Who we are
Consort Case is an Irish-owned manufacturing company based in Waterford, specialising in vacuum forming, thermoformed plastic components and customised casing solutions. Operating from an 80,000 sq. ft. facility, Consort supports customers across sectors including medical, electronics, cleanrooms, automotive, telecoms, construction, energy and government, with a focus on quality, technical problem-solving and long-term customer relationships.
Role purpose
The CNC Programmer / CNC Machinist will create, edit and optimise CNC programs and set up and operate CNC machinery to produce high-quality, precision-engineered plastic components for bespoke and low to medium volume customer projects. This hands-on role requires strong technical judgement, accurate interpretation of drawings and tolerances, and close cooperation with production, design/engineering and quality colleagues. The successful candidate will take ownership of safe machine set-up, first-off quality and efficient, repeatable machining.
Key responsibilities
· Create, edit, prove out and optimise CNC programs for initial prototypes and full production of components.
· Set up and operate CNC machinery, including tooling, fixtures and workholding, offsets, datums and machine parameters.
· Interpret engineering drawings, specifications, dimensions and tolerances and translate them into practical machining methods.
· Select suitable cutters, feeds, speeds and machining strategies for the material, component and required finish.
· Carry out first-off inspections and in-process quality checks using appropriate measuring equipment.
· Monitor machining performance and make safe, controlled program or machine-setting adjustments where required.
· Troubleshoot issues relating to programs, tooling, workholding, dimensions, surface finish and production efficiency.
· Reduce waste, cycle time and rework while maintaining quality, accuracy and safe operating standards.
· Maintain clear program versions, set-up information and job records so that work is repeatable and traceable.
· Work with production, design/engineering and quality colleagues to resolve drawing, material or process issues early.
· Complete routine machine checks and basic maintenance, report defects promptly and maintain a clean, organised work area.
· Follow all health and safety, machine guarding, PPE, housekeeping and quality procedures.
· Training CNC operators
Person specification
Essential experience
· Proven experience programming, setting and operating CNC machining centres in a manufacturing environment.
· Experience creating new CNC programs, modifying existing programs and safely proving out new or changed work.
· Experience reading and working accurately from engineering drawings, dimensions, tolerances and specifications.
· Practical knowledge of tooling, work holding, machine offsets, feeds, speeds and machining parameters.
· Experience completing first-off and in-process inspection using suitable precision measuring equipment.
· Experience troubleshooting machining problems and producing accurate one-off or low-volume components.
Essential skills and knowledge
· Strong CNC programming and practical workshop skills, with a methodical approach to machine set-up and operation.
· Ability to understand how material, tooling, work holding and cutting conditions affect accuracy and surface finish.
· High attention to detail and a right-first-time approach to dimensions, tolerances and quality checks.
· Strong problem-solving ability and confidence making controlled, evidence-based adjustments.
· Good organisation and record-keeping, including program control, job information and set-up details.
· Strong safety awareness and commitment to following machine, PPE and workshop procedures.
· Ability to work independently while communicating effectively with production, engineering and quality teams.
· Continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to identify safer, more reliable and more efficient ways of working.
· CAD/CAM programming experience using Fusion360, Ency or other software experience.
· Experience with CNC routers, milling centres or multi-axis machining, 3 axis & 5 axis trimming.
Desirable experience
· Experience machining engineering plastics or working in plastics manufacturing, thermoforming or fabrication.
· Experience in bespoke, prototype or production manufacturing.
· Relevant machining, toolmaking, engineering or manufacturing apprenticeship or qualification.
· Knowledge of formal quality systems, inspection records or non-conformance processes.
· Experience using fast cast resins to make holding fixtures.
· Knowledge of using vacuum systems for holding components while machining.
Personal attributes
· Organised, reliable and methodical.
· Practical, technically curious and solutions-focused.
· Patient and careful when proving out programs or resolving machining issues.
· Accountable for quality, safety and completion of assigned work.
· Collaborative and willing to share knowledge with colleagues.
· Adaptable and comfortable working on varied bespoke jobs where no two projects are the same.
Summary of ideal candidate
The ideal candidate will be an experienced CNC programmer and machinist who can take a component from drawing through programming, set-up, prove-out and inspection. They will combine strong technical and practical ability with careful quality control, safe working practices and a willingness to improve how bespoke plastic components are manufactured.
Pay: €32,604.00-€36,556.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bike to work scheme
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site gym
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
