CNC Technical Maintenance Specialist

Location: Redmond WA

Compensation: $29 - $33 hourly DOE / Full Benefits

Full Time / On-site

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship

Title: CNC Technical Maintenance Specialist

Quala is seeking a CNC Technical Maintenance Specialist to join our team that is supporting the prototyping of next generation consumer electronic devices. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art prototyping lab that is based in Redmond, WA.

As a CNC Technical Maintenance Specialist, you will provide dedicated preventive and corrective maintenance for our CNC machine shop. This role ensures maximum machine uptime, precision, and reliability across a fleet of multi-axis CNC machining centers, high-speed mills, and EDM equipment supporting prototype development for hardware prototyping programs.

This is a hands-on technical role focused exclusively on CNC machine health — distinct from general facility maintenance. The specialist will own the preventive maintenance program, perform calibrations, troubleshoot mechanical and electrical issues, and keep machines running at peak performance.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Preventive Maintenance & Calibration

• Develop and execute preventive maintenance schedules for all CNC equipment, including 5-axis machining centers, high-speed mills, wire/sinker EDM, and supporting equipment
• Perform routine machine calibrations, geometry checks, and accuracy verification (ballbar, laser interferometer, touch probe)
• Monitor and maintain spindle health, way systems, ball screws, and axis drives
• Track and manage consumables (coolant, filters, lubricants, way oil) and maintain inventory levels

Troubleshooting & Repair

• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical issues on CNC equipment
• Troubleshoot CNC control systems including alarms, parameter settings, and servo issues
• Coordinate with OEM service representatives for warranty work, major repairs, and parts procurement
• Perform spindle runout checks, bearing replacements, and alignment corrections

Proactive Machine Health

• Implement proactive wear monitoring — tracking spindle hours, axis backlash, thermal drift, and vibration trends
• Maintain detailed maintenance logs and machine history records
• Identify and recommend machine upgrades or modifications to improve reliability and performance
• Support future machine installations, rigging, leveling, and commissioning of new equipment

Collaboration

• Work closely with CNC operators to understand machine performance issues and prioritize maintenance activities
• Coordinate with general facility maintenance to avoid overlap and ensure clear role boundaries
• Support shop safety compliance, including machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, and coolant management

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of hands-on CNC machine maintenance experience in a production or prototype machining environment
• Demonstrated experience with multi-axis (4- and 5-axis) CNC machining center maintenance and calibration
• Strong mechanical aptitude — ability to diagnose and repair ball screws, linear guides, way systems, spindles, ATC (automatic tool changer) mechanisms, and hydraulic/pneumatic systems
• Working knowledge of CNC control systems — ability to navigate parameters, interpret alarms, and perform basic control-level diagnostics
• Experience with machine calibration tools (ballbar, dial indicators, laser alignment, touch probes)
• Proficiency reading mechanical and electrical schematics
• Knowledge of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and shop safety practices
• Strong documentation skills — ability to maintain maintenance logs and create PM schedules
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and kneel for extended periods
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly
• Ability to work in a shop environment with typical noise levels

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Journeyman or equivalent certification in industrial maintenance, millwright, or mechatronics
• Experience commissioning and installing new CNC equipment
• Knowledge of HSK tooling systems and zero-point workholding (e.g., Schunk VERO-S)