CNC Programmer

Take Your CNC Programming Career into Aerospace. At Beagle Aircraft, we manufacture precision-engineered components and assemblies for some of the world's leading aerospace programmes.

We're looking for an experienced CNC Programmer / Offline CAM Programmer to join our Engineering team in Christchurch, developing CNC programmes for complex, precision-machined aerospace components.

If you're a time-served CNC professional with strong 5-axis milling and offline programming experience, this is an opportunity to focus on technically challenging work where your programming, tooling and machining knowledge will directly influence how components are manufactured.

The Role

Reporting to the Chief Engineer, you'll create, develop and optimise offline CNC programmes for complex components using SolidCAM and/or CATIA V5.

You'll work closely with the Machine Shop and Engineering teams to develop machining strategies, select tooling, support fixturing and resolve programming challenges, helping improve cycle times, quality and Right First Time performance.

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Company pension
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Long service awards
• Free onsite parking

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop offline CNC programmes for complex 3, 4 and 5-axis milling operations.
• Create and optimise machining strategies using SolidCAM / CATIA V5.
• Select cutting tools, speeds, feeds and machining methods for efficient production.
• Verify programmes using Vericut where required.
• Support the design of fixtures, workholding and specialist tooling.
• Produce basic CAD models and drawings for internally designed tooling.
• Work directly with CNC machinists and Engineering to prove programmes and resolve machining issues.
• Improve existing programmes to reduce cycle times and increase manufacturing efficiency.

About You

We're looking for someone who understands CNC machining from the shop floor as well as behind the programming screen.

You'll ideally have:

• A time-served CNC machining, production engineering or equivalent practical engineering background.
• Strong offline CNC / CAM programming experience.
• Experience programming 5-axis CNC milling machines.
• Experience using SolidCAM.
• Strong knowledge of tooling, workholding, cutting strategies, speeds and feeds.
• Confidence reading complex engineering drawings and CAD models.
• A practical, problem-solving approach to manufacturing.
• Experience with CATIA V5, Vericut and Fanuc controls would be advantageous.
• Relevant engineering qualifications are welcomed, but significant practical CNC programming and machining experience is equally valuable.

Why Beagle Aircraft?

You'll be working on complex aerospace components rather than repetitive high-volume machining, giving you the opportunity to use your programming and production engineering knowledge to solve real manufacturing challenges.

You’ll work closely with experienced machinists and engineers and have input into CNC programming, tooling, fixturing, machining strategy and continuous improvement.

If you're currently working as a CNC Programmer, 5-Axis Programmer, SolidCAM Programmer, CAM Programmer, Offline Programmer or CNC Milling Programmer, we'd like to hear from you.