At EDGE, bold ideas are engineered into technologies that protect, improve, and save lives. As Lead CNC Machine Operator at EPI, you will handle machining setup and production, supervise the team of CNC machine operators in their daily operations, and produce parts to customer specifications.
 About the Role
Core Function: Machining setup, production, and supervision of the CNC operator team
Equipment: CNC horizontal/vertical milling and turning centers, dynamic tool balancer, Zoller, and shrink fit
Work Basis: Interpreting blueprints, sketches, and part descriptions to machine selected materials
Employer: EDGE, a leading advanced technology group headquartered in the UAE
Career Opportunity in UAE Defence & Aerospace Manufacturing
Strategic Location: Abu Dhabi — a globally connected hub with a multicultural community
Scale: EDGE spans more than 35 specialised companies and multiple centres of excellence
Learning Culture: Access to a dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms
Rewards: Highly competitive, tax-free salaries, with benefits that can include family visas, annual flights, and medical insurance
 Position Overview
This CNC Lead Operator role involves using a variety of CNC machining tools and precision measuring devices, setting up and maintaining CNC milling and turning centers, and supervising the CNC team to keep every operation to a high standard. You will monitor OEE, scrap rates, and rejections against KPI targets, run TPM and coolant monitoring, maintain 5S, and take part in root cause analysis and corrective actions on non-confo💡 Why This Role Matters: As Lead CNC Machine Operator at EDGE, you turn drawings into precision parts for advanced defence and aerospace programs, lead and train a team of CNC operators while still working hands-on, drive quality through OEE, scrap, and rejection tracking and structured problem solving, apply programming and CAD/CAM expertise to setups, fixtures, and manual programs, and grow within a fast-moving UAE technology group that invests in learning, autonomy, and tax-free rewards.
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 Key Responsibilities
CNC Machining, Setup & Production
- Use a variety of CNC machining tools and precision measuring devices to produce parts to customer specifications
- Set up, run, and maintain CNC horizontal/vertical milling and turning centers
- Interpret blueprints, sketches, and other part descriptions to machine selected materials
- Set up tooling, fixtures, and jigs, and fabricate parts, fixtures, and jigs as required
- Operate the dynamic tool balancer, Zoller, and shrink fit, and carry out setups or changeovers of legacy production
- Handle manual programming for occasional requirements and handle raw material and finished goods with a forklift
Team Leadership & Performance
- Supervise the CNC team to keep all operations to a high standard, and train others while working independently
- Monitor staff attendance within the department and take part in daily production meetings
- Maintain OEE across work centers and ensure SFC data entry and downtime logging every day
- Monitor scrap rates and rejections so they stay within targeted KPIs
Quality, Maintenance & Continuous Improvement
- Follow NC management per QMS requirements and perform process steps per approved working documents
- Carry out TPM and coolant monitoring, and maintain 5S and housekeeping
- Perform RCA and CAPA with the team against NCRs and contribute to product problem solving
- Maintain consumables and report shortages, and immediately report output, OEE, OLE, 5S, TPM, coolant, or breakdown issues to the manager
- eetings
- Maintain OEE across work centers and ensure SFC data entry and downtime logging every day
- Monitor scrap rates and rejections so they stay within targeted KPIs
Quality, Maintenance & Continuous Improvement
- Follow NC management per QMS requirements and perform process steps per approved working documents
- Carry out TPM and coolant monitoring, and maintain 5S and housekeeping
- Perform RCA and CAPA with the team against NCRs and contribute to product problem solving
- Maintain consumables and report shortages, and immediately report output, OEE, OLE, 5S, TPM, coolant, or breakdown issues to the manager
🎓 Qualifications & Requirements
Basic Qualifications (REQUIRED)
- Certificate or diploma in Engineering or an equivalent qualification
- Strong programming experience is a must
- Computer programming and CAD/CAM software skills
- English proficiency, required for all EDGE roles unless stated otherwise
Preferred Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years’ experience as a senior CNC machine operator in the aerospace, oil and gas, or defence machining industry, or equivalent
- Experience in aerospace, manufacturing, engineering, or industrial environments
About EDGE
Launched in November 2019, EDGE is one of the world’s leading advanced technology groups, headquartered in the UAE and working at the forefront of defence and emerging technologies. Built to move fast and free from heavy legacy processes, EDGE gives its people autonomy, accountability, and agility to bring breakthrough technologies from concept to reality. EDGE is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates to apply even if they do not meet every requirement. EDGE does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.
Career Excellence: Lead precision CNC machining for advanced defence and aerospace programs in Abu Dhabi.
 Who Should Apply?
- Senior CNC Machinists: With long experience in aerospace, oil and gas, or defence machining
- CNC Programmers: Strong in programming and CAD/CAM software
- Hands-On Team Leaders: Comfortable supervising, training, and tracking OEE and scrap
- Quality-Minded Problem Solvers: Experienced with QMS, TPM, 5S, RCA, and CAPA
- Ambitious Engineers: Ready to grow with a fast-moving UAE advanced technology group
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