Freelance Remote Cnc Programming Jobs in Chicago, IL

Location: Lombard, Illinois (Home-Based Considered for the Right Candidate)

Travel: Approximately 3050% throughout the United States

Some engineers enjoy replacing parts.

Others enjoy understanding why the machine stopped working in the first place.

If you're the engineer customers call when the problem becomes too complex, you may be exactly who we're looking for.

At pro-beam USA, you'll work on highly customized electron beam welding and advanced manufacturing systems used in some of the world's most demanding industries. This isn't routine field service on standardized equipment. Every installation, commissioning, and service project presents unique technical challenges requiring systematic troubleshooting, collaboration, and curiosity.

Over time, you'll become one of North America's technical experts in electron beam technology, working directly with engineering teams in both the United States and Germany to support customers pushing the limits of manufacturing technology.

For more than 50 years, pro-beam has been one of the world's leading specialists in electron beam technology.

Our systems support manufacturers in industries where precision, repeatability, and reliability are essentialincluding aerospace, defense, energy, automotive, medical technology, and advanced manufacturing.

Unlike many equipment manufacturers, pro-beam not only designs and builds highly customized electron beam systems but also operates its own production facilities, giving our engineers firsthand experience with the technology they support.

Our U.S. headquarters in Lombard, Illinois serves customers throughout North America while working closely with engineering, manufacturing, software, and project teams in Germany.

This is far more than a traditional Field Service position.

As a Senior Field Service Engineer, you'll support the installation, commissioning, optimization, and long-term performance of sophisticated electron beam welding systems across North America.

You'll serve as one of their primary technical resources for complex customer issues, partnering with customers and engineering teams to solve challenging electrical, mechanical, vacuum, high-voltage, motion control, and electromechanical problems.

Although electron beam technology is highly specialized, direct electron beam experience is not required.

Pro beam is looking for experienced field engineers with outstanding troubleshooting abilities who enjoy learning complex technologies.

• Lead or support installation, startup, commissioning, and acceptance testing of highly customized electron beam systems
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, mechanical, vacuum, motion control, high-voltage, and electromechanical issues both remotely and on-site
• Perform systematic root-cause troubleshooting rather than symptom-based repairs
• Serve as a technical escalation point for challenging customer issues
• Deliver technical training for customer maintenance and engineering teams
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams in Germany on complex technical investigations
• Support continuous improvement through technical documentation and knowledge sharing
• Travel throughout North America supporting customer installations and production systems
• Build trusted relationships with customers while representing pro-beam's technical excellence

This role is ideal for engineers who naturally ask:

"Why is this machine behaving this way?"

rather than simply replacing components until the problem disappears.

You'll likely enjoy this role if you:

• Enjoy solving difficult technical problems
• Think systematically when troubleshooting complex equipment
• Like working independently while collaborating with engineering teams
• Enjoy commissioning new equipment and seeing projects through from startup to production
• Take pride in becoming the technical expert customers rely on
• Appreciate continuous learning and mastering new technologies

Successful candidates often come from Field Service, Installation, Startup, or Commissioning roles supporting industrial capital equipment such as:

• CNC machine tools
• Laser processing systems
• Electron beam systems
• Vacuum systems and vacuum furnaces
• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
• Heat treatment equipment
• Industrial furnaces
• Precision welding systems
• Metal processing equipment
• Industrial inspection equipment
• Other highly customized OEM capital equipment

Experience supporting German or European-built machinery is highly valued but certainly not required.

• 5+ years of experience in Field Service, Installation, Startup, Commissioning, or Technical Support of industrial capital equipment
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electrical, mechanical, electromechanical, and motion-control systems
• Experience reading electrical schematics and technical documentation
• Strong customer-facing communication skills
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities
• Willingness to travel approximately 3050% throughout North America

Experience with one or more of the following:

• Vacuum technology
• High-voltage equipment
• CNC machinery
• Machine tools
• Laser processing equipment
• Industrial furnaces
• Semiconductor equipment
• Siemens PLC diagnostics
• Servo drives and motion control
• Industrial networking
• German or multinational OEMs

This is not a repetitive service position.

Every machine is highly customized.

Every installation is different.

Every customer presents unique technical challenges.

Rather than supporting standardized production equipment, you'll work with systems combining vacuum technology, precision mechanics, high-voltage engineering, motion control, automation, and advanced manufacturing into one highly specialized platform.

You'll receive extensive training while working alongside experienced colleagues in both the U.S. and Germany.

As your expertise grows, you'll become one of only a small number of engineers in North America specializing in electron beam manufacturing technology.

• $4555/hour plus overtime
• 401(k) with company match
• Blue Cross Blue Shield medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Paid Time Off
• Ongoing technical training and professional development
• International collaboration with engineering teams in Germany
• Visa sponsorship may be considered on a case-by-case basis

At pro-beam, field service engineers are trusted technical partnersnot simply repair technicians.

You'll work with cutting-edge manufacturing technology, collaborate with world-class engineers, and help customers solve some of the most challenging manufacturing problems in the industry.

If you enjoy complex machinery, systematic troubleshooting, continuous learning, and making a visible impact, we'd love to hear from you.