Submit your application online here: https://protocase.bamboohr.com/careers/396?source=aWQ9MTc%3D
Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia
Term: Full-Time, Permanent
Anticipated Start Date: As soon as possible
Type: In Office
⚠ Many of our team members relocated to Cape Breton from across Canada—and they're glad they did. With affordable housing, minimal traffic, stunning scenery, and a welcoming community, Sydney, Nova Scotia offers an exceptional quality of life while giving you the opportunity to work with advanced manufacturing technology and solve challenging engineering problems every day.
Full transparency: we work a little differently around here.
This isn’t just another job where you punch in and punch out. We come to work every day because we strive to earn a living in a meaningful way. Too many people exist without finding joy or purpose in their work, and we believe that’s just wrong. After all, we spend at least a third of our lives working—so why not create workplaces where people want to come to work in the morning and feel good when they leave at the end of the day?
At Protocase, your ideas don’t just matter—they shape our future. We thrive on collaboration and innovation, where every voice is heard, valued, and makes a real impact. Does this sound like something you’d want to be a part of and help grow?
Protocase specializes in custom sheet metal enclosures, panels, and parts for engineers and innovators worldwide, built with unmatched speed and quality. We take the impossible and make it possible for some of the brightest minds on the planet. Learn more about us here: https://workdifferently.info/
About the Opportunity
This is not a traditional CNC machining position.
While you'll spend time operating CNC mills and machining parts, your primary responsibility will be to solve manufacturing problems, develop new machining processes, troubleshoot complex production challenges, and improve how we machine parts across the company.
You'll work on special projects, process development initiatives, tooling evaluations, and machining experiments that help us improve quality, reduce cycle times, increase throughput, and expand our manufacturing capabilities. If you're someone who enjoys figuring out whysomething isn't working, testing solutions, and turning discoveries into repeatable processes, this role was built for you.
What You'll Do
- Investigate root causes of machining challenges and develop solutions to improve tooling, fixturing, machine performance, quality, and cycle times
- Investigate recurring production issues and implement practical, long-term corrective actions
- Lead machining improvement projects from concept through implementation
- Support production teams by providing technical expertise and resolving machining-related issues
- Develop, test, and validate new machining methods for challenging or unique customer parts
- Identify inefficiencies in machining processes and develop practical, scalable solutions
- Design and execute machining experiments to evaluate tooling, strategies, programming approaches, and process improvements
- Operate CNC mills (including 5-axis machines) to test and validate new ideas in a hands-on environment
- Analyze machining outcomes and production data to identify root causes and improvement opportunities
- Develop and improve machining standards, best practices, and process guidelines used across the organization
- Collaborate with machinists, programmers, engineers, and leadership to implement process improvements
- Translate findings into clear, repeatable processes that improve quality, efficiency, and consistency
- Balance precision, speed, manufacturability, and practicality when developing machining solutions
- Document experiments, results, and learnings to build organizational knowledge and support continuous improvement
About You
This role is for you if you:
- Love figuring out why machining problems occur
- Enjoy process improvement more than repetitive production work
- Like experimenting with tooling, feeds, speeds, and machining strategies
- Get excited about reducing cycle times and improving quality
- Want to influence how an entire manufacturing operation machines parts
This role is probably not for you if you are looking primarily for:
- A production-only CNC operator role
- Repetitive machining work with limited process development responsibilities
- A position focused solely on running parts rather than improving processes
Education:
- Machining diploma, trade certification, engineering technology diploma, or equivalent hands-on experience
Required Experience:
- 3+ years of CNC machining experience
- Strong experience troubleshooting machining processes and identifying root causes
- Experience improving machining processes, tooling strategies, cycle times, quality, or productivity
- Experience independently solving technical machining challenges
- Experience working with engineering, programming, or manufacturing teams to implement improvements
Skills:
- Strong proficiency in CNC machining, including 5-axis milling
- Experience with G-code programming and CAM software
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to evaluate data and make evidence-based decisions
- Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for innovation
- Strong collaboration and communication skills
- Hands-on approach with the ability to test and validate ideas on the shop floor
Assets (Nice-to-Have):
- Experience with lathes and CMMs
- Experience in aerospace, medical, or other precision manufacturing industries
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles
- Experience designing, executing, and documenting process improvement or machining trials
- Experience applying structured problem-solving or experimental methods to manufacturing challenges
Why Us?
At Protocase, we believe in recognizing and rewarding hard work and dedication.
Our starting annual total compensation package—including base salary and performance incentives—ranges from $69,776.58 to $91,755.94 CAD, depending on experience.
In addition, you can look forward to:
Training and Growth: Leadership Training and skills development opportunities, as well as regular coaching and opportunity for growth.
Comprehensive Health Care Plan and Company RRSP: Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, and Group Insurance benefits as well as a Registered Retirement Savings Plan at 6 months of full time employment.
Community Discounts: Enjoy discounts at local shops and restaurants.
YMCA Membership: Access a cost-shared YMCA membership and a Pension Plan after three months of employment.
Vacation: Two weeks of vacation, increasing to three weeks after three years, and four weeks after five years.
Social Events: Regular social events, including seasonal parties and monthly lunches.
Lifestyle of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia: Live in a community with quick commutes, affordable homes on generous plots of land, beautiful scenery, and friendly people—a lifestyle that marries nature with a vibrant culture.
Submit your application online here: https://protocase.bamboohr.com/careers/396?source=aWQ9MTc%3D
Pay: $69,776.58-$91,755.94 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
