NY Tool and Die Maker

Summary of Position

Reporting to the Tooling Manager, the Tool and Die Maker has a Journeymen license or has completed a formal apprenticeship program. The incumbent builds, repairs, and maintains dies, fixtures, and all other tooling in conformance to customer and/or company specifications per control plans. The role analyzes specifications, lays out metal stock, sets up and operates machine tools, and fits and assembles parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

• Conducts test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications; makes adjustments as necessary.
• Cuts, shapes, and trims blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules and hand tools.
• Files, grinds, shims, and adjusts different parts to properly fit them together.
• Fits and assembles parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
• Inspects finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
• Lifts, positions, and secures machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
• Measures, marks, and scribes metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, and rulers.
• Selects metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness and heat tolerance.
• Sets up and operates conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
• Sets up and operates drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
• Smooths and polishes flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
• Studies blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
• Verifies dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators.
• Visualizes and computes dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
• Casts plastic tools or parts, or tungsten-carbide cutting tips, using pre-made molds.
• Designs jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
• Develops and designs new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
• Sets pyrometer controls of heat‑treating furnaces, and feeds or places parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.

• Ability to read tool and die designs and prints.
• Basic shop math and trigonometry.
• Ability to use precise measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, gauge blocks, dial indicators, etc.
• Ability to operate all standard tool room equipment such as milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, lathes, etc.; CNC machine set up a plus.
• Must have strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• General knowledge of tool and die design including various tool steels / carbides and their application is a plus.
• Able to work independently and be self‑motivated.
• Must be able to work without supervision and lead small teams as required.
• Ability to work with appropriate outside vendors.
• Ability to train and develop apprentices.
• Ability to communicate well with others.

• Ability to manually operate tool room machinery.
• Ability to access tooling both in and out of machines to troubleshoot problems.
• Support and comply with all procedures and work instructions.
• Must observe all safety regulations to ensure employees own safety as well as the safety of others. Support a safe and healthy work environment that is free of recognized hazards for all employees, contractors and visitors.
• Cooperate with all local, state and federal agencies, such as OSHA or the EPA, in the event of an inspection.
• Know and follow all applicable SH&E policies and procedures.

• High School Diploma or equivalent…