Manufacturing Engineer - CNC Programmer Operator
Dawn Aerospace
Do you love turning designs into high-precision parts on the shop floor? We’re looking for a hands-on Manufacturing Engineer to take ownership of our machining processes — from first prove-out to smooth, repeatable production.
This isn’t a desk job. You’ll be programming, setting up, proving out, refining, and running parts. You’ll sit at the intersection of design and production, turning engineering intent into robust, repeatable machining processes — and your judgement will genuinely matter.
What You’ll Do
CNC Programming & Machining
- Create CAM toolpaths for high-precision components.
- Design and implement fixturing for safe, repeatable machining.
- Prove out NC programs and bring them into production.
- Refine CAM programs for reliable, hands-off operation.
- Run production jobs and monitor quality, tolerances, and process control.
Design for Manufacture (DFM)
- Collaborate with design engineers to improve machinability.
- Review drawings for tolerance, manufacturability, and risk.
- Influence designs toward efficient, robust manufacturing solutions.
R&D & Development Work
- Support low-volume, time-sensitive, evolving parts.
- Work pragmatically with imperfect data — but push back if it’s unsafe or unrepeatable.
- Communicate clearly and use judgement to get results.
Production Lifecycle & Decision Making
- Decide the right level of effort based on part lifecycle (R&D, early production, mature production).
- Escalate risks when hands-off production can’t be achieved.
- Own your processes, communicate constraints, and ensure quality.
What you will bring
- Hands-on, shop-floor enthusiasm.
- Ownership, not just following instructions.
- You are a pragmatic, commercially aware problem-solver.
- Comfortable in fast-moving R&D environments.
- You can communicate clearly and flag issues early.
- You are obsessed with quality, repeatability, and robust processes.
If you want to directly influence how aerospace parts are designed, machined, and productionised — and be trusted to make decisions that matter — this is your role.
Please note this role involves access to controlled/secure technology. Appointment is conditional on passing background/security vetting and, where required, obtaining any necessary export-control authorisations. Eligibility is assessed on a case-by-case basis with reference to clearance and licensing requirements.