CNC Operator

Job description

Company Overview

Aerotron Group provides total Aircraft Product Support to the aviation industry, with a strong focus on quality, compliance and traceability.

This role sits within Aerotron Composites (Aerospace & Defence), engineering, manufacturing and repairing composite and metallic components from its Chatteris facility.

Location

Aerotron Composites Ltd, Spitfire House, Fenton Way, Chatteris, PE16 6UP.

Employment Type

Full-time, Permanent (40 hours per week)

Role Summary

Operate and setting CNC milling machines (primarily 5-axis) and support manual machining (mills/lathes) for tooling manufacture/refurbishment, manufacturing parts and tooling to tight tolerances with full paperwork and traceability in an aerospace-quality environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Set and run CNC 5-axis milling machines to produce patterns, CNC machining fixtures and composite parts to drawing/specification.
• Support manual machining tasks (manual mill, Colchester lathe, pillar drills) for tooling manufacture/refurbishment.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications (including GD&T where applicable).
• Select tools, set offsets, set datums, prove out jobs, and optimise feeds/speeds within agreed process limits.
• Carry out first-off and in-process inspection using precision measuring equipment; record results accurately.
• Maintain paperwork, job packs, and traceability documentation to aerospace standards.
• Escalate quality concerns, raise/assist with NCRs where required, and support continuous improvement.
• Maintain safe working practices, housekeeping and correct PPE usage.

Required Qualifications & Skills (Must-have)

• Strong CNC milling experience operating and setting 3 to 5-axis machines.
• Manual machining capability (manual mill and lathe) for tooling work.
• Conversant with CNC controls (Fanuc and Heidenhain knowledge particularly useful; other controls considered).
• Strong understanding of paperwork/traceability requirements in a controlled/regulated environment.
• Confident interpreting technical drawings and working to tight tolerances.
• Quality-focused, reliable, and able to work to output targets under a Section Head’s direction.

Preferred Qualifications & Skills (Nice-to-have)

• Experience in aerospace, composites, defence, or similarly regulated industries.
• 5-axis experience (beneficial but not essential if the right 3-axis/hand skills and attitude to learn are present).

Machines / Plant & Capability (site-specific)

• 5-Axis machining centres (4 total):
• Belotti Vaga x 2
• Belotti FLA Twin Pallet x 1
• MultiAX x 1
• Controls: Fanuc or Heidenhain.
• Composite machining capability: parts from approx. 200mm cubed up to 6m x 3m x 3m.
• Metallic cutting / tooling manufacture & refurb equipment:
• Haas CNC mills (3 + 1)
• Colchester lathe
• Manual mill
• Pillar drills

Working Hours / Shift Pattern

• Standard working week: 40 hours, Monday to Friday.
• Early shift: 06:00–15:00 (30 mins lunch + two 15 min breaks). Breaks taken at Section Head discretion to achieve best output.
• Potential late shift requirement (to be discussed): 14:00–01:00 Monday to Thursday (30 mins lunch + two 15 min breaks). Breaks taken at Section Head discretion to achieve best output.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Workshop/manufacturing environment (standing for long periods, manual handling of tooling/fixtures within safe limits, PPE required).
• Must follow safe systems of work and quality processes suitable for aerospace/composites production.

Extra information

Status

Open

Education Level

Secondary School

Location

Chatteris

Type of Contract

Full-time jobs

Published at

12-05-2026

Full UK/EU driving license preferred

No

Car Preferred

No

Must be eligible to work in the EU

No

Cover Letter Required

No

Languages

English