Freelance Cnc Router Programmer Jobs in Wheeling, IL

Join our advanced manufacturing team specializing in high-performance composite and thermoset materials used in the automotive, aviation, and aerospace industries. Our manufacturing operations rely on a wide range of CNC equipment, and we are looking for an experienced maintenance mechanic who can troubleshoot, repair, and keep these machines running reliably.

We are seeking an experienced CNC Machine Maintenance Mechanic with strong hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing Okuma, Haas, and Fanuc ROBODRILL equipment.

This role is focused on diagnosing machine failures, completing repairs, and returning CNC equipment to production as quickly and safely as possible. The ideal candidate is comfortable working with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, control, and software-related CNC machine issues.

Our equipment includes:

• Okuma CNC mills and turning centers
• Haas CNC machines
• Fanuc ROBODRILL machining centers
• Tsugami CNC machines
• Onsrud CNC routers
• Northwood CNC routers
• Tongtai CNC machines

Experience with Okuma OSP controls, Haas controls, and Fanuc controls is especially valuable.

• Troubleshoot CNC machine breakdowns and determine the root cause of equipment failures.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, control, and software-related machine problems.
• Repair CNC mills, turning centers, machining centers, and routers.
• Troubleshoot CNC controls, drives, motors, servos, sensors, switches, relays, wiring, and other machine components.
• Troubleshoot machine alarms and control-related faults.
• Repair or replace defective or worn machine components.
• Disassemble equipment as necessary to inspect components and identify damage or wear.
• Align, adjust, repair, replace, and test machine components.
• Diagnose and repair spindle, ball screw, bearing, motor, pump, valve, and related equipment issues.
• Troubleshoot hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Perform hardware and software-related troubleshooting on CNC equipment.
• Complete emergency repairs to minimize equipment downtime.
• Restore equipment to proper operating condition following breakdowns.
• Verify repaired equipment is operating accurately and safely before returning it to production.

• Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, machine manuals, and technical documentation.
• Troubleshoot electrical panels, control circuits, wiring, sensors, switches, drives, and motors.
• Use meters, diagnostic equipment, machine controls, and other tools to identify equipment failures.
• Diagnose mechanical wear, alignment problems, vibration, movement issues, and other machine performance concerns.
• Perform mechanical adjustments and alignments as needed following repairs.
• Determine the most effective repair method while maintaining machine safety, accuracy, and reliability.

• Assist with installation, relocation, setup, and startup of CNC machines and related manufacturing equipment.
• Work with Engineering and Production to troubleshoot difficult equipment problems.
• Identify recurring machine failures and recommend permanent corrective repairs.
• Provide hands-on recommendations to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Assist less-experienced maintenance technicians with CNC troubleshooting and repair techniques.

• 3+ years of hands-on CNC machine maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair experience.
• Strong experience diagnosing CNC machine breakdowns.
• Experience repairing mechanical and electrical CNC machine systems.
• Ability to troubleshoot CNC controls, motors, drives, servos, sensors, wiring, switches, and related components.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and technical machine documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and diagnostic skills.
• Ability to independently identify equipment failures and complete repairs.
• Experience using electrical and mechanical diagnostic tools.
• Ability to safely disassemble, repair, adjust, and reassemble CNC machine components.
• High school diploma, military technical training, vocational training, or equivalent hands-on experience.

Hands-on maintenance and repair experience with any of the following is strongly preferred:

• Okuma CNC mills and turning centers / OSP controls
• Haas CNC machines / Haas controls
• Fanuc ROBODRILL machining centers / Fanuc controls
• Tsugami CNC machines
• Onsrud CNC routers
• Northwood CNC routers
• Tongtai CNC machines

• Experience in aerospace, aviation, automotive, or precision manufacturing.
• Experience maintaining CNC equipment in a production manufacturing environment.
• Experience repairing spindles, drives, servos, motors, ball screws, bearings, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and electrical controls.
• Experience troubleshooting both CNC machining centers and CNC routers.

• $35–$55 per hour, based on experience.
• Health, dental, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Professional development and technical training opportunities.
• Opportunity to work with a diverse range of CNC equipment supporting advanced aerospace and manufacturing applications.

This is a hands-on manufacturing-floor position requiring direct work on CNC machines and industrial equipment.

The position requires standing for extended periods, lifting up to 50 pounds, working around manufacturing equipment, and working in an environment with industrial noise and composite dust. Appropriate PPE is provided.

We are looking for someone who enjoys troubleshooting difficult machine problems, repairing CNC equipment, and getting machines back into production quickly and correctly.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

You should be proficient in:

• Preventive Maintenance & Inspection
• Maintenance and Repair Skills
• Spindle Maintenance & Repair
• Equipment Repair & Maintenance

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• CNC Mill (3-4 axis VMC) (Fanuc, Haas, Okuma)
• CNC Router
• CNC Mill (5+ axis VMC) (Fanuc, Haas, Okuma)
• CNC Lathe (5+ axis) (Okuma)