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How a CNC Technician 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 type of work a CNC Technician will 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.

What you can bring to the role

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

Confidence using computers and different software.

What you can bring to the role

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 for a CNC Technician

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 become a CNC Technician

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:

Options available after GCSEs:

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

How a Robotics Technician makes a difference

When we think of robots, most of us have a picture in our minds of a human-like figure made out of metal. However robots – or robotic machines – come in all shapes and sizes and play an important role in the manufacturing, engineering, construction, healthcare, military, and logistics sectors.

Many of the tasks completed by robots are repetitive, detailed, or difficult for people to do safely or quickly. Robots improve accuracy and efficiency, and help protect people. As they are machines, they need to be maintained and programmed, which is where humans come in. You could be the technician who makes sure robots can complete the work they’re required to do to the right standard.

The type of work a Robotics Technician will do

  • Repairing robots and connected equipment
  • Troubleshooting robotic systems
  • Programming different kinds of robotic functions
  • Installing and updating software
  • Maintaining technical documents
  • Advising other people on how robotic functions should work or be designed 
  • Supporting operational teams with ideas for improving systems and processes
Useful skills
Precise
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Problem solving
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Communicating complex ideas
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

An inquisitive mind and a determination to discover how things work.

Fascination with robots and how they can improve processes.

The ability to define a problem and think through possible solutions.

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

A natural talent for making difficult things easy to understand.

The ability to follow detailed instructions carefully and accurately.

A talent for imagining the future and how robots can contribute to the world.

What you can bring to the Robotics Technician role

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

- building, making and fixing things

- exploring problems and finding answers

- exploring computers and coding

£ 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 for a Robotics Technician

Your career in robotics engineering could begin in several different sectors, where you will learn how to make robots, fix and improve them. You could decide to specialise in this sector or transfer your skills to another one.

There will be opportunities to lead technical teams or to move further into research and development of products. You might join a consultancy that focuses on design and innovation.

How to become a Robotics Technician

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:

Options available after GCSEs:

  • A T-level in Science.
  • An apprenticeship as a Laboratory Technician.

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...

Robotics engineering involves multiple kinds of technology, including microprocessors, programmable controllers, electronics, circuits, sensors, hydraulics, and feedback systems. They can also be connected to the internet to share data and become part of a wider manufacturing and logistics system.

Other job titles...

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

Manufacturing Engineer
Process Engineer
Production Support Engineer
Installation Engineer
Quality Engineer

How a CAD Technician makes a difference

Machinery, goods, components, and structures are all developed using computer-aided design (CAD).

CAD brings ideas to life, tests concepts and produces detailed drawings that direct how things need to be made.

There are different software packages for designing different types of product or structure. The accuracy of the drawings produced helps people to imagine what’s possible. You could be the technician who helps to make great ideas a reality.

The type of work a CAD Technician will do

  • Using 2D or 3D software to produce sketches, models and drawings
  • Checking that drawings meet quality and technical standards
  • Finding and fixing inaccuracies or mistakes
  • Communicating with engineers, designers and project managers
  • Reading and interpreting engineers’ drawings
  • Undertaking calculations to work out angles, weights and costs
  • Keeping accurate records of different versions of your design work
Useful skills
Logical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Critical thinking
Skills & attributes
Useful skills
Technologically minded
Skills & attributes

What you can bring to the CAD Technician role

An interest in design.

Excellent listening and understanding skills.

The ability to think carefully about a subject or idea, ask questions and act on what you’ve learned.

What you can bring to the CAD Technician role

A natural tendency to think about a problem from different angles before deciding on the best way forward.

An enjoyment of collaborating with others.

Confidence with computers and an aptitude for learning how to use new software.

What you can bring to the CAD Technician role

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

- art, film, fashion and design

- 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 for a CAD Technician

You could become a design manager leading a team or project, work as a freelance designer or, with further training, become a design or software engineer.

With experience you could also become an engineer, registering with the Engineering Council to get Engineering Technician status.

How to become a CAD Technician

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:

Options available after GCSEs:

More options available after that:

  • A Higher Technical Qualification such as a Higher National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering for England.

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...

Building information modelling (BIM) is a growing field of work in the construction industry that you could get involved in. BIM doesn’t produce a single visual of a building, it produces detailed insights on how a building will be used and the resources it requires, at every stage from design through to construction and live operations. This analysis enables more control over the use of resources.

Other job titles...

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

Design Technician
Structural Technician
BIM Technician
Digital Design Technician
Engineering Design Technician