Tool & Die Technician

Department: Maintenance / Tool Room

Reports To: Tool Room Supervisor or Maintenance Manager

Company: Troy Design and Manufacturing Co.

Position Summary

The Tool & Die Technician supports production by building, maintaining, and repairing precision tooling and stamping dies. This position combines two primary functions — Tool Making and Die Repair — to ensure that tooling and dies are capable of producing high-quality parts efficiently and reliably.

A. Tool Making Responsibilities

• Fabricate new tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and replacement components using manual and CNC machining equipment.
• Manufacture precision parts to blueprint or CAD specifications, maintaining close tolerances and surface finishes.
• Set up and operate mills, lathes, surface grinders, EDM machines, and other precision shop equipment.
• Inspect and verify dimensions and fit using micrometers, calipers, height gauges, and other precision instruments.
• Work with engineering to design, modify, or improve tooling to support production and new product launches.
• Maintain and organize raw material, tooling components, and shop supplies for efficient workflow.
• Document all tooling builds and revisions, maintaining traceability and version control.

B. Die Repair Responsibilities

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair stamping dies (progressive, transfer, and line) during production and scheduled maintenance.
• Perform die teardown, cleaning, sharpening, and component replacement as needed.
• Identify root causes of die-related quality or dimensional issues and implement effective corrective actions.
• Conduct preventative maintenance and periodic die inspections per schedule to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Adjust and align die components such as punches, die buttons, guide pins, strippers, and pressure systems to ensure proper operation.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to optimize die performance and improve part quality.
• Maintain accurate die maintenance and repair records.

C. General Responsibilities

• Follow all safety and environmental procedures, maintaining a clean and organized work area.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling, quality, and process reliability.
• Assist with training or mentoring of less experienced technicians as required.

Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Technical certificate or completion of Tool & Die apprenticeship preferred.
• 4 year minimum of experience in tool making, die repair, in a manufacturing environment.
• Precision Machining preferred
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• Knowledge & Skills Required
• Casting, injection molding and hand casting experience preferred
• Welding, Surface Repair & Finishing. Use welding techniques as TIG (GTAW), Arc (SMAW), Mig/Mag (GMAW) laser(LBW) to repair, restore, or modify die surfaces by hand
• Skilled in hand-molding, grinding, polishing, and finishing complex geometry areas with precision.
• Strong understanding of stamping dies, die components, and tool steel properties.
• Skilled in machining operations, heat treatment, and precision assembly.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, GD&T, and part drawings.
• Experience with manual and CNC equipment operation and setup.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to quality craftsmanship.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Fine motor skills for detailed assembly and precision machining.
• Ability to work overtime or alternate shifts as required by production schedules.