Cnc Machinist

CNC Machinist / 5-Axis CNC Setter – Progression into CAD/CAM

📍 Dartford, Kent

💰 Highly Competitive Rate – Dependent on Experience

🕒 Flexible Working Hours

⚙️ Brand-New Multi-Axis / 5-Axis CNC Milling Centre

💻 Genuine Progression into CAD/CAM Programming

Want to become more than just a CNC Setter?

I'm recruiting on behalf of a growing precision engineering company in the Dartford area who have recently invested in a brand-new multi-axis 5-axis CNC milling centre and are looking for a skilled CNC Machinist to join their team.

They're open to somebody who's already programming, but equally interested in a strong CNC Setter who has the technical ability and ambition to progress.

For the right person, this is an opportunity to develop beyond setting and operating and gradually take ownership of programming, setting and running your own jobs from start to finish.

The Role

You'll initially be responsible for setting and operating CNC milling machinery, producing high-precision components across predominantly specialist and one-off work.

As your knowledge of the business, machinery and components develops, you'll be given the opportunity to progress further into CAD/CAM programming and complete job ownership.

Rather than keeping people doing the same repetitive operation every day, their experienced engineers have gradually developed to the point where they're trusted to manage their own jobs and projects, with the flexibility to determine how best to manufacture them.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in speaking with experienced:

• CNC Setter Operators
• CNC Millers
• CNC Machinists
• CNC Programmer Setter Operators
• Multi-Axis Machinists

You should ideally be confident with:

• Independently setting CNC milling centres
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings
• Tooling selection and offsets
• Producing high-precision components
• Working to tight tolerances
• First-off and in-process inspection
• Problem-solving machining and tooling issues
• Taking responsibility for the quality of your own work

Previous 3, 4 or 5-axis milling experience would be highly advantageous.

Experience with Heidenhain/Fanuc controls would also be beneficial, although overall machining ability is more important than knowing one specific control.

Programming Experience?

Great if you've got it – but it's not essential.

They're specifically willing to invest in a capable Setter who wants to develop further.

You'll have the opportunity to build your CAD/CAM programming capability, working towards taking jobs from drawing/model through programming, setup, machining and final component.

For somebody who's reached the ceiling as a Setter Operator in their current company, this could be a very good next move.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Brand-New 5-Axis Technology: Work with modern multi-axis CNC milling equipment rather than spending your career running ageing machinery.

Progression into CAD/CAM: you don't need to arrive as a finished CAD/CAM Programmer. If you're technically capable and willing to learn, the business is prepared to develop you.

Own Your Jobs: as you progress, you'll be trusted to take responsibility for your own work and projects rather than simply being handed repetitive setups all day.

Freedom to Machine: the company's experienced machinists are given the flexibility to use their knowledge and judgement to determine how jobs should be manufactured.

Interesting Precision Work: You'll work across high-quality precision components, including one-offs and technically interesting jobs where your machining knowledge actually matters.

Flexible Working Hours: the company understands that experienced engineers have lives outside work. Working hours can offer genuine flexibility, provided the required core hours are covered.

Highly Competitive Pay: they're prepared to pay competitively for good machining ability, with further progression available as your technical capability develops.

Skilled Engineering Team: You'll work alongside experienced machinists in an environment where good engineers are trusted rather than micromanaged.

The Ideal Person

You don't need to tick all the boxes

You might currently be a CNC Setter Operator who's capable of much more, but your current employer simply isn't giving you the opportunity to progress into programming.

Alternatively, you may already be a CNC Programmer Setter Operator looking for more technically interesting work and greater ownership.

Either way, we're looking for someone who understands machining, takes pride in their work and wants to continue developing.

Already Employed?

That's absolutely fine.

If you're currently comfortable where you are but curious about the new machinery, flexible hours, pay or opportunity to progress into CAD/CAM programming, I'm happy to have a confidential conversation before you decide whether you'd like to take things any further.

If you're a skilled CNC Miller or Setter looking for more autonomy, better development and the opportunity to eventually take ownership of your own projects, I'd be very interested in speaking with you.