Tool Mold Maker

Tool Room Machinist / Tool Maker

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Tool Room Machinist / Maker to support our injection molding operations through the design, fabrication, modification, maintenance, and repair of injection molds, tooling, fixtures, and custom manufacturing components.

This is a highly hands-on technical position requiring extensive experience with precision machining, mold making, mold repair, CNC machining, and general tool room operations.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in injection mold construction and maintenance, along with the ability to troubleshoot tooling problems, make precision modifications, design and fabricate custom components, and develop practical solutions to manufacturing challenges.

This individual will work closely with the Plastics Process Engineer, production, maintenance, and manufacturing teams to ensure molds, tooling, and related equipment are maintained, repaired, and performing reliably.

This is not simply a machine operator position. We are looking for a skilled craftsman and problem solver who understands how molds and tooling function and can take a problem from concept through design, machining, fitting, and completion.

Key Responsibilities

Mold Design, Construction & Repair

• Design, build, modify, and repair injection molds and related tooling.
• Perform mold maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and modifications.
• Design and manufacture mold inserts, cores, cavities, slides, lifters, and other mold components.
• Troubleshoot mold mechanical problems, wear, damage, and performance issues.
• Perform mold disassembly, inspection, fitting, assembly, and reassembly.
• Support mold preventative maintenance programs and maintain mold repair records.
• Modify and improve existing molds to improve performance, reliability, and part quality.
• Support new mold development from concept through completion.
• Work with the Plastics Process Engineer to identify and resolve mold-related processing issues.
• Troubleshoot and repair hot runner systems and associated mold components as qualified.

Machining & Tool Room Operations

• Operate and program CNC mills, CNC lathes, manual mills, manual lathes, EDMs, surface grinders, and other precision machining equipment.
• Perform precision milling, turning, grinding, drilling, tapping, and fitting operations.
• Perform EDM machining and related mold-making operations.
• Manufacture replacement components, precision parts, inserts, and tooling.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, mold drawings, and technical specifications.
• Maintain tight machining tolerances and ensure dimensional accuracy.
• Select appropriate materials, cutting tools, machining processes, and workholding methods.
• Maintain and organize tool room equipment, tooling, and work areas.
• Perform basic equipment maintenance and ensure safe operation of machinery.

Tooling Design & Fabrication

• Design and fabricate custom fixtures, jigs, brackets, manufacturing components, and tooling.
• Design, build, and modify End-of-Arm Tooling (EOAT) for automation and robotic applications.
• Develop practical solutions for production, assembly, and manufacturing challenges.
• Use CAD software, preferably SolidWorks, to design and modify tooling and components.
• Use CAM software to generate machining programs where applicable.
• Reverse engineer existing tooling and components when drawings are unavailable.
• Work with engineering and production personnel to develop tooling improvements.

Production & Manufacturing Support

• Provide hands-on technical support for injection molding operations.
• Respond to mold and tooling-related production issues.
• Work with molding and engineering personnel to identify and correct tooling problems.
• Support mold changes, mold installations, and mold qualification activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve mold reliability, maintainability, and production performance.
• Prioritize tooling repairs and projects based on production requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of mold repairs, modifications, and preventative maintenance.

What We're Looking For

Required Experience

• 7–10 years of hands-on tool room, mold making, precision machining, or related manufacturing experience.
• Extensive experience with injection mold maintenance, repair, modification, and construction.
• Strong hands-on machining experience with CNC mills, lathes, manual machining equipment, and grinders.
• Experience with EDM machining and precision mold-making operations.
• Ability to design, fabricate, modify, and repair precision tooling and mechanical components.
• Strong understanding of injection mold construction and operation.
• Experience with mold components, including cores, cavities, inserts, slides, lifters, cooling systems, and ejector systems.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, mold drawings, and part specifications.
• Experience using CAD/CAM software, preferably SolidWorks.
• Ability to machine components to tight tolerances and perform precision fitting and assembly.
• Experience designing and building custom fixtures, tooling, and EOAT.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tooling projects.

Preferred Experience

• Experience designing injection molds from concept through completion.
• Experience with complex, multi-cavity, or technically demanding injection molds.
• Experience with hot runner systems and mold temperature control systems.
• CNC programming experience.
• Experience with robotic automation and custom EOAT.
• Experience with mold flow considerations and how tooling design affects molding performance.
• Experience with a variety of mold steels, aluminum, and other tool-making materials.
• Experience working in an in-house tool room supporting injection molding operations.

Education

• Technical degree, trade school certification, or apprenticeship in Tool & Die Making, Precision Machining, Mold Making, or a related discipline preferred.
• Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered.
• Strong machining and mold-making experience is more important than a four-year college degree.

The Right Person Will Be

• A highly skilled, hands-on machinist and problem solver.
• An experienced mold maker who understands injection mold construction and operation.
• Comfortable working with CNC and manual machining equipment.
• Capable of taking a tooling problem from concept through design, fabrication, machining, and completion.
• Detail-oriented and committed to precision workmanship.
• Resourceful and able to develop practical solutions to manufacturing problems.
• Comfortable working directly with production and engineering personnel.
• Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
• Organized and able to prioritize urgent repairs alongside planned tooling projects.
• Someone who takes pride in building, repairing, and improving tools and equipment.

Why This Role Is Different

We are looking for more than a machinist who simply runs CNC equipment.

We need an experienced Tool Room Machinist / Maker who understands injection molds, tooling, and manufacturing equipment and can independently diagnose problems, design solutions, and make the necessary repairs or modifications.

This person will play an important role in keeping our molds, tooling, and manufacturing operations running efficiently.

The ideal candidate enjoys working with their hands, solving difficult mechanical problems, building custom solutions, and producing high-quality precision components.