Tool & Die Maintenance Technician Chattanooga 2 3rd shift

About the role

Perform scheduled and unscheduled tool and die maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and improvement activities supporting automotive Class A body panel stamping operations. Responsible for maintaining die dimensional capability, Class A surface quality, equipment uptime, and implementing permanent corrective actions to production issues.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and improve stamping dies, tools, fixtures, jigs, and related equipment to support safe, quality-focused production.
• Analyze and correct dimensional and Class A surface defects, including splits, wrinkles, dents, read-through, oil canning, surface imperfections, and fit-up concerns through die spotting, shimming, grinding, welding, polishing, and die process adjustments.
• Maintain and improve die capability to ensure compliance with customer appearance, dimensional, and quality requirements.
• Support tryout activities, engineering changes, continuous improvement initiatives, and root cause corrective actions to reduce downtime and improve part quality.
• Fabricate, repair, and maintain replacement die details, robotic welding fixtures, gauges, and tooling components.
• Perform preventive maintenance and inspection of dies, fixtures, and tooling systems.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, die layouts, GD&T, and quality data to diagnose and resolve tooling concerns.
• Support die changeovers, die setting, production launches, and other tooling-related activities as required.
• Promote safety, quality, cost reduction, and continuous improvement in all tool room activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• USDOL Tool & Die Journeyman Card or equivalent combination of education and a minimum of eight (8) years related experience.
• Minimum two (2) years of troubleshooting experience in an automotive stamping environment.
• Experience with medium to large tandem dies, transfer dies, and progressive dies.
• Experience troubleshooting Class A outer body panel dies and surface quality concerns preferred.
• Experience implementing engineering changes and launch support activities preferred.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of sheet metal forming, stamping die construction, die spotting, and press troubleshooting.
• Ability to diagnose and correct dimensional, fit, and surface quality concerns on Class A body panels.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, GD&T, and inspection reports.
• Ability to manufacture, repair, and install die details including punches, buttons, inserts, guide components, and related tooling.
• Must possess and maintain a basic set of precision measuring instruments and hand tools.
• Strong team-oriented mindset with effective communication and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to work any shift and overtime as required to support production, launches, engineering changes, and emergency repairs.

Physical and mental requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, reach, and work in manufacturing and tool room environments for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color recognition, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain concentration while troubleshooting complex tooling issues.
• Exposure to typical manufacturing conditions, including noise, heat, machinery, and varying environmental conditions.

Benefits

• 10 days paid vacation
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k retirement plan
• Company-issued AD&D insurance