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CNC Precision Manufacturing Machinist
UKRI
Source: Headcount Labs · original listing ↗
Job data: Headcount Labs, ODbL 1.0. Job descriptions belong to their employers.
Source date: 11/2/2026
About this role
Job Description Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: Band D (S1) £46,444 per annum Hours: Full-Time (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants) Contract Type: Open-Ended Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it is sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you are surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn, and empowered to explore your curiosity. Your work will contribute directly to scientific instruments and spacecraft hardware developed for major international space missions, including projects for the European Space Agency, as well as world-leading scientific facilities in the UK and overseas. The Precision Development Facility in RAL Space manufactures components for instruments operating in space today, alongside hardware for future Earth observation, planetary science and astrophysics missions. The novel processes and the intricacy of the work performed can be likened to techniques deployed in fine watchmaking. The difference is that the components produced here are destined for spacecraft and scientific instruments operating at the frontiers of human knowledge. About the Role You will work full-time on site in the RAL Space Precision Development Facility to produce small runs of specialist components, often unique in design and manufactured to micron-level tolerances in a modern temperature-controlled environment. The role is suited to CNC machinists who wish to apply their precision manufacturing skills to spaceflight hardware and world-leading scientific instrumentation. Equipment available ranges from manual Hardinge lathes and jig borers, DMG CMX600V’s and DMG DMU50 CNC mills, to specialist machinery including a 5-axis KERN Micro HD and KERN Pyramid Nano CNC milling machines and a Sodi-Tech ALC400G wire EDM. You will play a crucial role as part of a small team, providing rapid-turnaround manufacturing support in the manufacture of critical spaceflight and ground-based hardware, taking personal responsibility to ensure work is performed to meet or exceed customers’ expectations on quality. The work emphasises technical excellence, craftsmanship and problem solving rather than high-volume production. A prerequisite is attention to detail and dexterity in handling precision components as well as an ability to seek improvement and accept change. Key Responsibilities Manufacturing high-quality components on CNC and manual machines in metallic and non-metallic materials. Producing, proving and adjusting CAM program files to achieve the required part geometry and dimensional control. Liaise and support RAL Space engineers, scientists and technicians to provide essential close support manufacturing requirements. Manage requirements for maintenance of manual and CNC machinery. Compliance with processes associated with populating manufacturing documentation in accordance with the Facility ISO9001 Quality Management System. Shortlisting Criteria (Please note the criteria below will be assessed at Shortlisting or Interview stage as indicated) Quality of cover letter or CV which addresses your experience in the key criteria about this opportunity (S). A recognised apprenticeship in engineering, with at least a BTEC level 3 qualification in an engineering discipline. Additional demonstrated experience using CNC machinery in a production environment may be substituted for formal qualifications (S). A proven ability in setting, operating and programming 3-axis and 5-axis CNC milling machines on at least one of these controllers; Heidenhain or Seimens, as found on our KERN and DMG machine (S&I). An in-depth knowledge of manual and CNC machining equipment including the ability to use judgement and safe practices (S&I). Qualified in using offline programming using CAM software. Preferably experience of OpenMind HyperMILL and One CNC. Experience may be substituted for certified training (S&I). An ability to read, interpret and explain engineering drawings to BS8888 ISO Standard (I). Be highly motivated, flexible in attitude and be able to work independently with strong time management skills (S&I). Additional Information Early applications are encouraged as candidates will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis. Employee Benefits: We are offering an open-ended contract with a whole host of benefits including: • 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days) • Flexible working hours • An excellent average salary pension scheme • Employee shopping/travel discounts • Learning and development opportunities Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/ We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what is possible! Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org. UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment. The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world. One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale. For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ Job Info Job Identification 3043 Job Category Engineering Posting Date 11/02/2026 Apply Before 11/22/2026 Locations STFC - Rutherford Appleton Laboratory