CNC Machining, CAM and Toolroom Recruitment
Engineering and technical appointments within advanced manufacturing.
The best CNC programmers and toolmakers are rarely looking. They are busy, well paid and loyal to a machine shop that treats them well. Core Search finds them, tests them properly and brings them to you.
Roles we recruit
CNC Programmers
Programming and proving out on 3, 4 and 5-axis machining centres, mill-turn and multi-tasking machines.
5-Axis CNC Machinists
CNC millers, turners, mill-turn operators and setters working to tight tolerances on complex parts.
CAM Engineers
Toolpath strategy, post-processors, simulation and process planning for prototype and production work.
Toolmakers and Toolroom Engineers
Press tools, injection moulds, jigs and fixtures, composite tooling, EDM and grinding.
Machine Shop Supervisors and Managers
Leading machining teams, capacity, scheduling, quality and continuous improvement.
Software, controls and machines we search for
We search across every common platform. If your shop runs it, we can find people who know it.
CAM software
hyperMILL, Siemens NX CAM, Mastercam, Autodesk PowerMill, FeatureCAM, Fusion 360, Esprit, Edgecam, GibbsCAM, SolidCAM, CAMWorks, Alphacam, Tebis, WorkNC, CATIA Machining, Creo NC, TopSolid and Vericut verification.
CNC controls
Siemens Sinumerik, Heidenhain TNC, Fanuc, Mazak Mazatrol, Okuma OSP, Haas, Hurco WinMax, Mitsubishi, Fagor, Brother, DMG MORI CELOS and Hermle.
Machines and processes
DMG MORI, Mazak, Hermle, Matsuura, Okuma, Haas, Doosan, Hurco, Citizen and Star sliding head, wire and spark EDM, jig and surface grinding, and CMM inspection.
Why these hires are hard
Skilled 5-axis and CAM people form a small, well-known pool, and most of them never answer an advert. Job boards attract people who want to move, not always the people you want to hire.
When a good programmer does look, they field several offers and a counter-offer from their current employer. Speed and a clear process decide who wins them.
How we search
- We challenge the specification where it narrows the pool without adding value. For example, we ask whether the control system really matters or the CAM package does.
- We map the local market before we start, so you know how many people fit and what they earn.
- We headhunt directly, rather than waiting for applications.
- We test technical depth before you meet anyone: controls, materials, tolerances, setup and prove-out experience.
- We manage the offer and the counter-offer, because that is where machining hires are usually lost.
Who we work with
Precision subcontract machine shops, motorsport and aerospace manufacturers, and toolrooms supporting composites, moulding and press work, across Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and the UK.
Questions
Do you recruit contract or temporary machinists?
Core Search handles permanent roles. For temporary cover, our sister business Staffed can help.
How quickly can you shortlist?
For most roles, we share a market view within days and a shortlist within two weeks. Rare skills take longer.
What areas do you cover?
Oxfordshire, Warwickshire and the wider Midlands are our base, and we recruit nationally.
Need a CNC programmer, CAM engineer or toolmaker?
Tell us what you are trying to hire and we will tell you honestly what the market looks like.