This role plans, lays out, constructs, maintains, alters, and repairs complex multi-station progressive and single-purpose blanking, piercing, and forming dies, as well as a variety of drills, holding fixtures, and clamping fixtures for a high-volume stamping facility that produces fasteners for the steel industry. You will work from drawings, sketches, samples, and instructions to perform intricate machining and bench operations, troubleshoot and repair dies, and support production with high-quality, precise tooling solutions.

• Plan, lay out, construct, maintain, alter, and repair complex multi-station progressive dies and single-purpose blanking, piercing, and forming dies.
• Design dies and create or direct the creation of detailed drawings to support tooling fabrication and maintenance.
• Work from blueprints, drawings, sketches, samples, and written or verbal instructions to complete tooling projects accurately.
• Visualize the finished job, perform necessary mathematical calculations, and select appropriate allowances for fitting and finishing.
• Plan, set up, and perform intricate machining operations on tool room equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, and other machining equipment, while maintaining very close tolerances.
• Perform skilled bench and hand operations to fit, assemble, adjust, and finish dies and tooling components.
• Determine required repairs on dies returned to the tool room and develop effective repair plans.
• Perform emergency repairs to dies in the press department to minimize production downtime.
• Carry out a variety of die grinding, shimming, and replacement of progressive die components to restore or improve performance.
• Make repair parts or machined items for special orders and custom applications as needed.
• Try out dies in a tool room press, evaluate performance, and suggest changes to improve operation or reduce maintenance time.
• Observe die operation in production, diagnose issues, and correct trouble to ensure safe and efficient performance.
• Prepare complex print programs using advanced mathematics and, when applicable, computer programming languages.
• Utilize and interpret precision measuring tools such as calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, go/no-go gauges, and other gauges to verify dimensions and tolerances.
• Use CNC equipment when applicable and leverage CNC experience to enhance tooling accuracy and efficiency.
• Instruct and assist other employees, sharing technical knowledge and helping them overcome machining or tooling difficulties.
• Aid in setting up plant equipment as needed to support production and maintenance activities.
• Report faulty equipment, defective material, and unusual conditions to supervision in a timely manner.
• Observe all prescribed safety rules and regulations and maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.
• Support changeovers, machine operating, and general machine operation activities related to braiding, tooling, and production equipment when needed.

• Journeyman’s card in tool and die or equivalent years of experience in the trade is required.
• Ideally 3+ years of relevant tool and die making experience in a manufacturing or stamping environment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to make informed, timely decisions in a production setting.
• Proficiency in planning, layout, and construction of progressive and single-purpose dies.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, detailed drawings, and technical sketches.
• Skilled in machining operations using mills, lathes, grinders, and other tool room equipment.
• Ability to perform intricate setups and adjustments to maintain very close tolerances.
• Competence in bench work, hand fitting, and finishing of dies and tooling components.
• Experience using precision measuring instruments, including calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, go/no-go gauges, and other gauges.
• Ability to prepare complex print programs using higher-level mathematics and, when applicable, computer programming languages.
• Good organizational skills with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment and meet operational deadlines.
• Self-motivated, safety-conscious, and quality-focused, with the ability to work efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Capability to perform heavy lifting up to approximately 35 pounds as part of daily duties.
• Strong communication skills to instruct and assist other employees and collaborate with cross-functional teams.