Machine Shops Estimator

Sheffield Forgemasters is an iconic heavy engineering company which is capable of producing the largest and most technically challenging cast and forged steel components in the world from its manufacturing facilities in Sheffield.

In 2021 the business was acquired by the UK Ministry of Defence so as to secure its role as a critical supplier to the next generation of UK defence programmes and it is currently embarking upon a substantial programme of capital investment to modernise its plant and equipment over the next 10 years.

**Key tasks**:

- Understand the method of production and the additional amounts of allowance and surplus material that add to the machining requirements as they appear on the detail drawing.
- To understand the scope of machining and to which machining shops the requirements are best suited. Machining stages typically and variously include:

- Pre-machining for dimension and section thicken control prior to quality heat treatment.
- Rough machining to finished size plus 5/7mm or as otherwise required
- Single or two stages finishing machining.
- To maintain a list of qualified machining sub-contractors.
- Where the scope of machining is best suited to a sub-contract machine shop, then to define the scope of work and obtain quotations for prospective work.
- Where the scope of machining is best suited to SFEL capability then to prepare a detailed estimate of machining hours and determine cost.
- To carry out the contract review for the machining scope.
- To confirm capability and plan purchase orders for machining cognisant of the prior quotation and the costs estimated in response to the RFQ and included in the PO.
- To recognise the technical requirements and route ASME, RCCM and other specific quality requirements through QA for sign off.
- Maintain a dialogue with the various machine shops in order to pre-empt machining issues and pro-actively resolve machining problems.
- The detail of machining requirements requires a careful evaluation in order to determine which operations are normally achievable without special provisions, which operations require special tooling or special precautions in order to achieve the shape and tolerance required and those requirements that depend upon an evaluation of the ‘art of the possible’.
- The importance of developing an understanding for what is achievable with the equipment and sub-contractors at our disposal is essential. Identifying areas of concern and resolving them in good time is essential to the overall delivery objectives and to the control of manufacturing costs.
- Must be able to work closely with technical and production departments, thus optimising the most economical production route.

**Essential Criteria:
- Knowledge of modern turning and milling machine cutters and methods
- Have a flexible and adaptable attitude to manufacturing
- CAD/CAM package experience
- Ability to fully understand and read all aspects of manufacturing drawings
- A understanding in the process route of offline programming of CNC milling and turning machining is essential
- Ability to be able to work in a team
- Resilience and tenacity
- Ability to work on their own initiative
- Apprentice trained machinist
- Knowledge of programming for castings and forgings would be desirable
- Experience in Unigraphics would be advantageous
- Use of programme verification software

**Hours**:
Monday to Friday 7:45am - 16:00pm, 37.5 hours per week.

**What can we offer you in return?**
- Long established local employer
- Competitive Salary
- 33 days annual leave
- Central location with Free onsite parking
- Matched Pension scheme up to 5% and Life Assurance cover
- Family Friendly Policies
- Free Employee Assistance Programme (confidential advice including legal, medical and domestic issues)
- On site Occupational Health Team; Health Screening, well-being focus topics, physiotherapy service
- Discounted Westfield Health Cash Plan Scheme
- Occupational Sick Pay Scheme & Benevolent Fund
- You at Work Discount Scheme - Access to Online Discounts
- Comprehensive Learning & Development Opportunities

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