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Machine carving a metal part

CNC Technician

Programming machinery to make parts for manufacturing industries. Your components could go into cars, machinery or even exhibitions

How this role makes a difference

Computer numerically controlled (CNC) technicians make precision parts for the engineering and manufacturing industries. That’s the industries that make vehicles, aerospace and defence equipment, machinery, or industrial equipment.

The accuracy of parts is essential to make sure engineered products are stable, safe, and achieve their best performance. You could be the technician who makes the parts that improve how trains, planes, cars, and aerospace equipment performs.

The kind of work you’ll do

  • Programming the CNC machine tool with data from technical drawings
  • Working out the most efficient order to carry out machining tasks
  • Setting the cutting speeds and tolerance levels
  • Operating the machine
  • Assessing work against quality and technical standards
  • Maintaining equipment
Useful skills
Attention to detail
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the role

An interest in engineering science and technology.

An enjoyment of using and maintaining machines and tools.

The ability to focus, assess different options and make accurate decisions.

A natural tendency to look at a problem from all angles before deciding on the best way forward.

Confidence using computers and different software.

You could also be right for this role if you have any of the following interests:

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per year *
£ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 , 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Average salary per month *

Data powered by LMI for all
*according to ONS

Future career opportunities

The complexity of the parts you produce will increase as you become more experienced and you may be consulted about how to design products, due to your knowledge of how they’re made.

You could progress to leading a team of CNC technicians or become involved in training others.

How to get into this role

There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.

But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:

Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.

A little more about the role

Exciting features...

You’ll be responsible for machinery, switching it on and off and completing safety checks, before operating it to make precision parts. You will also be responsible for selecting the right tools for each stage of work and making sure the parts you produce are the highest possible performance and safety standards. 

Other job titles...

This role can also be known by some other job titles including:

CNC Machinist

Discover
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