CNC Machinist / Aircraft Machinist

Air New Zealand; Auckland; On-site; NZD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff travel benefits

Learning & development

Supportive team environment

Wellbeing support

FlexiLeave

Job summary

Air New Zealand is seeking a Machinist Engineer in Auckland to create, repair, and modify critical aircraft components and tooling. You will work with advanced machining technology in a collaborative, highly skilled setting, contributing to safety, quality and reliability across the fleet.

Join our Engineering & Maintenance team to design machining processes, deliver one-off toolmaking solutions, and maintain stringent safety standards while supporting world-class aviation engineering.

Qualifications

• Experience operating manual and CNC machining equipment: mills, lathes, vertical turning lathes, and 3-axis/5-axis machining centres.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and Mastercam to program FANUC-controlled machinery.
• Experience in one-off toolmaking with high attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently on complex engineering projects.
• Aerospace or high-precision manufacturing experience is an advantage but not essential.
• Commitment to health, safety and quality standards.
• Legal right to work in New Zealand.

Responsibilities

• Operate a wide range of manual and CNC machinery to deliver high-precision components.
• Manufacture, modify, and repair aerospace components and tooling for safe aircraft operation.
• Design and program machining processes using SolidWorks and Mastercam for FANUC machines.
• Deliver one-off toolmaking and aircraft repair solutions with innovative thinking.
• Maintain high standards of quality, precision, and safety across machining stages.
• Collaborate with engineers, technicians and specialists to deliver projects efficiently.

Skills

Manual CNC machining

Independent problem solving

Tools

SolidWorks

Mastercam

FANUC controls

Job description

Kia ora!

Precision engineering keeps our fleet moving safely and efficiently. As a Machinist Engineer, you will play a vital role in creating, repairing, and modifying critical aircraft components and tooling that help keep Air New Zealand flying. This is an opportunity to apply your expertise to unique, complex engineering challenges while working with advanced machining technology in a collaborative and highly skilled environment.

Job Description

Kia ora!

Precision engineering keeps our fleet moving safely and efficiently. As a Machinist Engineer, you will play a vital role in creating, repairing, and modifying critical aircraft components and tooling that help keep Air New Zealand flying. This is an opportunity to apply your expertise to unique, complex engineering challenges while working with advanced machining technology in a collaborative and highly skilled environment.

At Air New Zealand, we are committed to engineering excellence and continuous innovation. As part of our Engineering & Maintenance team, you will work alongside experienced engineers and technicians who take pride in delivering world-class safety, quality, and reliability. After recently being voted New Zealand's most attractive employer, Air New Zealand continues to earn global recognition for its great culture, outstanding customer service, and world-class innovation. Join us to reach your full potential with the support of our whānau.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Operate a wide range of manual and CNC machinery, including mills, lathes, vertical turning lathes, and 3-axis and 5-axis machining centres to deliver high precision components
• Manufacture, modify, and repair aerospace components and tooling that support the safe operation of our aircraft
• Design and program machining processes using SolidWorks and Mastercam for FANUC-controlled machinery
• Deliver one-off toolmaking and aircraft repair solutions by applying innovative thinking to complex engineering challenges
• Maintain exceptional standards of quality, precision, and safety across every stage of the machining process
• Partner with engineers, technicians, and other specialists to deliver projects efficiently while meeting operational requirements.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience operating both manual and CNC machining equipment, including mills, lathes, vertical turning lathes, and 3-axis and 5-axis machining centres
• Strong proficiency using SolidWorks and Mastercam to program FANUC-controlled machinery
• Demonstrated experience in one-off toolmaking with exceptional attention to detail
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently on complex engineering projects
• Experience in aerospace or another high precision manufacturing environment is an advantage, but not essential
• A strong commitment to health, safety, and quality standards
• You must have the legal right to work in New Zealand at the time of application.

If you meet the majority of the criteria and are excited by the opportunity, we’d love to hear from you.

Why join Air New Zealand?

We want our people to live their best lives and access great benefits that support their lives outside work.

• Competitive remuneration
• Generous staff travel benefits for you and your wh’anau
• Ongoing learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career
• A supportive, collaborative team environment where your expertise is valued
• Access to a wide range of employee benefits, including work perks, wellbeing support, FlexiLeave, and retirement savings options.

Ready for take-off?

If you’re ready to take your machining career to new heights and want to help shape the future of aviation engineering, we’d love to hear from you. Join an iconic New Zealand organisation where your craftsmanship, innovation, and technical expertise will make a genuine impact every day.

Applications close Sunday 25th October 2026.

Additional Information

At Air New Zealand, we are proudly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and believe in creating a truly inclusive workplace where everyone can be themselves and thrive. Our people are our greatest asset – because while everything else we do in our operation can be replicated by our competitors, it is our people that truly set us apart. We are firm believers in celebrating the differences and diversity of thought our people bring to our roles.

Whāia te pae tawhiti kia tata. Ko te pae tata whakamaua, kia tina.

Seek to bring distant horizons closer. Once near, seize them and make them your reality.