CNC Operator

Tradestaff; Hastings; On-site; NZD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive hourly pay

Immediate start

Variety of work

Supportive team

Career opportunities

Job summary

Tradestaff Hawke’s Bay is seeking an experienced CNC Programmer & Operator for a busy precision engineering workshop in Hastings. You will set up, operate, and program CNC lathes and mills, reading drawings and ensuring parts meet tight tolerances.

Immediate start and a pay rate of $35 per hour, paid weekly, with a supportive team and ongoing opportunities within Tradestaff's network. Applicants with a mechanical engineering trade qualification and 5+ years of CNC experience are encouraged to

Qualifications

• Trade qualification in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
• At least 5 years' CNC machining and programming experience.
• Strong reading of technical drawings and tolerance interpretation.
• Detail-oriented with precision workmanship.

Responsibilities

• Set up, operate, and maintain CNC lathes and milling machines.
• Create, edit, and optimise CNC programs for accuracy and efficiency.
• Read and interpret detailed engineering drawings and specifications.
• Produce high-precision components to tight tolerances.
• Collaborate with engineers to resolve machining challenges.
• Maintain quality control, safety, and workshop housekeeping.

Skills

Reading technical drawings

Team communication

Attention to detail

Education

Trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Fitter Turner, or equivalent

Tools

Fusion 360

GibbsCAM

SolidWorks

Fagor CNC control

Fanuc CNC control

Job description

Tradestaff Hawke’s Bay is looking for an experienced CNC Programmer & Operator to join a busy precision engineering workshop in Hastings.

If you're a skilled machinist who takes pride in producing high-quality components, enjoys solving technical challenges, and knows their way around CNC lathes and mills, we want to hear from you!

Location: Hastings, Hastings

Start date: Immediate

Pay rate: $35 per hour, paid weekly

What You'll Be Doing

• Setting up, operating, and maintaining CNC lathes and milling machines.
• Creating, editing, and optimising CNC programs for accuracy and efficiency.
• Reading and interpreting detailed engineering drawings and specifications.
• Producing high-precision components to tight tolerances.
• Working alongside engineers and machinists to resolve machining challenges.
• Maintaining excellent quality control, safety, and workshop housekeeping standards.

What We're Looking For

• Trade qualification in Mechanical Engineering, Fitter Turner, or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years' experience in CNC machining and programming.
• Strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to precision workmanship.
• Confident problem‑solving skills and a proactive attitude.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within a team.

Bonus Skills

• Experience with CAD/CAM software such as Fusion 360, GibbsCAM, or SolidWorks.
• Familiarity with Fagor and Fanuc CNC control systems.
• Strong knowledge of CNC milling operations.

What's In It For You?

• $35 per hour – Competitive hourly pay with weekly wages.
• Immediate start – Get straight into your next opportunity.
• Variety of work – Put your technical skills to use across precision engineering projects.
• Supportive team – Enjoy the backing of a friendly, experienced Tradestaff recruitment team.
• Career opportunities – Build valuable experience through Tradestaff's network of employers.