The Head of CNC Department is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all CNC machining operations with a specific emphasis on CNC lathe and Swiss-type turning technologies. The role involves leading a team of programmers and operators, improving machining strategies, ensuring efficient production workflows, and supporting the transition of development parts into mass production.
1. Department Leadership & Oversight
Lead and supervise all CNC operations including planning, programming, setup, and machining.
Manage a team of CNC programmers, application engineers, and machine operators.
Ensure proper training, workload balancing, and performance evaluation of team members.
2. CNC Lathe and Swiss Machines
Take ownership of the performance and utilization of all CNC lathe and Swiss-type turning machines.
Develop and implement optimized cutting strategies for precision small-part machining, including those used in orthopedic and dental implant manufacturing.
Set tool libraries, cycle times, and offsets tailored to high-precision parts.
3. Process Development & Optimization
Review product drawings and tolerances to determine the best machining approach.
Develop and validate manufacturing process sheets (operation sheets) for all turned parts.
Reduce cycle times and improve surface finishes through optimized toolpaths, feeds, and speeds.
4. Quality and Compliance
Ensure dimensional accuracy and surface quality of machined components meet drawing and regulatory requirements.
Implement and maintain process control systems (SPC) to minimize variation.
Support QA in root cause analysis of machining-related defects.
5. Documentation & Standardization
Develop, maintain, and update standard operating procedures (SOPs), machine setup sheets, and maintenance logs.
Ensure all CNC programs are documented and backed up.
Maintain proper traceability of revisions and updates to CNC programs and tooling.
6. Technology & Tooling
Evaluate and recommend new tools, holders, and fixtures specific to lathe and Swiss turning applications.
Stay updated on advancements in multi-axis turning and medical micromachining best practices.
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with product development, production planning, and QA/RA teams to ensure manufacturability and regulatory compliance.
Support validation teams in IQ/OQ/PQ protocols for new equipment and critical components.
8. Maintenance & Machine Readiness
Coordinate with maintenance for preventive and breakdown maintenance of CNC lathe and Swiss machines.
Ensure machine readiness, cleanliness, and upkeep in alignment with 5S and GMP standards.
1. Education & QualificationsBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.Postgraduate technical training or certifications in CNC programming or precision machining is an added advantage.2. ExperienceMinimum 5-8 years of experience in CNC machining, including:CNC lathe and Swiss-type turning (e.g., Star, Citizen, Tsugami, Tornos) is a plus.At least 3 years in a supervisory or department head role.Experience with medical or high-precision components (e.g., orthopedic or dental implants) is strongly preferred.Demonstrated success in leading CNC teams, developing turning strategies, and optimizing machining processes.3. Technical SkillsStrong command of:CNC programming (G-code/M-code)CAM software (e.g., FeatureCAM, Esprit, Mastercam, or SolidCAM)CNC controllers (Fanuc, Siemens, Mitsubishi)Knowledge of:Multi-axis turning and micromachiningTooling selection, tool life monitoring, and coolant strategiesPrecision tolerances, GD&T, and surface finish standardsAbility to develop and interpret operation sheets, technical drawings, and manufacturing documentation.4. Leadership & Management SkillsProven leadership in managing multi-disciplinary CNC teams.Strong communication and training skills for mentoring CNC operators and junior engineers.Capacity to coordinate with QA, Planning, R&D, and Maintenance teams.Experience in performance monitoring, KPI tracking, and continuous improvement (e.g., Lean or Six Sigma methodologies).5. Regulatory & Quality UnderstandingExperience in supporting process validations (IQ, OQ, PQ) is an asset.6. Language & Computer SkillsProficiency in English (technical reading and writing) is a plus.Working knowledge of ERP/MES systems and MS Office tools (especially Excel).