Sliding Head Operator

£35,100 - £42,900 p.a. | Welwyn Garden City

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AFT Fluorotec is expanding its sliding head capability as part of the growth of the sliding head Cell. We are recruiting a Sliding Head Operator / Setter / Programmer to join the team, working on a growing cell of sliding head machines producing precision components in PTFE and other engineering plastics.

We will consider candidates at all levels (operator, setter or programmer) provided you have genuine sliding head experience. The ideal candidate will be capable of programming and setting across all machine sizes in the cell, and will be given the opportunity to grow with the business as the cell expands. This is a hands-on production role, not a supervisory one, though there is scope to progress into a more senior position for the right person.

What you'll be doing

• Setting, operating, and programming sliding head machines to drawing and spec
• Working from engineering drawings to hit tight tolerances and finishes
• First-off and in-process inspection to keep quality on point
• Optimising cycle times and tooling set-ups for maximum efficiency
• Working closely with the Cell Leader and engineering team on delivery

What you'll bring

• Proven sliding head (Swiss-type) lathe experience, CNC and/or cam-operated
• Setting experience essential; programming (conversational or CAD/CAM) a big plus
• Comfortable reading engineering drawings and specs
• Plastics or engineering polymer machining experience is a strong advantage
• An xwzovoh AS9100D, aerospace, or similarly quality-regulated background helps but isn't essential
• A reliable, disciplined, quality-first approach, and a genuine appetite to progress

What we offer

• Competitive salary, dependent on experience
• The opportunity to join a growing, well-invested sliding head cell within an established, AS9100D-accredited precision manufacturer
• Genuine progression opportunities as the cell and business expand
• A skilled, supportive engineering team