting with students and senior academics – no jargon, just clear communication.
• You’re curious, adaptable, and always up for learning something new.

What you’ll get:

• A diverse, friendly team from all over the world.
• A chance to work on projects that actually matter.
• Training and support to help you grow your skills.
• A role where your input isn’t just welcome – it’s essential.

What we offer:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days).
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme.
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• Immigration loan.
• Relocation scheme for certain posts.
• On‑Site nursery.
• On‑site gym.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service.
• Discounted medical insurance.

Visit our Rewards and Benefits page to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

Our department holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality.

Sound like your kind of gig?

You don't need a fancy degree – just solid experience, a good head on your shoulders, and a willingness to get stuck in. If that's you, we'd love to hear from you.