Senior Manufacturing Engineer: CNC, CAM & Precision Tooling

Recruitment South East Ltd; Wealden; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruitment South East Ltd is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer for a hands-on role near Hailsham, East Sussex. You will develop and improve manufacturing processes, program CNC machinery, and design tooling and fixtures to support production of precision components.

You'll work closely with production teams to cut costs, reduce waste, and maintain high quality standards. Strong CNC, CAD/CAM, and BOM knowledge are essential to succeed in this role.

Qualifications

• Experience machining aluminium and stainless steel.
• Experience operating and programming multi-axis CNC machines (5-axis, 3+2, multitasking).
• Experience with fixed-head turning centres.
• Experience making tight-tolerance components in automotive/aerospace/medical/scientific engineering.
• Ability to read and write NC G-code.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in low-volume and batch production.
• Understanding of BOMs, operations and routings.
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office and ERP.
• Strong communication across departments.
• Experience with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, NX, Solid Edge, AutoCAD).
• Advanced CAM programming for milling/turning (SolidCAM, Edgecam, HyperMill, Mastercam, NX).
• Proactive with initiative and drive.

Responsibilities

• Provide manufacturing cost information to support production planning and make-or-buy decisions.
• Design and manufacture bespoke workholding equipment and fixtures using 3D CAD modelling and 2D technical drawings.
• Write and amend CNC programmes both at machine controls and using CAD/CAM software.
• Prove out CNC programmes on machinery to ensure they run accurately and efficiently.
• Produce job setup sheets and maintain clear manufacturing documentation.
• Manage tooling and fixtures across the machines.
• Lead continuous improvement activities, identifying and implementing best-practice manufacturing methods.
• Improve quality and productivity while reducing waste, costs and manufacturing time.
• Evaluate new methods, design changes, tooling and fixtures to improve manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Identify opportunities to reduce product costs through continuous improvement and product maintenance.
• Train and support production staff, sharing technical knowledge and preparing training manuals and work instructions where required.

Skills

CNC programming

5-axis machining

CAD/CAM software

G-code reading

Continuous improvement

Problem solving

Team communication

Education

HNC/HND in Manufacturing or Production Engineering

Engineering apprenticeship + 10 years experience

A level or equivalent

Tools

SolidWorks

SolidCAM

Edgecam

Siemens NX

AutoCAD

ERP systems

Job description

Recruitment South East Ltd is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineer for a hands-on role near Hailsham, East Sussex. You will develop and improve manufacturing processes, program CNC machinery, and design tooling and fixtures to support production of precision components.

You'll work closely with production teams to cut costs, reduce waste, and maintain high quality standards. Strong CNC, CAD/CAM, and BOM knowledge are essential to succeed in this role.