Job Title: Senior CNC Programmer / Setter
Department: Manufacturing / Operations
Reports To: Production Manager / Engineering Manager
Location: Athlone - Ireland
Shift: Day Shift

Role Purpose
To program, set, and run Citizen sliding head CNC lathes, producing high-precision components efficiently and consistently. The role requires an experienced machinist capable of independent setup, prove-out, and production running, with the ability to support dual-channel mill-turn machining on a DMG Mori NTX 1000 as a strong advantage.
This is a hands-on, senior-level role for a candidate who can take ownership of jobs from drawing to finished part with minimal supervision.

Key Responsibilities
CNC Programming & Machining

• Program, set, and run Citizen sliding head lathes(primary responsibility)
• Independently set up new and repeat jobs, including tooling, offsets, workholding, and prove-out
• Program and support dual-channel mill-turn machining on a DMG Mori NTX 1000(advantage)
• Optimize cycle times, tool life, and machining strategies
• Develop setup sheets for new part setups.
• Troubleshoot machining issues and implement corrective actions quickly

CAM & Programming

• Create and edit CNC programs using ESPRIT CAM(strong advantage)
• Perform manual program edits at the machine where required
• Ensure programs are safe, efficient, and optimized for production
• Maintain and improve existing programs and setup documentation

Quality & Process Control

• Read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T
• Carry out in-process inspection using measuring equipment (micrometers, calipers, bore gauges, etc.)
• Ensure components meet dimensional, visual, and surface finish requirements
• Support first-article inspection and ongoing process capability

Manufacturing Support

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams
• Support continuous improvement initiatives
• Maintain high housekeeping, safety, and tool control standards
• Mentor junior machinists where required

Required Experience & Skills
Essential

• 5+ years’ experience as a CNC Programmer / Setter / Machinist
• Strong, hands-on experience with Citizen sliding head lathes
• Proven ability to program, set, and run parts independently
• Excellent understanding of turning, milling, and sliding head machining principles
• Strong ability to read engineering drawings and GD&T
• Experience machining tight-tolerance precision components
• Confident working with minimal supervision

Highly Desirable

• Experience with dual-channel mill-turn machines, specifically DMG Mori NTX 1000
• Strong working knowledge of ESPRIT CAM
• Experience machining medical, orthopaedic, aerospace, or high-precision components
• Experience with complex, multi-operation parts
• Tooling optimization and process improvement experience

Qualifications / Background

• Time-served machinist apprenticeship or equivalent practical experience
• Formal CNC or precision engineering qualification advantageous but experience is key
• Strong understanding of modern CNC controls and machining strategies

Personal Attributes

• Highly hands-on and production-focused
• Methodical, detail-oriented, and quality-driven
• Strong problem-solver with a practical mindset
• Reliable, self-motivated, and capable of working independently
• Team player with a strong work ethic

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package - €50 - €60k depending on experience.
• Health care,
• Pension contributions,
• Quarterly performance bonus up to 10k per annum,
• Overtime pAY
• Opportunities for training and development
• Modern equipment and a forward-thinking manufacturing environment
• Career progression in a growing team

Ideal Candidate Summary
An experienced CNC machinist who can walk in, set up a Citizen sliding head lathe, prove out a job, and run production confidently, with the added capability to support dual-channel mill-turn work and leverage ESPRIT CAM to improve efficiency.

KSGalway

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Gi Group Holdings Recruitment Limited group of companies includes Gi Recruitment Limited, Draefern Limited, Gi Group Recruitment Ltd, INTOO (UK) Limited, Marks Sattin (UK) Limited, TACK TMI UK Limited, Grafton Professional Staffing Limited, Encore Personnel Services, Gi Group Ireland Limited and Kelly Services (UK) Ltd. Gi Group Ireland Limited are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this role.

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