CNC Machining Specialist
Location: Sydney, Nova Scotia
Term: Full-Time, Permanent
Anticipated Start Date: May 4th, 2026
Type: In Office
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.
https://workdifferently.info/
About Us
Established in 2001, Protocase Inc. is a rapidly expanding company that focuses on combining advances in software with innovative manufacturing techniques to offer unique custom manufacturing to the engineering, design, and research industries. Using the expertise and dedication of 400+ employees (and counting), Protocase is proud to have a client base of more than 16,000 customers throughout North America and around the globe. Customers include Boeing, L3, Raytheon, Google, Apple, Microsoft, NASA, MIT and many more. We are proudly ISO:9001 certified and AS9100D registered, as well as ITAR compliant and registered with Canadian Controlled Goods.
At Protocase, we’re on a rapid growth curve, and we’re looking for driven individuals to help us accelerate. We’re not just another manufacturing company. Our entire business model is built around rethinking custom manufacturing by replacing the craft aspect with well-thought-out, repeatable processes. This approach allows us to deliver the highest-quality parts to our customers in just 2-3 days. Our customers are engineers, scientists and innovators, including Google, Apple, NASA, Tesla, and more! Our team is dedicated, innovative, and always looking for ways to improve. With us, your work will make a significant impact, helping to shape the future of manufacturing.
www.protocase.com
About the Opportunity
Be at the forefront of innovation by experimenting, analyzing, and improving CNC machining processes that directly impact production across the company.
- Identify inefficiencies in current processes and propose practical, scalable solutions
- Design and execute machining experiments to evaluate tooling, strategies, 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 data trends to identify root causes and opportunities for improvement
- Collaborate with operators, engineers, and leadership to refine and implement improvements
- Translate findings into clear, repeatable processes for the production floor
- Balance precision, speed, and practicality when developing machining solutions
- Document experiments, results, and learnings to build shared knowledge across teams
About You
Our ideal candidate is a curious, hands-on problem solver who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and is driven to continuously improve processes through experimentation and collaboration. Here’s what you’ll need to succeed:
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Education: Machining diploma, trade certification, or equivalent hands-on experience
- Experience: 3–4+ years in a CNC machining or manufacturing environment
- Skills:
- Practical problem-solving with ability to deliver immediate solutions and continuously refine them for improvement and growth
- Strong proficiency in CNC machining, including 5-axis milling
- Experience with G-code programming and CAM software
- Ability to analyze data and troubleshoot machining challenges
- A mindset focused on continuous improvement and innovation
- Strong collaboration skills to work across teams and disciplines
- Hands-on approach with the ability to test and validate ideas on the shop floor
- Assets (nice-to-have):
- Experience with lathes, CMMs, or precision machining industries (aerospace, medical, etc.)
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles
- Experience applying scientific or experimental methods to problem-solving
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 $55,000 to $85,000 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.
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YMCA Membership: Access a cost-shared YMCA membership and a Pension Plan after three months of employment.
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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.
