CNC Machine Tool Instrumentation Lead

Location: Hyderabad, India

Employment Type: Full-time

Travel: Up to 10% (both Domestic & International) based on company travel policy

Timing / Shift: India / Europe Shift / 6-day (Mon-Sat) Work Week / (9.30 am – 6.30pm IST) Winter DLS Time / (10.00 am – 7.30 pm IST) Summer, with Lunch Break

Website: WWW.APOLLONIANTECH.COM

Email: HR@APOLLONIANTECH.COM

We are seeking a highly experienced CNC Machine Tool Instrumentation Lead  with deep expertise in the instrumentation, integration, and troubleshooting of CNC machine tools and their associated automation systems. This role demands extensive knowledge of CNC control systems, sensors, measurement systems, servo drives, feedback devices, spindle monitoring, industrial communication protocols, and machine tool diagnostics.

The successful candidate will lead a team of 3–4 instrumentation and controls specialists, providing technical direction, mentoring, and hands-on guidance. This role ensures high machine uptime, precision machining performance, reliable feedback loops, and robust instrumentation architecture across all machining assets.

Core Technical Responsibilities

1. Technical Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and mentor a team of 3–4 instrumentation specialists, overseeing workload planning, troubleshooting activities, and skill development.
• Review technical tasks, validate instrumentation designs, and ensure work meets quality, safety, and performance standards.
• Build team capability in advanced diagnostics, CNC control tuning, sensor integration, and machine tool instrumentation best practices.
• Conduct structured performance reviews and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

2. CNC Machine Tool Instrumentation & Integration

• Design, install, calibrate, and maintain machine tool instrumentation including:
• – linear and rotary encoders
• – laser measurement systems
• – spindle load monitors
• – vibration and thermal sensors
• – tool-breakage detection systems
• – coolant monitoring and flow sensors
• – probing systems (touch probes, laser tool setters)
• Integrate instrumentation with CNC controls (Fanuc, Siemens, Heidenhain, Mitsubishi) to optimize machining accuracy, reliability, and process feedback.
• Ensure proper scaling, signal conditioning, and noise reduction in instrumentation circuits.

3. CNC Control System Diagnostics & Optimization

• Diagnose and resolve issues in CNC control architecture, including servo tuning, axis calibration, backlash compensation, kinematic alignment, and thermal drift correction.
• Conduct advanced troubleshooting of PLC logic, I/O mapping, ladder diagrams, and communication faults.
• Understanding of optimizing motion control parameters to improve surface finish, positioning accuracy, and machine stability.

4. Machine Tool Accuracy Validation & Calibration

• Understanding of high-precision calibration of large and small CNC machines using laser interferometers, ballbar systems, electronic levels, and straightness/flatness measurement tools.
• Understanding of machine geometry: squareness, pitch error, roll, yaw, parallelism, and rotary axis accuracy.

5. Process Monitoring & Data Acquisition Systems

• Implement advanced machine monitoring systems (MTConnect, OPC UA, MQTT, custom DAQ platforms).
• Deploy sensors and data loggers to monitor spindle behavior, cutting forces, thermal performance, vibration profiles, and tool wear signatures.
• Analyze sensor data to drive predictive maintenance, improve machining stability, and reduce downtime.

6. Vendor & Supplier Management

• Evaluate suppliers of sensors, measurement systems, control hardware, servo motors, and instrumentation components for capability and reliability.
• Manage vendor relationships for instrumentation upgrades, and machine tool enhancements.
• Conduct fact-based negotiations based on cost models, component specifications, and technical performance metrics7

7. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Ensure all instrumentation work aligns with ISO, CE, machine safety standards, and OEM compliance requirements.
• Manage root-cause analyses for machine inaccuracies, sensor failures, and control-system malfunctions.
• Develop preventive maintenance schedules for CNC instrumentation and drive systems.

8. Documentation & Technical Reporting

• Prepare detailed documentation including wiring diagrams, calibration reports, instrumentation layouts, troubleshooting sheets, and diagnostic logs.
• Maintain updated schematics, control logic documentation, and machine capability reports.
• Provide clear communication in strong professional English to internal teams, vendors, and leadership.

Required Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of experience in CNC machine tool instrumentation, or controls engineering.
• Proven leadership experience managing a small team of technical specialists.
• Deep technical knowledge of CNC controls, servo systems, sensors, metrology tools, and machine tool calibration techniques.
• Proficiency in interpreting electrical schematics, PLC logic, ladder diagrams, and instrumentation drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting capability across mechanical, electrical, control, and software domains.
• Experience with machine monitoring systems and industrial communication standards.
• Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.