Manual Machinist

Job Title: Manual Machinist - (Multi-spindle Lathes)

Location: Barnstaple

Two shifts available:

Mon - Fri: 06:00 - 14:00

Mon - Thurs: 14:00 - 0:00

Salary: Up to -35,000, plus 25% shift allowance + 5% Bonus.

About us:

This business is an international leader in the aerospace, defence, and energy markets, employing more than 60,000 people at over 40 manufacturing facilities and regional offices worldwide.

Working closely with their customers, this business delivers technologically differentiated systems and products for the most demanding environments, with high certification requirements for applications across its core end markets. Through focusing on engineering and operational excellence, this business builds broad installed bases of equipment and provides services and support across a fleet of approximately 73,000 aircraft.

Business Core values:

Winning culture, valued customers, passionate people, and engaged leadership are what have allowed them to become the company they are today.

The Role:

Have you operated Wickman multi-spindle lathes (or similar) in a high-paced manufacturing environment?

Are you passionate about high-quality machining and ready to take your skills to the next level?

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Multi-Spindle Lathe Setter/Operator to join our precision manufacturing team. This role focuses on the setup, adjustment, and operation of Wickman multi-spindle lathes.

You will be instrumental in ensuring efficient machine operation, reducing downtime, and maintaining high-quality output within a lean manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities of the role:

• Perform rapid changeovers using SMED techniques to maximize machine uptime.
• Troubleshoot mechanical and tooling issues related to cam-driven mechanisms and multi-spindle synchronization.
• Collaborate with maintenance, quality, and production teams to maintain machine reliability and product quality.
• Contribute actively to LEAN initiatives, including 5S, Kaizen, and TPM, to improve process efficiency and reduce waste.
• Maintain accurate setup records and assist in training other operators.

Skills required:

• Strong mechanical aptitude, particularly with cam systems and manual machining.

• Experience with Wickman machines is ideal, but not essential. We''re open to candidates with experience on similar multi-spindle, cam-driven machines.

• Ability to set, operate, and reset machines with minimal guidance.

• Understanding of cams, levers, and mechanical functions - this is a hands-on, old-technology role, not CNC-based.