Precision Tool & Die Machinist — Manual Milling and Surface Grinding

A day in the life

At our precision manufacturing facility in Elk Grove Village, you’ll begin by reviewing prints and setup sheets, planning your sequence, and dialing in your setups on manual mills and grinders. Through the day, you’ll switch between building and fitting tooling, checking critical features with micrometers and calipers, and stepping in to troubleshoot dies so production keeps moving. You’ll coordinate with engineers and shop leadership to refine processes, and you’ll close the loop with accurate documentation, safe practices, and a tidy 5S work area.

Role snapshot

• Set up and run manual milling and grinding equipment to produce and repair tooling and dies.
• Interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and setup documentation to plan work.
• Verify dimensions and finishes using precision metrology (micrometers, calipers, etc.).
• Diagnose, repair, and optimize tooling to maintain part quality and uptime.
• Partner with engineering and shop leads to improve tooling designs and methods.
• Uphold safety protocols, 5S organization, and complete required records.

Required qualifications

• 3+ years of hands-on experience as a Tool and Die Maker or equivalent.
• Independent setups and operation on milling and grinding machinery.
• Fluent in reading technical drawings and blueprints.
• Strong precision measurement and inspection abilities.
• High attention to detail with a practical, problem-solving approach.

Preferred qualifications

• Background in tool/die design; exposure to CAD/CAM is a plus.
• Experience with metal stamping, forming, and/or die maintenance/repair.
• Familiarity with ISO or AS9100D quality frameworks.
• CNC milling exposure alongside manual machining.
• Bilingual English/Spanish is beneficial.

Core proficiencies

• GD&T
• Equipment Troubleshooting
• Troubleshooting Skills
• Tape Measure Reading
• Manual Machining Skills
• Tool/Die/Mold Repair Skills
• Tool/Die/Mold Setup Experience
• Blueprint Reading

Equipment you’ll operate

• CNC Mill (3–4 axis VMC) (Fanuc, Bridgeport, Mazak, Haas)
• Manual Grinder (Okamoto, Harig, Chevalier, Kent)
• Manual Vertical Mill (Bridgeport, ProtoTRAK, Sharp, Clausing, Supermax)

Where you’ll work

A collaborative, growth-focused shop in Elk Grove Village that values craftsmanship, continuous improvement, and quality you can measure.