CNC Setter Operator

Job Title: CNC Setter Operator
Location: Curdworth, Birmingham
Salary: Approximately £33,576 during training, rising to approximately £35,535 following training, including shift allowances
Hours: 38 hours per week
Shift: Weekly rotating mornings and afternoons
Contract: Permanent

Set precision components, not just load machines. Are you an experienced CNC Setter Operator looking for a stable, permanent position with structured pay progression and an early finish every Friday?

We are recruiting for an established and growing Birmingham manufacturer that continues to invest in its people, machinery and production capabilities.

You’ll set and operate a range of bar- and coil-fed CNC machinery, including DMG, Mori Seiki and Hardinge machines with Fanuc controls. You’ll select the correct tooling and fixtures, make machine adjustments, and inspect your own work to ensure components meet the required quality and dimensional standards. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled CNC professional who takes pride in precision engineering and wants to develop within a supportive manufacturing environment.

The Role
Reporting to the Manufacturing Supervisor, you will set and operate CNC milling, turning and other production machinery to manufacture precision components from engineering drawings.

Your responsibilities will include:

Setting and operating CNC milling and turning machinery

Producing components to drawings, specifications and defined tolerances

Selecting and installing tooling, jigs, fixtures and cutting tools

Completing tool changes and adjusting offsets

Making minor CNC programme amendments where required

Conducting first-off and in-process inspections

Using verniers, micrometers, gauges and other measuring equipment

Monitoring machine performance and helping to improve cycle times

Identifying and reporting faults or production issues

Completing production records and maintaining product traceability

Supporting less-experienced colleagues when required

Maintaining a clean, organised workplace in line with 5S

Following all quality and Health & Safety procedures

What We’re Looking ForTo be considered, you should have:

At least two years’ experience setting and operating CNC machinery

Experience setting and operating CNC milling and turning machinery 

The ability to complete tooling changes and offset adjustments

Some experience making basic CNC programme edits

Confidence reading and interpreting engineering drawings

Experience inspecting precision-engineered components

The ability to use verniers, micrometers and gauges accurately

Good attention to detail and a quality-focused approach

Basic computer literacy

A Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship or equivalent qualification would be advantageous, but relevant practical experience is more important.

Salary and Shift Pattern
The training rate is £14.94 per hour, increasing to £15.81 per hour following successful completion of training.
You will rotate weekly between:
Morning Shift – 7.5% allowance

Monday to Thursday: 6:00am–2:00pm

Friday: 6:00am–12:00pm

Afternoon Shift – 20% allowance

Monday to Thursday: 2:00pm–10:00pm

Friday: 12:00pm–6:00pm

Based on the weekly rotation, the total annual earnings are approximately:

£33,576 during training

£35,535 following training

What’s on Offer?

Permanent, full-time employment as a CNC Setter Operator 

Clear pay progression following training

Competitive rotating-shift allowances

Early finish every Friday

Ongoing technical training and development

Modern CNC machinery and a quality-led production environment

Long-term stability with opportunities to progress

A supportive and experienced engineering team

If you are an experienced CNC Setter Operator who can confidently set machines, interpret drawings and inspect precision components, apply today to discuss the opportunity in confidence
Only candidates based in UK and eligible to work in UK are allowed