Tooling Technician

Description

The Tooling Technician is a hands-on role responsible for keeping injection molds running safely, efficiently, and producing quality parts. This position spends the majority of time on the production floor working directly with molds, presses, and process technicians to troubleshoot issues, perform repairs, and complete preventive maintenance.

• Troubleshoot mold-related production issues directly in the press (flash, short shots, sticking parts, cosmetic defects).
• Tear down molds for repair and preventative maintenance.
• Clean, polish, lubricate, and replace mold components (pins, bushings, lifters, slides, ejectors).
• Work on hot runner systems, including diagnosing heaters, thermocouples, leaks, and wiring issues.
• Inspect cooling lines, vents, and parting lines to ensure proper mold performance.
• Perform emergency mold repairs to get production back up and running quickly.
• Support new mold trials, startups, and process changes.
• Identify recurring tooling issues and suggest practical fixes or improvements.
• Keep tooling PMs and repair documentation up to date.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized work area.
• Weld, machine, grind, burn, polish, and handwork damaged area.
• Use CADD and manual measurements to reverse engineer damaged components.

APC Production Support

Provide direct support for APC production, ensuring tooling readiness and minimal downtime. Support all other production areas as needed to maintain overall plant performance and efficiency. Participate in the launch and ramp-up of the APC program, including tooling readiness, trials, and process stabilization.

Requirements

• 10+ years of hands-on tooling experience in a plastic injection molding facility. Strong working knowledge of injection molds and mold function.
• Experience working directly on molds in the press in a production environment.
• Comfortable troubleshooting under pressure and making quick, sound decisions.
• Experience with hot runner systems (DME, Husky, Mold-Masters, Synventive, or similar).
• Solid mechanical skills and comfort using hand tools, measuring tools, and shop equipment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a production team.
• 5+ years CNC mill programing and set-up.
• 5+ years G code and CADD/CAM experience.
• Must be able to run all manual toolroom equipment (mill, lathe, surface grinder).
• EDM sinker and wire experience.
• Experience working on mold with an overhead crane.

Nice to Have

• Tool & Die, Mold Making, or technical trade certification.
• Precision micro TIG welding, polishing A1 surfaces.
• Experience in high-volume or tight-tolerance molding environments (automotive, medical, consumer goods).
• Fusion 360 and/or SolidWorks experience.
• IQMS experience.
• HAA CNC mill experience.

Physical & Shop Environment

• Regularly lifting, pushing, or pulling up to 50 lbs.
• Use of PPE required (safety glasses, high visibility clothing, safety toed boots).
• Standing, bending, kneeling, climbing, and working in tight spaces.
• Working around hot molds, presses, cranes, and industrial equipment.
• Willingness to work overtime or weekends when production requires.
• Hands-on role 60-80% of the time, with mixture of desk and computer duties.