Skilled Machinist

Job Description

Job Title: Skilled Machinist

Location: Samlesbury – Full time on site.

Salary: £43,978

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

Skilled Machinists play a key role in the manufacture of machined details and associated bench assembly, undertaking a diverse range of high‑precision tasks across the full production lifecycle — from detail manufacture through to further operations on assemblies. Work content includes NC, CNC and conventional machining, alongside EB welding, bushing and assembly activities.

Individuals in these roles are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of machining disciplines, from traditional methods through to advanced 5‑axis complex machining, ensuring exceptional quality and performance across all components and assemblies.

Core duties:

• Maintaining safe systems of work at all times
• Reading and interpreting engineering drawings
• Conducting a variety of machining operations such as boring, milling, turning and drilling
• Performing fault diagnosis and defect rectification
• Carrying out detailed inspections and confidently using measuring equipment

Essential Skills:

• A time served Advanced Apprenticeship (min. Level 3) in an Engineering discipline from a recognised Awarding Organisation
• An Academic Vocational Qualification (Level 3 or above) in an Engineering discipline from a recognised Awarding Organisation (for example NVQ or City & Guilds (Pre NVQ))

This may take the form of service records for those that carried this out whilst serving in the Armed Forces.

The Air Operations Team:

You will join a large and well‑established team of around 600 colleagues based at Samlesbury, working in a highly collaborative and supportive environment. You will have the chance to grow your skills across multiple functions and work closely with teams in quality, engineering, and other operational areas.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 14th April 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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