Sliding Head Lathe Engineer Permanent Night Shift

Contek Recruitment Solutions Ltd; Bolton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Night shift allowance 30%

Training on day shift

Job summary

Contek Recruitment Solutions Ltd is seeking an experienced Sliding Head Lathe Engineer for a permanent night shift in the Bolton area. The role involves setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen CNC sliding head lathes to produce high-precision components.

Training will occur on day shift for about three weeks before moving to the permanent night shift. The successful candidate will benefit from a base hourly rate of £19.00–£21.00 with a 30% night-shift allowance, resulting in an

Qualifications

• Proven experience setting and operating CNC sliding head lathes.
• Strong programming ability, including editing and proving programmes at the machine.
• Experience with Star and/or Citizen machines.
• Strong knowledge of CNC turning and multi-axis machining.
• Experience with driven tooling, sub-spindles and bar-fed production.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate and programme CNC sliding head lathes to produce precision components.
• Create, prove and edit CNC programmes for production.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications and route cards.
• Select tooling, collets, guide bushes, bar feeds and machine offsets.
• Carry out first-off inspections and in-process checks.
• Maintain tight tolerances and high quality standards.

Skills

CNC sliding head lathe setting

CNC programming

Star/Citizen machines

Reading engineering drawings

Problem solving under pressure

Tools

Star CNC

Citizen CNC

Offline programming

Job description

Sliding Head Lathe Engineer Permanent Night Shift

Location: Bolton area
Base Pay: £19.00 £21.00 per hour
Night Shift Allowance: +30%
Shift: Monday Thursday, 6:00pm 6:00am
Training: Approximately 3 weeks on day shift
Job Type: Full-time

The Opportunity

An established and growing precision engineering and manufacturing business is looking for an experienced Sliding Head Lathe Engineer / CNC Setter, Operator & Programmer to join its production team on a permanent night shift.

This is an opportunity for an experienced sliding head machinist who is confident setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen CNC sliding head lathes, producing small, complex and high-precision components to demanding engineering standards.

The successful candidate will initially work on the day shift for approximately three weeks to complete training and familiarisation before moving onto the permanent night shift.

The Night Shift

Monday Thursday: 6:00pm 6:00am

The role attracts a 30% night-shift allowance in addition to the basic hourly rate.

Basic rate: £19.00 £21.00 per hour
Plus: 30% night-shift allowance

This gives an enhanced rate of approximately £24.70 £27.30 per hour when the night-shift allowance is applied.

The Role

As a Sliding Head Lathe Engineer, you'll be responsible for setting, operating and programming CNC sliding head lathes to produce precision components to drawing specifications, quality standards and production targets.

• Setting, operating and programming Star and Citizen sliding head lathes.
• Creating, proving and editing CNC programmes.
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings, specifications and route cards.
• Selecting and setting tooling, collets, guide bushes, bar feeds and machine offsets.
• Carrying out first-off inspections and regular in-process checks.
• Using micrometers, verniers, gauges, comparators and other inspection equipment.
• Maintaining tight tolerances and high standards of component quality.
• Identifying and resolving machining issues such as tool wear, chatter, swarf control and surface finish problems.
• Optimising cycle times, tooling life and machine performance.
• Supporting process improvements and new product introduction.
• Completing production and inspection documentation accurately.
• Carrying out basic machine maintenance and maintaining good housekeeping.
• Working safely and following company procedures.

About You

• Proven experience setting and operating CNC sliding head lathes.
• Strong programming ability, including editing and proving programmes at the machine.
• Experience with Star and/or Citizen machines.
• Strong knowledge of CNC turning and multi-axis machining.
• Experience with driven tooling, sub-spindles and bar-fed production.
• The ability to confidently read detailed engineering drawings.
• Experience machining small, complex, high-precision components.
• Strong knowledge of cutting tools, inserts, speeds and feeds and workholding.
• Experience carrying out accurate self-inspection.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• A reliable and organised approach to production and quality.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with Star and Citizen machine controls.
• Experience with offline programming packages.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, 5S and OEE.
• Experience in high-volume batch production and frequent changeovers.
• Experience supporting or training other setters/operators.

The Person

• Takes pride in producing high-quality precision components.
• Has excellent attention to detail.
• Is practical, hands-on and confident solving problems at the machine.
• Works well independently and as part of a wider manufacturing team.
• Has good communication skills.
• Can remain calm and methodical under production pressure.
• Is flexible and committed to working the permanent night shift.

Training & Shift Transition

The successful candidate will start on the day shift for approximately three weeks to allow time for training, machine familiarisation and a smooth transition into the role.

Following successful completion of the training period, you will move onto the permanent night shift:

Monday Thursday, 6:00pm 6:00am

The night shift attracts a 30% shift allowance on top of the basic hourly rate.

Pay

£19.00 £21.00 per hour + 30% night-shift allowance

Enhanced rate: £24.70 £27.30 per hour