Job Description

Manufacturing
Ampthill - Bedfordshire

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and proactive CNC Manufacturing Team Lead to manage daily operations in a low-volume, high-cost environment focused on critical hardware, research and development (R&D), and precision CNC machining. The ideal candidate will combine deep CNC machining expertise with proven leadership skills, playing a vital role in delivering high-quality components for mission-critical applications.



This position requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a complex, collaborative environment and who can drive performance across safety, quality, delivery, and cost metrics.


Key Responsibilities:Team Leadership & Supervision + Lead, coach, and manage a team of up to 10 CNC machinists and technicians, overseeing day-to-day operations.
+ Ensure adequate staffing, skills coverage, and shift handovers in line with production demands.
+ Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and support professional development through mentoring and skills matrix assessments.
Production & Facility Management + Own and manage the assigned production cell/facility area, ensuring full operational readiness and compliance.
+ Schedule and prioritise workloads to meet programme deliverables, internal milestones, and customer deadlines.
+ Provide hands-on technical support for CNC programming, machine setup, tooling selection, and problem-solving as needed.
Health, Safety & Compliance + Promote and maintain a strong safety culture, ensuring full compliance with HSE standards and best practices.
+ Drive awareness and accountability across the team for safe operations and clean work environments (6S and FOD control).
Performance Management & Continuous Improvement + Track and manage key KPI metrics: Safety, Quality, Schedule Adherence, Cost, and On-Time Delivery.
+ Lead root cause analysis and problem-solving initiatives to address machining or assembly issues.
+ Champion continuous improvement activities, including lean manufacturing, cost reduction, and process optimization.
Cross-Functional Collaboration + Work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Design, Quality, Planning, and Materials teams to ensure seamless workflow and timely resolution of issues.
+ Provide feedback to Engineering and Design teams to improve manufacturability and reduce production cycle times.
+ Collaborate with other Team Leaders to support load balancing, shared resourcing, and best practice deployment across the wider manufacturing function.

Required skills, qualifications and experience

Recognised apprenticeship in CNC machining or equivalent technical qualification; extensive hands-on CNC experience will be considered in lieu of formal training. Proven experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a CNC machining or advanced manufacturing environment. Strong understanding of precision machining processes, materials, tooling, and CNC programming. Demonstrated experience working in low-volume, high-complexity, and R&D-focused production settings. In-depth knowledge of lean manufacturing, 6S, and continuous improvement methodologies. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work collaboratively across departments. Strong planning, organisational, and time management abilities, with a focus on delivery, quality, and cost efficiency. Proficient in reading engineering drawings, GD&T, and interpreting technical documentation.


Desirable:Experience with aerospace, defence, medical, or high-reliability sectors. Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems and manufacturing data analytics. Certification in lean, six sigma, or similar continuous improvement frameworks.

Job Reference Number

17852BR

Employee Type

Full Time

Hours Per Week

37.5

Working Schedule

4xFlex

Country

United Kingdom (UK)

Clearance Required for Role

DV

Graduate, Intern or Apprentice Vacancy?

No

What we offer you

At Lockheed Martin our employees come first and therefore your physical, mental and financial wellbeing matters to us. On top of working in a highly supportive, friendly, respectful environment you can expect so much more.

We are an employer in support of and offering

Flexible working

with the option to also work a

4 day week

depending on business requirements, where you have the option of Fridays off. We offer Competitive salaries alongside a flexible holiday entitlement.

We have a Wealth of benefits available to you that can be selected through our wellbeing tool upon commencement of employment. Just a few of our amazing benefits are shown below:

Private Medical Insurance Competitive Pension Dental Critical Illness Life Assurance Travel Insurance Employee discounts for top high street shops Employee Assistance Program which includes free face to face counseling sessions, Legal advice, Financial advice, etc Internal training and development alongside our Education assistance programmes Reimbursement for a professional membership Competitive policies that support flexibility and family leave inclusive of enhanced maternity leave

Business Environment

Lockheed Martin (UK) Ampthill is a rapidly changing, dynamic part of the Lockheed Martin Corporation with both domestic and international customers. It consists of business areas focusing on Platform Integration, Ground Based Air Defence, Special Projects and Weapons, which provide a variety of products and services to the Ministry of Defence and other customers. We are looking for talented individuals to join the company, in return we offer an exciting and challenging career path and excellent work/life balance with a 4 day week (Mon-Thurs) and flexible working arrangements.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Lockheed Martin is committed to upholding principles of equal opportunity, fostering a work environment that is aligned with our core values of integrity, respect, and exceptional performance. We recognize the importance of leveraging the unique talents and experiences of all our employees to drive innovation, deliver superior solutions, and maximize value for our customers. Our focus is on identifying the most qualified candidate for each role, regardless of their background. If you are interested in a position, we invite you to share how your skills and perspectives could bolster our team and encourage you to apply, even if you feel your qualifications do not fully meet all the job criteria outlined in our advertisement. Furthermore, Lockheed Martin is dedicated to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive for all individuals. We are prepared to accommodate reasonable adjustments for applicants as needed. If you require assistance or adjustments to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruitment@global.lmco.com.

Job Expires

27/10/2026