CNC Process Technician

DK Recruitment; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

DK Recruitment are working with a precision engineering manufacturer based in Plymouth seeking a CNC Process Technician to join the shopfloor team in multi-axis high precision CNC turning and milling areas.

This hands-on role suits engineers with an apprenticeship or formal CNC engineering background, offering opportunities for progression and technical development within a high-precision environment.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship or hands-on CNC engineering background.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with shopfloor experience.
• Experience in mill turning and 5 axis machining preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support daily production processes in CNC turning and milling cells.
• Diagnose and resolve technical issues on the shopfloor using engineering principles.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance and production teams on improvements.
• Assist in tooling selection, setup and maintenance for efficiency.
• Participate in continuous improvement focused on productivity, quality and safety.
• Contribute to development and documentation of process control methods.
• Mentor apprentices and new technicians.

Skills

CNC machining

Engineering mindset

Problem solving

5 axis machining

Swiss style lathe

Education

Technical apprenticeship / CNC background

Job description

DK Recruitment are working with a precision engineering manufacturer based in Plymouth who are expanding their engineering team. The business has a strong culture of innovation, professional growth and are offering an exciting career journey.

My client is looking for technically skilled, CNC Process Technician’s to join a dynamic engineering business to work within the shopfloor team in the multi axis high precision CNC Turning & Milling area’s.

This hands‑on role is ideal for individuals with an engineering mindset, who are passionate and able to solve technical challenges at a CNC machine level.

The ideal candidate will bring a solid foundation in engineering, whether through apprenticeship, formal education, or in-depth shopfloor experience. This position offers exciting opportunities for career progression and technical development within a high-precision manufacturing setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support daily production processes in our agile CNC Turning & Milling cells to ensure optimal machine performance and product quality.
• Diagnose and resolve technical issues on the shopfloor using engineering fundamentals and root cause analysis.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, and production teams to implement process improvements.
• Assist in tooling selection, setup, and maintenance to ensure efficient operations.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, quality, and safety.
• Contribute to the development and documentation of process control methods and standard work instructions.
• Support the integration of apprentices and new technicians through mentoring and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications & Experience

• Technical apprenticeship or hands‑on CNC engineering background.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and shopfloor experience (e.g. toolmaking, machine setup, etc.)
• Proven problem‑solving ability grounded in engineering principles.
• Experience with or a strong interest in mill turning and 5 axis machining, preferably with Swiss style lath experience, but not essential.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, hands‑on production environment.

Career Development Path

• Internal Development: Clear stage/level progression tied to skills assessments and performance.
• Apprenticeship Support: Opportunities to mentor and coach junior technicians.
• External Talent Development: Training pathways at machine manufacturers for machine type conversion as well as offline programming training