About the Trust
We're one of the UK’s biggest charities and we care for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs because we believe life is better by water. We're looking for people who support our cause and want to make a difference for future generations. Could this be you?
Along with our waterways we also manage museums, archives and the country's third largest collection of historic buildings, as well as the nature and wildlife that calls our canals home. All of this enables us to provide wellbeing opportunities for millions of people each year.
Join Our Team: CNC Operator/Programmer opportunity
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Our Bradley Workshop (Bilston, West Midlands) plays a vital role in preserving and maintaining the nation's waterways, manufacturing and repairing lock gates and other critical infrastructure that keep the network operating safely and efficiently. This is an exciting time to join the Trust as we invest in a new generation of manufacturing capability, including the introduction of state-of-the-art Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) technology, helping to blend traditional craftsmanship with modern engineering techniques to support our historic waterways for years to come.
We currently have an excellent opportunity to join the Trust as a CNC Operator/Programmer. In this role, you will be contributing to the building/supplying/repairing complete lock gate and lock gate parts in line with safety requirements, Trust policies and heritage standards. We are looking for an organised and experienced CNC Operator/Programmer, who demonstrates the required skills & experience in operating a state-of-the-art CNC machine, where Health and Safety standards high levels of quality and efficient working practices are central to how they work.
This is a brand-new role for the team, created to support the introduction of a new CNC machine due to arrive in January 2026. Joining the Trust in Autumn 2026, you'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in our operations, heritage assets, and manufacturing processes while undertaking orientation, training, and familiarisation. Working closely with colleagues across the workshop, you'll play a key role in helping shape our CNC strategy, processes, and ways of working as we establish this exciting new capability for the future.
- To see how we do this, click here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tD5wtd36NHc) AND here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGucbWhD5s8).
- Further information here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/specialist-teams/engineering/building-lock-gates).
Working Hours & Travel
You will be based in our Bradley Workshop, Bradley Lane, Bilston, West Midlands. WV14 8DW.
Role Overview
Our CNC Operator/Programmer will operate and programme a brand new, purpose built and state of the art 5 axis CNC machine and be responsible for the efficient machining of component parts to produce lock gates in Green Oak and tropical hardwoods such as Ekki and Greenheart in line with production programme requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Program, set up, and operate CNC woodworking machinery to manufacture lock gate components including gate leaves, balance beams, heel posts, quoins, and structural timbers.
- Produce and amend CNC programs from drawings, CAD models, and engineering specifications.
- Machine large section hardwood timbers to required tolerance, ensuring correct fit, function, and longevity of assets.
- Carry out first off and in process quality checks, supporting asset integrity and safe operation.
- Work alongside Engineers, Lock Gate Technicians, CAD Technicians, Joiners, Fabricators & installation teams to support efficient manufacture and assembly.
- Safely handle and position heavy timber components using appropriate lifting equipment.
- Complete routine machine checks, cleaning, and basic preventative maintenance.
- Comply with all Trust health, safety, and environmental procedures, including PUWER, LOLER and COSHH.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of CNC processes, tooling, and efficiency.
- Support training or mentoring of apprentices and less experienced colleagues when required.
- Safety – Ensuring the machine is safe to run based on maintenance, tool wear and calibration and in full compliance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, provided training and in compliance with the Safe Operating Procedures.
- Programme Optimisation – Ensuring that the correct tooling, tool paths, spindle speeds, sequencing and scheduling is identified to ensure that the optimum cycle time is achieved.
- Quality Control – Ensuring the correct quality is achieved through determining tolerance verification, choosing the correct inspection methodology and accepting or rejecting a machined component based on the completed inspections.
- Always Displaying the Trust Values.
- Ensuring that diversity, equality and inclusion are integrated into all aspects of Trust life and promoting inclusion by challenging behaviour, practices, actions, or decisions that are counter to the objectives of the Trust’s policies and values.
About You
You’ll have experience programming, setting up, and operating CNC machinery, with strong CAD/CAM skills and a focus on quality, safety, and continuous improvement. You'll be confident working with precision engineered timber components, troubleshooting machinery, and maintaining high standards of workmanship. Holding a relevant NVQ, City & Guilds, or equivalent qualification, you'll be a collaborative team player who takes pride in delivering high-quality outcomes.
Skills & Qualifications
Core Technical Knowledge:
- CNC programming; Ability to write, edit, and optimise CNC programs including toolpaths for large hardwood sections.
- CAD/CAM proficiency; Skilled in software, specifically Fusion 360, or SolidWorks CAM, especially for woodworking applications.
- Machine setup; Competence in setting up multi axis CNC routers or machining centres, including fixturing, tool selection, and calibration.
- Tooling knowledge; Understanding of cutters, feeds, speeds, chip load, and tooling life when machining hardwoods (Oak, Ekki, Greenheart, Opepe etc.).
- G code understanding; Ability to interpret and manually adjust G code for accuracy, efficiency, and safety.
Woodworking & Material Specific Knowledge:
- Hardwood machining expertise; Knowledge of grain behaviour, tear out prevention, moisture content, and structural considerations for large timber sections.
- Material handling; Safe handling of heavy, oversized hardwood components using forklifts/side loaders and cranes.
- Surface quality control; Ability to achieve high precision tolerances and clean finishes on hardwood.
Operational & Safety Knowledge:
- Machine maintenance; Routine maintenance, troubleshooting, and fault finding on CNC woodworking machinery.
- Health & safety compliance; Knowledge of PUWER, LOLER, COSHH dust extraction standards, PPE, and safe operation of high speed cutting equipment.
- Quality assurance; Ability to inspect components using calliper’s, gauges, templates, and 3D measurement tools.
Essential Certifications:
- NVQ Level 2/3 or City & Guilds in Wood Machining, Joinery, CNC Machining, or equivalent
- CNC Programming certification (manufacturer specific or general).
General:
- Working knowledge of Microsoft programmes including Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook.
- Comply with Canal & River Trust Health & Safety policy and defined standards, report incidents, accidents and near misses. Assess the risks and make adjustments to work methods where appropriate. Ensure all equipment is appropriate for the task. Consider your own and others behaviour.
- To be aware of your own responsibilities regarding safeguarding and to support our commitment to providing safe environments and working practises that promote and protect the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults at risk at all times.
Contact & Application
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at
[email protected]. We encourage early applications as we may close the vacancy once we receive enough suitable candidates.
What We Offer
In addition to your annual base salary of £36,000 - £38,977, we also offer a competitive pension scheme, increasing holiday entitlement, and a range of employee benefits. For a full breakdown of our benefits, check out our brochure here: EVP - 1 (https://canalrivertrust.pagetiger.com/cqhhihy/1).
#INDLP
Our values
We care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce where everyone can thrive. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
We want everyone to have the opportunity to perform at their best during our recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments - whether for a disability, neurodiversity, or health condition - please let us know what you need and how we can support you. We’ll work with you to make any necessary changes.
All of our jobs can be considered on a part time, flexible or job share basis.
We operate a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the role. You are considered disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term negative effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. We recognise not everyone who is classified as disabled under the Equality Act personally identifies this way, or with this definition of disability. Please do not let this discourage you from applying under the scheme.
At Canal & River Trust, we are committed to fair, transparent, and ethical recruitment practices. As part of our hiring process, we may use AI to analyse applications and support us work more efficiently. However, all hiring decisions – without exception - are made by our hiring managers.
Navigate your future and lock in your career as we keep our canals open and alive.
Find out more about us on our website: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us
