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Posted 07 August, 2026

CNC TURNER - PROGRAMMER / SETTER / OPERATOR

Pro Contract Direct
Liverpool, ENG, GB Full Time

Job Description

Location: Aintree, Liverpool Job Type: Permanent, Full-time Salary: £18.00–£19.25 per hour Approximate Basic Salary: £36,500–£39,000 per year Potential Earnings: Approximately £50,000–£60,000 with overtime Hours: 39 hours per week, plus overtime Overtime Rate: Time and a half Shift Pattern: Monday to Thursday, 7:30am–4:30pm; Friday, 7:30am–12:30pm THE OPPORTUNITY We are recruiting an experienced CNC Turner – Programmer, Setter and Operator for a leading precision engineering and subcontract manufacturing business in Liverpool. The successful candidate will join a medium and large CNC turning team, manufacturing technically challenging one-off components and small batches. This is a varied, hands-on role where you will manage the complete machining process, including interpreting engineering drawings, developing CNC programs, selecting manufacturing methods and tooling, proving programs, machining components and checking finished work. The machinery ranges from smaller CNC lathes with approximately 250mm chucks and one-metre capacity to larger machines with chucks of around 600mm and machining lengths of up to approximately 3.2 metres. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Program, set and operate CNC lathes. Manufacture one-off precision components and small batches. Create CNC programs from detailed engineering drawings. Select the most appropriate manufacturing method, tooling, speeds and feeds. Prove programs and complete rough and finish machining. Machine large chucking components and long shafts. Work with machines offering capacities of up to approximately 3.2 metres. Use live tooling and programmable steadies. Perform C-axis and Y-axis machining where required. Machine parts from: Castings Forgings Bar stock Billets Work with steels, stainless steels, alloy steels and specialist materials. Inspect components throughout the manufacturing process. Use micrometers, verniers, bore gauges and other precision measuring equipment. Make program and tooling adjustments to maintain accuracy. Ensure components meet drawing tolerances and quality requirements. Complete production and quality records accurately. Follow ISO 9001 quality systems and health and safety requirements. Communicate effectively with production, engineering and inspection teams. ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS NVQ Level 3, recognised apprenticeship or equivalent engineering qualification. At least two years’ experience in a similar CNC turning role. Proven experience programming, setting and operating CNC lathes. Strong experience using Fanuc controls. Ability to work independently from detailed engineering drawings. Experience selecting tooling and planning machining methods. Knowledge of precision tolerances and component inspection. Experience machining specialist and exotic materials. Strong organisational and problem-solving abilities. Good communication skills. Excellent attention to detail. Right to work in the UK and current UK residency. DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE Doosan CNC lathes with chuck sizes ranging from approximately 8 to 30 inches. Machines with turning capacities ranging from one metre to approximately 3.2 metres. Fanuc Manual Guide programming. OneCNC programming software. C-axis and Y-axis programming and machining. Live tooling. Programmable steadies. Manufacturing shafts, valve components or pump components. Experience machining super duplex, duplex, Inconel 718, X-750, Hastelloy or Monel. Previous work supporting nuclear, defence, oil and gas, fluid-handling or power-generation customers. Familiarity with ERP systems and Microsoft 365. BENEFITS Competitive hourly salary. Strong overtime earning potential. Overtime paid at time and a half. Company bonus scheme, subject to company performance and relevant criteria. 25 days’ annual leave plus eight bank holidays. Contributory pension scheme. Training and development. Company workwear. Flexible working requests considered where operationally possible. The official vacancy confirms that the position covers medium and large CNC turning, including programming from drawings, tooling selection, machining long shafts, live tooling, programmable steadies and C- and Y-axis work