CNC Field Service Technician

Tom Trese Networking LLC; City of Albany (NY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Tom Trese Networking LLC seeks an experienced CNC Field Service Engineer to install, commission, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced CNC tools across rail, aerospace, and automotive sectors.

You will read schematics, troubleshoot PLCs, interpret G-code/M-code, and perform machine alignments. Expect 80-90% travel and mentorship of junior technicians while ensuring safety and quality on every site.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering or equivalent.
• 5+ years in CNC machine tools, field service, or industrial maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, repair, and maintain CNC machine tools and related equipment.
• Read electrical/hydraulic schematics to troubleshoot systems.
• Interpret CNC programs and review machine parameters and alarms.
• Travel 80-90% domestically and internationally, with possible weekends.
• Mentor Service Technicians and provide hands-on field support.

Skills

CNC troubleshooting

PLC troubleshooting

G-code/M-code interpretation

Reading schematics

Diagnostics software

Customer training

Mentoring teammates

Education

Associate or Bachelor’s in mechanical/electrical engineering

Tools

Siemens SINUMERIK 840D/828D

Siemens Step 7/TIA Portal

SINAMICS drive parameters

Job description

We are seeking an experienced CNC Field Service Engineer to install, commission, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced CNC machine tools and related equipment supporting the rail, aerospace, and automotive industries. This position serves as a senior technical resource for complex mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, CNC, and PLC-controlled systems. The Service Engineer will also perform machine alignments and calibrations, support customers, resolve escalated technical issues, and train and mentor Service Technicians. This role requires 80-90% domestic and international travel, including occasional weekends.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Install, commission, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain advanced CNC machine tools and related equipment.
• Perform startup, testing, debugging, and validation of newly manufactured or rebuilt machines at customer locations.
• Read electrical schematics to troubleshoot switches, PLCs, PCs, sensors, motors, drives, and measurement devices.
• Use laptops, diagnostic software, and technical documentation to troubleshoot PLC ladder logic and CNC-controlled systems.
• Navigate CNC and PLC operator interfaces to review machine parameters, diagnostic information, and alarm codes.
• Interpret CNC part programs, including G-code, M-code, canned cycles, tool offsets, and work coordinate systems.
• Determine whether machine issues are related to programming, controls, electrical systems, mechanical systems, or the machining process.
• Troubleshoot mechanical systems including linear and rotary motion assemblies, belts, gears, bearings, and lubrication systems.
• Read hydraulic schematics and troubleshoot hydraulic power systems.
• Perform machine alignments and calibrations using precision measurement tools.
• Align and calibrate multi-axis turn-mill assemblies, rotary and tilting axes, live tooling, sub-spindles, and tailstocks.
• Verify machine calibration, functionality, accuracy, and overall operating performance.
• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve machine reliability and performance.
• Serve as a technical resource for Service Technicians through mentoring, coaching, and hands-on field support.
• Train Service Technicians on machine operation, troubleshooting methods, and service best practices.
• Provide professional technical support and clearly communicate complex issues to customers.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, service, and customer teams to resolve technical concerns.
• Document service activities, findings, repairs, and recommended corrective actions.
• Follow all company and customer safety, quality, and operational requirements.
• Travel domestically and internationally to customer manufacturing facilities and machine shops.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of relevant CNC machine tool, field service, industrial maintenance, commissioning, or technical support experience.
• Advanced understanding of mechanical and electrical systems and how they interact within CNC machine tools.
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and technical schematics.
• Strong CNC and PLC troubleshooting experience.
• Experience programming, modifying, or troubleshooting PLC systems is preferred.
• Experience with Siemens SINUMERIK 840D or 828D controls is preferred.
• Experience with Siemens Step 7, TIA Portal, or SINAMICS drive parameters is preferred.
• Ability to interpret G-code, M-code, canned cycles, tool offsets, and work coordinate systems is preferred.
• Experience commissioning, aligning, calibrating, or validating CNC machine tools.
• Experience with five-axis or multi-axis turn-mill machines, rotary axes, live tooling, sub-spindles, or tailstocks is preferred.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and root-cause analysis skills.
• Ability to independently manage complex service assignments and multiple priorities.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and support technical personnel.
• Strong written, verbal, customer-service, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate technical information to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Proficiency with laptops, diagnostic software, technical documentation, and Microsoft Office.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally 80-90%, including occasional weekends.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, kneel, bend, climb, and safely work around industrial machinery.
• Ability to comply with company and customer safety requirements.