Lead Tool & Die Machinist

Position Responsibilities

• Lead daily activities of the Tool & Die team and coordinate priorities with production and maintenance leadership.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain stamping dies, fixtures, jigs, molds, and precision tooling.
• Operate and maintain:
• Manual lathes
• Manual milling machines
• CNC mills and lathes
• Wire EDM
• Surface grinders
• Drill presses
• Horizontal/Vertical Band saws
• Precision measuring equipment
• Fabricate replacement parts and components from engineering drawings, sketches, or worn samples.
• Perform precision fitting, alignment, and assembly of tooling components.
• Conduct root cause analysis on recurring tooling failures and implement corrective actions.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for tooling and manufacturing equipment.
• Aid engineering with new product development, tooling modifications, and process improvements.
• Train, mentor, and develop junior Tool & Die Technicians and machinists.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, and tooling documentation.
• Recommend improvements to increase reliability, reduce downtime, and improve product quality.
• Repair, troubleshoot, modify, and rebuild stamping dies, molds, fixtures, jigs, and precision tooling to maintain safe and reliable production operations.
• Provide urgent production support by responding to tooling failures, diagnosing root causes, and implementing permanent corrective actions to improve equipment uptime and reliability.
• Reverse engineer worn or unavailable components from samples, drawings, or existing parts to restore equipment functionality and maintain operational continuity.
• Partner with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to prioritize tooling repairs and improvements that maximize equipment availability, throughput, and overall plant performance.

Basic Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Journeyman Tool & Die Maker certification or equivalent experience preferred.
• Minimum of 10+ years of Tool & Die or precision machining experience.
• Minimum of 2+ years in a leadership or lead technician role preferred.
• Strong experience operating:
• Manual lathes
• Manual milling machines
• CNC machining centers
• Surface grinders
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, and GD&T.
• Proficiency with precision measuring tools, including:
• Micrometers
• Calipers
• Height gauges
• Dial indicators
• Bore gauges
• Experience troubleshooting hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in an industrial manufacturing environment.

Desired Qualities

• Experience with lean manufacturing principles.
• Welding and fabrication experience (MIG, TIG, or Stick).
• CNC programming and setup experience.
• Experience using CMMS systems such as SAP.
• Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance methodologies.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• High attention to detail and craftsmanship.
• High ownership and accountability.
• Ability to prioritize multiple projects and respond to changing production needs.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to learn and grow into more advanced maintenance roles.