Senior CNC Technician

White-Recruitment; Oxford; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

White-Recruitment is seeking a Senior CNC Technician to join a specialist mechanical workshop supporting advanced scientific research and development activities. You will perform hands-on machining, CNC programming, and provide mechanical design support.

You will produce precision components, mentor junior staff, maintain equipment, and ensure safe, high-quality workshop operations in Oxford in close collaboration with project teams.

Qualifications

• Formal engineering qualification or equivalent.
• Completed recognised engineering apprenticeship.
• Extensive experience in high-precision machining in relevant environments.
• Experience operating and programming CNC machinery and reading drawings.

Responsibilities

• Operate manual machine tools (lathes, mills, drills, etc.).
• Program, set up, and run CNC machinery for high-precision parts.
• Manufacture, assemble, test bespoke equipment and instrumentation.
• Install, modify, maintain, and repair specialist equipment.
• Produce and interpret detailed engineering drawings.
• Mentor junior staff and ensure workshop safety.

Skills

CNC programming

Engineering drawings interpretation

CAD software

Mentoring

Problem solving

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Engineering apprenticeship completed

City & Guilds / BTEC / HNC or equivalent

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Salary: GBP41000 - GBP41000 per annum

Location: Oxford

Salary: Up to £41,000 depending on experience

Our client is looking for a skilled Senior CNC Technician to join a specialist mechanical workshop supporting advanced scientific research and development activities.

As Senior CNC Technician, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality engineering support across a wide range of activities. The position combines hands‑on machining, CNC programming, mechanical design support, equipment maintenance, and technical leadership.

You will be responsible for producing precision-engineered components, advising mechanical design solutions, supporting workshop operations, and mentoring junior team members.

Responsibilities include:

• Operate a full range of manual machine tools, including lathes, milling machines, drills, saws, grinders, and sheet metal equipment.
• Program, set up, and operate CNC machinery to manufacture high-precision components and complex assemblies.
• Manufacture, assemble, fit, and test bespoke mechanical equipment and instrumentation.
• Install, modify, maintain, and repair specialist equipment.
• Produce and interpret detailed engineering and mechanical drawings.
• Provide technical expertise and practical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues and project stakeholders to deliver successful outcomes.
• Train, mentor, and supervise junior technical staff, particularly in CNC machining and design practices.
• Maintain high standards of workshop safety, housekeeping, and compliance.
• Act as a key technical point of contact, communicating engineering concepts clearly to non-engineering stakeholders when required.

Skills and Experience:

• Formal qualification in a relevant engineering discipline (e.g. City & Guilds, BTEC, HNC or equivalent).
• Completed recognised engineering apprenticeship.
• Significant experience in high‑precision machining within a research, laboratory, scientific, aerospace, defence, medical device, or advanced manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience operating and programming CNC machine tools.
• Experience using CAD software to create and modify components and assemblies for manufacture.
• Ability to read, interpret, and produce detailed engineering drawings.
• Excellent problem‑solving and fault‑finding skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information clearly and effectively.
• Experience training, mentoring, or supervising junior staff.