CNC Operator - Waterjet & Press Brake

Job Title:             CNC Operator - Waterjet & Press Brake

Reporting to        Workshop Foreman

Based:                  Workshop @ Riverside, Tullamore, Co. Offaly

Date Posted:        May 17th 2026

Company Profile

Coughlan Engineering (Tullamore) Ltd is a renowned metalwork fabrication company which serves top-Tier building contractors and engineering partners.

We are known for providing high quality bespoke products in steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. 

With a very strong order book, we seeking to recruit CNC Press Brake and Waterjet Operators.

Why join our team? The Company is known for paying due regard to employee welfare. We empower our employees to develop their skill sets and leadership, in full knowledge they are the reason we have continued success.

The Company invests heavily in CNC manufacturing capabilities and new product development. We want candidates who share our ambition for continuous improvement and who take serious pride in their craft. We place a very high value on attitude, and seek always to treat our employees with dignity and respect and strongly encourage them to continually develop and expand their capabilities.

Role Overview

We are seeking skilled and motivated CNC professionals to join our growing fabrication team, operating advanced profiling and forming equipment within a modern metal fabrication environment.

The successful candidate will operate and maintain a Flow Mach 500 5-axis waterjet profiler and a 320-ton CNC press brake, supporting the manufacture of bespoke architectural, structural, modular, and OEM components and subassemblies.

This role would suit an experienced CNC operator with strong technical ability, attention to detail, and a proactive hands-on approach to production quality, machine care, and continuous improvement.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

1. Operate and program the Flow Mach 500 5-axis waterjet cutting machine to produce high-quality components in accordance with engineering drawings and production requirements.
2. Set up and operate the 320-ton CNC press brake, including tooling selection, bend sequencing, and forming operations for a variety of metal fabrication projects.
3. Interpret technical drawings, CAD files, cutting programs, and work orders to ensure accurate manufacturing output.
4. Carry out machine setup, calibration, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance to maximise machine performance and minimise downtime.
5. Monitor cutting and forming quality, ensuring finished parts meet dimensional tolerances and quality standards.
6. Coordinate material handling, loading/unloading, and workflow planning to support efficient production scheduling.
7. Work closely with design, production, and fabrication teams to resolve manufacturing issues and improve production efficiency.
8. Maintain accurate production records, material traceability, and job tracking information within company systems.
9. Ensure excellent housekeeping standards and compliance with all health & safety procedures relating to CNC operations and heavy fabrication equipment.
10. Support continuous improvement initiatives relating to machine utilisation, process optimisation, lean manufacturing, and waste reduction.

Skills-Based Competency Requirements

1. Experience operating CNC profiling and/or CNC press brake machinery within a fabrication or manufacturing environment.
2. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication details, and technical specifications.
3. Strong understanding of sheet metal fabrication, forming processes, cutting tolerances, and material behaviour.
4. Experience with CNC machine setup, tooling, maintenance, and production troubleshooting.
5. Good understanding of workshop safety procedures and safe operation of heavy industrial equipment.

Personal Trait Requirements

1. Strong attention to detail and pride in producing accurate, high-quality work.
2. Hands-on, reliable, and proactive approach to problem-solving and machine operation.
3. Positive attitude with the ability to work effectively as part of a production team.
4. Organised and capable of managing workflow priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
5. Motivated and willing to contribute to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Desirable (But Not Essential)

• Experience operating waterjet cutting systems or multi-axis CNC equipment.
• Experience with CNC press brake programming and offline nesting/software systems.
• Forklift, overhead crane, or manual handling certification.
• Experience in architectural metalwork, structural steel, aluminium, or precision fabrication sectors.
• Basic understanding of CAD/CAM software and CNC programming principles.

Package

• Competitive salary based on experience and capability.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Ongoing technical training and development.
• Opportunity to work on high-profile bespoke fabrication and modular projects.