Skilled Fitter – CAWDE Operator

About the role

A CAWDE Operator at Airbus Filton operates Electroimpact’s 5‑axis Composite Automated Wing Drilling Equipment to perform high‑precision drilling, countersinking and temporary bolt insertion for A400M wing box assembly.

Key responsibilities

• Load and run CNC part programs on the Electroimpact 5‑axis traveling‑column CNC post‑mill using HMIs, camera monitoring and ride‑on platform controls.
• Drill and countersink holes (¼”–¾”) through multi‑material stacks under continuous joint clamp loads.
• Calibrate system sensors (Renishaw touch probes, optical cameras, magnetic sensors) to align the machine head to wing skin contours.
• Change drill bits and maintain coolant, chip vacuum and coolant recovery systems.
• Verify hole tolerances, countersink depths and automated bolt installations, completing quality tracking documentation.
• Adhere to strict aerospace EHS guidelines while operating heavy automated equipment.

Required profile

• Recognised engineering apprenticeship or NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or Advanced Manufacturing.
• Practical experience operating 5‑axis CNC machines, reading G‑code/M‑code and managing automated machining cycles.
• Knowledge of metal‑composite stack drilling and carbon‑fiber machining dynamics.
• Eligibility for UK Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) clearance.

Required skills

• Operation of Electroimpact 5‑axis CNC equipment.
• Use of Renishaw touch probes and optical metrology tools.
• Reading and interpreting CNC G‑code/M‑code.
• Tool change and coolant system maintenance.