Progressive Die Toolmaker — Metal Stamping

Location: Wood Dale, IL

Reports to: Tool Room Manager

Date: 10/12/22

A day in this role

It starts with a print on your bench in Wood Dale. You study the engineering drawings, plan your sequence, and head to the grinders, mills, lathes, and drills. By mid-morning, you’re building and repairing dies and fixtures for continuous-run punch presses, shaping close-tolerance parts, and offering smart design suggestions when a blueprint can be improved. A die arrives from production—there’s damage. You assess root cause, disassemble with hand and power tools, clean thoroughly, and implement a fix that reduces the chance of repeat failures.

After lunch, you set up multiple machines to sharpen tooling, fabricate prototypes, and perform precision measurements with micrometers, calipers, and gauges to ensure every specification is met. A crane and die lifter help you move heavy tooling safely; you follow lockout and PPE rules, keep your area clean, and document the work performed. When a line calls for help, you troubleshoot the die and related mechanical tooling, lubricate where needed, check oil, grease fittings, wipe spills, and clear scrap to keep production flowing.

Before the day ends, you update repair and quality records, recommend improvements, coach a teammate on a setup, review spare component inventory, and complete all paperwork accurately. You collaborate across the department, support others as needed, and take part in training to sharpen your craft. Other duties arise—and you handle them with care and urgency.

What you’ll handle

• Build, repair, and maintain tools, dies, and fixtures for continuous run punch presses and related metal fabrication equipment
• Interpret engineering drawings/blueprints; make design recommendations when appropriate
• Receive, inspect, disassemble, clean, and perform routine to complex die repairs; implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence
• Plan operations, set up, and run grinders, drills, mills, lathes, and hand tools for machining and sharpening
• Read die specifications; verify tolerances with micrometers, calipers, and fixed/adjustable gauges
• Safely move tooling with die lifters, lift trucks, and overhead/jib cranes using proper lifting techniques
• Conduct routine operator maintenance; troubleshoot production lines, dies, and mechanical tooling; lubricate and maintain housekeeping
• Follow safety standards and PPE requirements; maintain a neat, organized workspace; participate in safety initiatives
• Maintain and review repair, engineering change, and quality records; escalate or correct issues to sustain quality and output
• Train/instruct others in machining, die maintenance, and repair; recommend process and design improvements
• Manage inventory for spare die components and required supplies
• Complete all required documentation accurately and on time; adhere to company policies including safety and attendance
• Engage in continuous improvement of personal skills, departmental processes, and product quality; collaborate to resolve daily issues
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet company needs

Your background

• Proficient with assigned machinery and equipment, including CNC programs and control panels
• Fluent in reading Blueprints, Piece Prints, and GD&T
• Advanced math for feeds, speeds, distances, print conversion, and geometry
• Skilled with measurement tools: calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, and more
• Knowledge of machining characteristics across various raw materials
• Clear written and verbal communication; able to follow and provide instructions

Physical and work environment

• Sedentary position
• Ability to travel via public and private transportation
• 20/20 vision required, with or without correction
• Hands in use throughout 100% of the workday
• Standing or walking up to 25% of the workday
• Frequent twisting, bending, and leaning
• Office environment with occasional exposure to loud noise, dust, solvents, coolants, and oils

Proficiencies

• Troubleshooting Skills
• Metal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)
• Tool/Die/Mold Repair Skills
• Tool/Die/Mold Setup Experience
• Blueprint Reading

Classification

FLSA

Non-Exempt