Senior Machinist (Milling/CNC)

SUMMARY:
An international company is looking for a highly experienced Senior Machinist with over 15 years of hands-on experience working on manual and CNC lathes and milling machines. This role is central to expanding their in-house machining capabilities.

POSITION INFO:
The ideal candidate will not only operate machines but also lead the development of our machining department, assist with equipment selection and procurement, and mentor Junior Machinists.

Requirements:

• Minimum 15 years of experience on both lathes and milling machines (manual and/or CNC).
• Trade Test in Fitting and Turning or equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification (Red Seal preferred).
• Strong knowledge of machining tolerances, feed rates, tool geometry, and material behaviour.
• Capable of working independently and contributing to long-term planning.
• Familiarity with both metric and imperial systems.
• Operate manual and CNC lathes and milling machines to fabricate precision components.
• Assist with specifying and sourcing new machines and tools required to increase in-house machining capacity.
• Work closely with engineering and management teams to establish an optimized equipment list and machining workflow.
• Interpret and work from complex technical drawings and specifications.
• Inspect and measure finished components to ensure compliance with tolerances.
• Train and guide Junior Machinists to improve skill levels, safety, and productivity.
• Conduct minor maintenance on machines and uphold safety and cleanliness standards in the workshop.
• Maintain accurate documentation of machining practices and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Prior experience setting up or expanding machine shops or manufacturing cells.
• Experience in the water, pump, or mechanical engineering sectors is a plus.
• Exposure to Fanuc, Siemens, or Heidenhain CNC systems beneficial.
• Ability to train and develop others with a hands-on, patient approach.
• Strong mechanical intuition and excellent problem-solving skills.