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CNC Operator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Edited by Indeed Employer Content Team
Last updated 5 November 2025
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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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7 min read

A CNC Operator, or CNC Machinist, is in charge of operating the computer numerical control (CNC) machine. They produce machined parts according to established parameters and specifications. Some perform inspections of industrial machines and work areas. A CNC Operator also calibrates all machines to their proper operating levels.

CNC Operator duties and responsibilities

A CNC Operator primarily carves and shapes plastics, metals and woods. A vital part of their job is ensuring the accuracy of their machinery. The CNC Operator is expected to perform duties and responsibilities that include:

  • Using the CNC machine
  • Operating industrial machinery, which can include a hydraulic press, grinder, borer or overhead crane
  • Fitting the right tools to active machines
  • Performing proper set-up and calibration procedures for all equipment and accessories
  • Setting tolerance levels and cutting speeds
  • Translates the requirements of detailed part drawings into measurements for production
  • Inspecting workflows to ensure that technical and quality standards are met
  • Devising a work plan to efficiently carry out daily machining

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CNC Operator Job Description Examples:

Example 1

Company description

Ash Precision Engineering is a family run business in Fleet , Hampshire, we pride ourselves in the quality of our work. , we hold many years’ experience of hands-on precision engineering, design and machining and a growing portfolio of notable [website] work with a variety of CNC machinery and high-tech equipment for milling and turning.

Job description

Successful skilled candidate/candidates will be required to program/set and operate Hurco milling [website] line 3D capability's essencial

Industry: Industrial Manufacturing

Job Type: Permanent

Salary: From £20.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Fleet, GU51 5RX: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:
  • GCSE or equivalent (preferred)

Reference ID: start date: 27/06/2022

Example 2

Job Summary

To undertake programming setting and manufacturing operations, assembly and cleaning of components to customer orders.

Responsibilities and Duties

1) Program, Set and Operate CNC Turing Centers.

2) Read engineering drawings.

3) Selection of tooling and fixturing and appropriate speeds and feeds for material being machined.

4) Inspection and Pass Off of machined parts to ensure quality.

5) Assembly of components and ensuring correct operation.

6) Chamfer and wire brushing components to remove swarf and small burrs.

7) Completion of Works Order Paperwork and CNC programs storage.

8) Setting and operating automatic saw.

9) Any other tasks as required for the smooth running of the factory.

Qualifications and Skills

Previous experience of programming setting and operating CNC turning centres, first off inspection and the selection of tooling.

A high degree of numeracy and literacy and it is expected that this can be demonstrated by appropriate qualifications.

Job Types: Full-time, to Friday

Example 3

Job Description – Welding and Finishing Operative

We are looking to welcome a CNC Operator to our team, producing quality products to meet the exacting demands of our clientele. This will be a role for someone who is diligent and has a ‘Can-do’ attitude.

The below describes the key activities that be expected of the applicant:

  • Setup, adjust and prepare press brake for operation
  • Reading and interpreting technical drawings and work orders.
  • Produce quality parts in a timely fashion.
  • Perform quality control checks on parts.
  • Maintain accurate records of production and material usage.
  • Performing preventive maintenance on the machines
  • Adherence to company health and safety procedures

Location

Hertfordshire

Salary and benefits

This role has generous benefits along with a competitive salary for someone with some level of experience and a good entry point for someone with no experience.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £22,000.00-£31,528.01 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends



Ability to Commute:
  • Royston (preferred)

Ability to Relocate:
  • Royston: Relocate before starting work (preferred)


Work In person

Example 4

CNC Operator
About us

Shelley Engineering is a metal manufacturing business in Mitcham, near Croydon CR4 4TU. We are a well established metalwork company offering an exciting and varied role. Our goal is to provide a quality metalwork service to our customers.

Our work environment includes:
  • Flexible working hours
  • Safe work environment
  • On-the-job training
  • International workforce
  • Growth opportunities
  • Relaxed atmosphere

A skilled CNC Operatoris needed to join our well-established south London based workshop.

We manufacture of a range of different sheet metal products working with mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, aluminium alloys

Skills and experience required:

Good understanding of sheet metal work - ideally able to use press brakes, guillotines, polishers and punches

Knowledge of CNC cutting machines and auto cad drawing

Must be able to read engineering drawings

Welding experience would be useful but not essential

Personal skills required:

Must be self-motivated and proactive as it is important that work is manufactured to customers’ deadlines

Be able to work in a team to deadlines and client briefs
Must be punctual, reliable and have a hard-working attitude.

Ability to communicate well with customers and colleagues is essential to ensure jobs are accurate, on time and of high quality.

General Terms

Mon to Fri 7.30am - 4.45pm

Annual Leave 23 days plus bank holidays

Overtime available and paid at time and a half

Pension Scheme with People’s Pension
Competitive Salary

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £13.00-£13.75 per hour

Benefits:
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Mitcham, CR4 4TU: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)

Experience:
  • Press Brake Operator: 1 year (preferred)
  • CNC cutting machine: 1 year (preferred)

Application deadline: 04/07/2022
Reference ID: CNC start date: 11/07/2022

Example 5

Wessex Lifts have nearly 50 years of experience helping our customers achieve mobility in their homes and business with our lift solutions. We now have an opportunity for an experienced and enthusiastic CNC Machinist to join our team in our Romsey Head Office, helping people and making a real impact by manufacturing lifting equipment (stairlifts, through-floor lifts, and platform lifts) vital to their everyday life.



Your Role:
  • Operate a CNC machine using existing programs and drawings
  • Ensure all work is clearly identified with correct accompanying paperwork
  • Carry out low level machine maintenance
  • Ensure adherence to safety checks, and factory regulations



Our Ideal Candidate:
  • A minimum of 5 years experience as a CNC Machine Operator
  • Ability to program from drawings, a Dugard 2000XP and a Dugard Eagle – a three axis VMC with Siemans software control
  • Able to work unsupervised to fine tolerances
  • Knowledge of quality procedures and health and safety
  • Accurate and methodical
  • Flexible attitude



Why Choose Us?
  • Competitive salary
  • Free parking
  • Life Insurance
  • Paid sickness scheme (after short qualifying period)
  • Company pension scheme
  • 28 days holiday including bank holidays increasing with length of service
  • Employee Assistance Programme
  • Perkbox - Employee Discounts with popular retailers

If this sounds like the role for you, we would love to hear from you!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: £35,000.00-£40,000.00 per year

Benefits:
  • Company pension
  • Employee discount
  • Free parking
  • Health & wellbeing programme
  • Life insurance
  • On-site parking
  • Referral programme
  • Sick pay
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday
Supplemental pay types:
  • Bonus Location: In person

Example 6

CNC Operator

Our client, a well- established manufacturing company located in the Newry Area, are in search of a CNC Operator to join their team.

Main Responsibilities:

· Liaising with the Quality Manager

· Operating CNC machinery in line with the company’s policies and procedures

· Ensuring that products are manufactured within the required time frame

· Selecting accurate programmes for specific parts

· Testing machinery and ensuring they meet drawing specifications

· Adjusting and changing machinery offsets and tools as necessary to meet dimensional and output requirements

· Ensuring that CNC Machinery is cleaned and maintained on a daily basis to ensure they meet optimal production condition requirements

· Using precision measuring equipment e.g. micrometre, dial calliper

· Editing and modifying CNC programmes to optimise performance

The successful candidate must have:

· A minimum of 2 years previous experience using CNC Machinery is essential

· Attention to detail

· Strong interpersonal skills

· Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

· Team working skills

The successful candidate will receive:

· Attractive salary

· Generous pension contribution

· In house training provided

· Career progression

· A range of other employee benefits…

What you need to do now

This truly is a great role, if you’re interested in this role, click ‘apply now’ to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV or call [phone number]7

INDHP

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £13.00-£15.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • Company pension
Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Newry and Mourne: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:
  • GCSE or equivalent Location: One location

Example 7

Siamo Recruitment are delighted to be working with a growing client who are hiring for talented CNC Operators to join their close-knit, friendly growing team in Cirencester.

With a fantastic benefits package, you will be joining a company that truly values their staff and is keen to helping their employees grow within the organisation.

The ideal candidate will have experience in setting up and operating CNC machines, including turning, drilling and tapping operations on various component parts of mechanical shaft seals in a production mode.

This position will see the successful candidate earn up to £33k per year, with bonus potential.

The Hours

37.75 hours per week:

  • Week 1 - 0600 to 1400 Monday-Friday
  • Week 2 - 1400 to Midnight Monday – Thursday (Friday’s OFF!)

Why join our client
  • Salary up to - £33, 540 depending on experience (inclusive of 29% shift allowance)
  • 25 days annual leave + Bank Holidays
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Overtime available.
  • Potential for bonus scheme up to 6%
  • Health Scheme & Life Insurance
  • Pension Plan 6% with Salary Sacrifice Scheme 2%
  • Monthly gym contribution
  • Free fruit available
  • Cycle to work Scheme

As a CNC Operator you will have the below responsibilities:
  • Work from process sheets, blueprints, set up sheets, set up cards and more.
  • Insert and secure tooling in machine turrets
  • Installing programs into the memory banks
  • Turn, face, bore, drill, and thread ream component parts having several inner and external interrelated surface relationships
  • Inspect finished product for proper dimensions and document results
  • Troubleshoot and adjust offset co-ordinates
  • Modify, and edit programs to compensate for materials, tooling, or machine centre conditions

The ideal candidate will have the following exposure and attributes:
  • Ability to set-up and operate CNC Lathes and/or CNC Mill Machines
  • Ability to use various types of precision measuring instruments
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Equivalent to 3 years of applied training in a particular or specialized occupation

Contact Lisa today for more information, or submit an application today: 01285 640734.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £21,000.00-£33,000.00 per year

Additional pay:
  • Bonus scheme
Schedule:
  • 8 hour to Friday

Example 8

CNC Operator (Night Shift)

Aspex UK are looking for a CNC Operator to work on night-shifts, working hours will be Monday to Thursday 2.30pm to 12.30am (4 days weekly x 10hr shifts).

Job Responsibilities

  • Good experience operating a CNC machine, preferably working with timber products
  • Program, set up and operate CNC machines to meet production requirements
  • Ability to read production orders and understand technical drawings to determine the correct machine operation and setup to achieve desired results
  • Operate CNC machines and tools safely in accordance with manufacturer’s guidance and health and safety protocols
  • Thoroughly check cutting tools, materials and end-results to make sure they match requirements
  • Inspect machine performance regularly to optimise production and quality
  • Make sure working area is clean and tidy at all times

Personal qualities:

  • Hard-working and self-motivated
  • Team player
  • Attention to detail
  • Available and committed to work night-shifts

Job Overview

  • Hours – 2.30pm to 12:30am (4 days a week, 10hr shifts)
  • Holiday benefits (20 days, plus bank holiday)
  • On-site parking

Salary: From £13.00 per hour / Job Type: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits

  • Free fruit and snacks available at office
  • Free car parking on-site
  • Fun Christmas parties, summer ice-cream treats & more!
  • Mental wellness support programme

Exciting opportunity with a great team

We are one of UK’s leading manufacturers offering bespoke interior fitout solutions – doorsets, ironmongery and smart access control. Aspex work on UK’s top hotels, residential, education and healthcare projects, working directly with leading contractors nationwide. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Bench Joiner to join our fast, growing doorsets division.

Equality & diversity always

Aspex UK is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion. Our aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of our diverse society and customers, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best with every deserved opportunity.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: From £13.00 per hour

Benefits:
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Night shift
  • Overtime
  • Weekend Location: In person

Example 9

Looking for CNC jobs in Swindon? Our client, based in East Swindon, is looking to recruit a skilled CNC machine operatorto work Monday to Thursday with a THREE-DAY Weekend earning £13 - £16/hour DOEto support their growth plans. Our client are specialised in the production of long-lasting components from Cobalt and Nickel based alloys. These are predominantly used in the defence, aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, and food industries in environments where high temperatures, corrosion and abrasion can limit a product’s life.

Skilled CNC Operator job responsibilities

Working over a 4-day weekand reporting to the shop-floor supervisor, the candidate will be responsible for the following, therefore, experience is essential:

  • Setting and operating CNC lathes.
  • Creating, reading and adjusting programs, changing offsets and setting work-shifts.
  • Operating a wide range of measurement devices, procedures and machining techniques.
  • Ability to perform complex machining processes, which may include prototype products.
  • Ability to produce new programs from drawings for parts, for new and existing customers.
  • Diligent adherence to company performance, quality and any Non-Conformance reported.
  • Ability to perform inspection duties i.e. measuring and documenting from inspection reports and where applicable be able to use CMM machines as and when required.
  • Performing in-line inspection to verify work (training will be given).

Benefits with ContactCORP

You'll be working Monday to Wednesday, 7am till 5pm, and 7am to 4:30pm Thursdays earning a highly competitive salary. Plus, you'll have a completely paid Christmas shutdown!

CNC operator job requirements

  • A minimum of 3 years’ experience operating CNC Lathes.
  • Ability to read and understand engineering drawings.
  • GCE ‘C’ or equivalent in Mathematics
  • Ability to work on own initiative where appropriate and take instruction from the team.
  • Ability to learn and develop within reasonable timescales.
  • Experience of operating Fanuc and/or Heidenhain machines desirable.

Apply for CNC jobs today

To apply contact us on 01793 987091 or QUICK APPLY IN 30-Seconds below!

ContactCORP are acting as a recruitment business in regards to this Skilled CNC Operator job in Swindon, on behalf of our client.

By applying for jobs with ContactCORP ltd, you are consenting to being contacted via email, phone, and text message using the information you have provided. You also broadly consent to ContactCORP forwarding your application associated with this job advertisement to the appropriate client. This action will be undertaken in conjunction with you providing separate consent to do so.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: £13.00-£16.00 per hour

Schedule:
  • 10 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday
  • No weekends

Work Location: One ID: 663

Example 10

About Us: At Benchdogs Tools, we pride ourselves on precision and quality in manufacturing. We are a forward-thinking company dedicated to innovation and excellence. Join our team and be part of a supportive and dynamic work environment where your skills and expertise will be valued.

Job Description: We are seeking a skilled CNC Router Machine Operator to join our team. The ideal candidate will have experience operating CNC routers and will be responsible for setting up, operating, and maintaining the machines to produce high-quality components according to specifications.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Set up and operate CNC router machines to perform various tasks such as drilling, cutting, and shaping materials.
  • Interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and specifications to determine machine settings and adjustments.
  • Load materials onto the machine and secure them properly.
  • Monitor the machine's operation and make necessary adjustments to ensure accuracy and quality.
  • Perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting on CNC routers to ensure optimal performance.
  • Inspect finished products for quality and adherence to specifications.
  • Maintain a clean and organised work area.
  • Follow all safety guidelines and protocols.

Qualifications:
  • Proven experience as a CNC Router Machine Operator or similar role.
  • Strong understanding of CNC router operations and machine maintenance.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and blueprints.
  • Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to producing high-quality work.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot machine issues.
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work well in a team.
  • Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic.

*Preferred Qualifications:
  • Certification or vocational training in CNC machining or a related field.
  • Experience with various materials such as wood, plastics, and metals.

What We Offer:
  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Opportunities for professional growth and development.
  • A supportive and collaborative work environment.
  • State-of-the-art equipment and tools.

How to Apply: If you are a skilled CNC Router Machine Operator looking to join a dynamic and innovative team, please send your CV and a brief cover letter to [insert email address] or apply online at [insert application link].

Benchdog Tools is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

No Agencies or Overseas applications

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £11.00-£13.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:
  • Casual dress
  • Company pension
  • Free parking
  • On-site parking
Schedule:
  • Monday to Friday
Supplemental pay types:
  • Bonus scheme



Education:
  • GCSE or equivalent (preferred)


Work Location: In ID: CNC R
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What does a CNC Operator do?

A CNC Operator uses the CNC machine to manufacture parts required in a company’s workflow. They follow diagrams or shape parts for custom fittings. A CNC Operator must ensure that machines produce parts that meet quality standards.

CNC Operator skills and qualifications

A CNC Operator may work across various industries, including the manufacturing, aerospace and automotive sectors. The job is largely technical in nature.A successful CNC Operator candidate must will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications that typically include:

  • Maths skills, including geometry and trigonometry
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Production-machinery maintenance
  • Software programing via CAD and CAM programs
  • Metalworking and machine tooling
  • CNC machine programming
  • Application of ISO quality standards

CNC Operator experience requirements

A CNC Operator is a highly technical job position. Most employers want at least six months of work experience, while some prefer several years of experience, but it depends on the position and the company. Employers may prefer to hire a candidate who has previously worked in the same industry. A CNC Operator can expect to perform similar work across any industry however, the blueprints and part drawings will vary from one company to another. In addition, CNC Operators transferring to another industry must be aware of all quality control standards. They must also comply with the industry’s safety guidelines.

CNC Operator education and training requirements

A CNC Operator must have training in a Level 1 Certificate in Performing Engineering Operations. A Level 1 Certificate in Engineering and Manufacturing and a Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. A CNC Operator needs a minimum of two General Certificates of Secondary Education (GCSEs) at grades 3 to 1 for a Level 1 course. This includes a minimum of two GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 for a Level 2 course. Employers also consider CNC Operators that have completed an apprenticeship program.

CNC Operator salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a CNC Operator is £11.37 per hour. The starting salary of a successful candidate may vary depending on the candidate’s level of experience, the location of the job and the company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description for a CNC Operator isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, here are some job descriptions for related positions:

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CNC Operator job description FAQs

Two chefs, one wearing a red headband, review a laptop and take notes at a wooden table in a kitchen setting.

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