CNC Maintenance Engineer

CNC Maintenance Engineer
Job Description
Primus Aerospace is a leading manufacturing partner to aerospace, defense, and space OEMs, Primes, and Tier I suppliers. We specialize in producing high-tolerance, complex geometry components machined from standard and exotic metals. Our team supports major aerospace manufacturers—including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman—by delivering precision parts for mission-critical civilian and defense programs.
Job Summary
The CNC Maintenance Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, and operational efficiency of advanced CNC manufacturing equipment and supporting facility systems. This position serves as a senior technical resource for complex equipment diagnostics, preventative and corrective maintenance, machine installations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The ideal candidate brings extensive hands-on experience with CNC machinery, industrial electrical systems, mechanical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, and automation controls. This role requires advanced troubleshooting capabilities, strong analytical skills, and the ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex equipment failures while implementing long-term solutions to maximize machine uptime.
Key Responsibilities
CNC Equipment Maintenance & Reliability
Lead preventative, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities for CNC lathes, mills, grinders, multi-axis machining centers, and other precision manufacturing equipment.
Develop, implement, and optimize preventative maintenance programs to improve equipment reliability, extend machinery life, and minimize unplanned downtime.
Evaluate equipment performance, identify recurring maintenance issues, and implement proactive solutions to improve operational efficiency.
Establish maintenance standards, procedures, and best practices to support equipment reliability and manufacturing productivity.
Advanced Troubleshooting & Technical Support
Independently diagnose and resolve complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and CNC control system failures.
Troubleshoot CNC control systems, including Fanuc, Haas, Okuma, Siemens, and other industrial machine controllers.
Diagnose electrical systems, including PLCs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo motors, spindle drives, sensors, relays, and industrial control circuits.
Utilize electrical schematics, ladder logic, diagnostic software, and precision testing equipment to identify and correct equipment malfunctions.
Perform root cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Provide advanced technical support to production and engineering teams to resolve equipment-related challenges.
Equipment Installation, Calibration & Optimization
Lead or support the installation, commissioning, relocation, leveling, alignment, and qualification of CNC machinery and related equipment.
Perform precision mechanical adjustments, calibration, and alignment to maintain equipment accuracy and manufacturing tolerances.
Collaborate with equipment manufacturers, OEM service technicians, and external vendors on complex repairs, upgrades, and technical support.
Evaluate opportunities for equipment modifications, automation improvements, and machine performance enhancements.
Support new equipment integration and ensure machinery meets operational, safety, and performance requirements.
Maintenance Strategy & Continuous Improvement
Analyze equipment downtime, maintenance trends, and recurring failures to identify opportunities for improved reliability.
Support the development and monitoring of key maintenance performance indicators, including equipment uptime, mean time between failures (MTBF), and mean time to repair (MTTR).
Recommend equipment upgrades, replacement parts, and maintenance investments based on operational needs and cost effectiveness.
Partner with production, quality, and engineering teams to implement lean manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs, improve equipment utilization, and increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
Documentation, Safety & Compliance
Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment service histories, technical documentation, and preventative maintenance schedules.
Read and interpret complex electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, hydraulic diagrams, pneumatic schematics, and equipment manuals.
Manage critical spare parts requirements and coordinate with suppliers to ensure availability of essential maintenance components.
Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety requirements, and company safety policies.
Support general facility maintenance and infrastructure improvements as needed.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to maintenance technicians and machine operators on equipment care, troubleshooting, and preventative maintenance practices.
Qualifications and Skills
Education & Experience
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical discipline preferred.
Equivalent combinations of technical education, specialized training, and extensive hands-on CNC maintenance experience will be considered.
5+ years of experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing CNC machinery in a precision manufacturing or machine shop environment.
Demonstrated experience independently diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical, electrical, and CNC control system issues.
Experience supporting high-precision, multi-axis CNC machining equipment strongly preferred.
Technical Qualifications
Advanced knowledge of CNC machine tools, mechanical systems, industrial electrical systems, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
Strong experience troubleshooting CNC controls such as Fanuc, Haas, Okuma, Siemens, or similar systems.
Proficiency diagnosing PLC-controlled equipment, ladder logic, servo drives, spindle motors, VFDs, and industrial automation systems.
Experience troubleshooting industrial electrical systems, including 480V three-phase power and associated control circuits.
Proficiency using multimeters, electrical diagnostic equipment, precision measuring instruments, and machine diagnostic software.
Ability to interpret complex electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and technical service manuals.
Experience with machine alignment, calibration, precision leveling, and mechanical adjustments.
Knowledge of preventative and predictive maintenance methodologies, root cause analysis, and equipment reliability practices.
Familiarity with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and maintenance performance reporting preferred.
Experience with CNC machinery manufacturers such as DMG Mori, Mazak, Haas, Nakamura, Doosan, or similar equipment preferred.
Professional Skills
Exceptional analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving capabilities.
Ability to independently prioritize and resolve critical equipment failures in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple maintenance priorities.
Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with production, engineering, quality, and leadership teams.
Demonstrated initiative, technical ownership, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Ability to mentor junior maintenance personnel and share technical knowledge across teams.
Physical Requirements
Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, and climb throughout the workday.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds, with assistance or mechanical lifting equipment when appropriate.
Ability to work around industrial machinery, electrical equipment, lubricants, coolants, and manufacturing operations.
Ability to perform hands-on maintenance and troubleshooting in confined or physically demanding equipment areas.
Ability to follow all required safety procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
7+ years of progressive CNC maintenance or industrial equipment reliability experience.
Experience supporting aerospace, defense, or other high-precision manufacturing operations.
Advanced troubleshooting experience with multi-axis CNC machining centers, mill-turn equipment, and automated manufacturing systems.
Experience with PLC di

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No