CNC Manufacturing Team Lead

CNC Manufacturing Team Lead 5 Axis (Defence Engineering)

Ampthill, Bedfordshire Permanent 4 Day Week (Mon Thurs) £42,550

We are recruiting on behalf of a specialist UK defence engineering organisation for a CNC Manufacturing Team Lead to join a precision machining facility delivering complex, low-volume components for secure programmes.

This is a hybrid leadership and hands-on role within a small, highly skilled machining team.

It would suit either:

• An experienced CNC Team Lead who remains technically strong, or
• A Senior 5-axis Machinist ready to step into leadership

The Environment

You ll be working with:

• Matsuura, Hurco and Correa machining centres
• 3 6 axis capability (strong bias toward 5-axis milling)
• Fanuc and Heidenhain controls
• Complex one-off and low-volume defence components

This is not high-volume production it is precision R&D machining within a secure environment.

The Role

You will:

• Lead and support a small team of skilled machinists (approx. 6 10)
• Plan and prioritise workloads in line with programme needs
• Drive safety, quality and on-time delivery performance
• Conduct basic performance reviews and support skills development
• Remain hands-on with programming, setup and prove-out of multi-axis machines
• Support tooling optimisation and process improvement initiatives

This is a working leadership role strong technical credibility is essential.

What We re Looking For

• Strong 5-axis CNC milling experience
• Fanuc and/or Heidenhain programming
• Experience machining complex, low-volume components
• Previous leadership, supervisory or mentoring experience
• Background in defence, aerospace or advanced precision engineering
• Active SC clearance (or recently lapsed and eligible for reactivation)
• Must be eligible to obtain DV clearance

What s on Offer

• 4 day working week (Mon Thurs)
• Permanent role within long-term defence programmes
• Technically challenging environment
• Opportunity to shape and influence a specialist machining cell

Due to the nature of the programmes, strict security clearance eligibility criteria apply.

If you are an SC-cleared CNC professional looking for a role that combines advanced machining with team leadership responsibility, please apply or contact us for a confidential discussion.