Company Overview
Aerotron Group provides total Aircraft Product Support to the aviation industry, with a strong focus on quality, compliance and traceability.
This role sits within Aerotron Composites (Aerospace & Defence), engineering, manufacturing and repairing composite and metallic components from its Chatteris facility.
Location
Aerotron Composites Ltd, Spitfire House, Fenton Way, Chatteris, PE16 6UP.
Employment Type
Full-time, Permanent (40 hours per week)
Role Summary
Operate and setting CNC milling machines (primarily 5-axis) and support manual machining (mills/lathes) for tooling manufacture/refurbishment, manufacturing parts and tooling to tight tolerances with full paperwork and traceability in an aerospace-quality environment.
Key Responsibilities
* Set and run CNC 5-axis milling machines to produce patterns, CNC machining fixtures and composite parts to drawing/specification.
* Support manual machining tasks (manual mill, Colchester lathe, pillar drills) for tooling manufacture/refurbishment.
* Read and interpret engineering drawings and specifications (including GD&T where applicable).
* Select tools, set offsets, set datums, prove out jobs, and optimise feeds/speeds within agreed process limits.
* Carry out first-off and in-process inspection using precision measuring equipment; record results accurately.
* Maintain paperwork, job packs, and traceability documentation to aerospace standards.
* Escalate quality concerns, raise/assist with NCRs where required, and support continuous improvement.
* Maintain safe working practices, housekeeping and correct PPE usage.
Required Qualifications & Skills (Must-have)
* Strong CNC milling experience operating and setting 3 to 5-axis machines.
* Manual machining capability (manual mill and lathe) for tooling work.
* Conversant with CNC controls (Fanuc and Heidenhain knowledge particularly useful; other controls considered).
* Strong understanding of paperwork/traceability requirements in a controlled/regulated environment.
* Confident interpreting technical drawings and working to tight tolerances.
* Quality-focused, reliable, and able to work to output targets under a Section Head’s direction.
Preferred Qualifications & Skills (Nice-to-have)
* Experience in aerospace, composites, defence, or similarly regulated industries.
* 5-axis experience (beneficial but not essential if the right 3-axis/hand skills and attitude to learn are present).
Machines / Plant & Capability (site-specific)
* 5-Axis machining centres (4 total):
* Belotti Vaga x 2
* Belotti FLA Twin Pallet x 1
* MultiAX x 1
* Controls: Fanuc or Heidenhain.
* Composite machining capability: parts from approx. 200mm cubed up to 6m x 3m x 3m.
* Metallic cutting / tooling manufacture & refurb equipment:
* Haas CNC mills (3 + 1)
* Colchester lathe
* Manual mill
* Pillar drills
Working Hours / Shift Pattern
* Standard working week: 40 hours, Monday to Friday.
* Early shift: 06:00–15:00 (30 mins lunch + two 15 min breaks). Breaks taken at Section Head discretion to achieve best output.
* Potential late shift requirement (to be discussed): 14:00–01:00 Monday to Thursday (30 mins lunch + two 15 min breaks). Breaks taken at Section Head discretion to achieve best output.
Working Conditions & Physical Requirements
* Workshop/manufacturing environment (standing for long periods, manual handling of tooling/fixtures within safe limits, PPE required).
* Must follow safe systems of work and quality processes suitable for aerospace/composites production.