Tool Die Maker

Current CVG employees, please click HERE to login and apply. Tool & Die Maker Location: Michigan City, Indiana Position Summary The Tool & Die Maker serves as the technical backbone of the plant's tooling infrastructure; designing, fabricating, maintaining, and repairing the precision tooling, fixtures, dies, and production nests that keep manufacturing operations running at peak efficiency. This role operates at the intersection of engineering and the shop floor, functioning either as the originating design authority for new tooling or as the skilled executor of tooling orders issued by the Engineering or Process departments. The Tool & Die Maker leverages advanced CNC machining (Haas), Mastercam CAM programming, lathe operations, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) to deliver tooling solutions with speed and precision. This position reports directly to the Operations Manager. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Tooling Design & Fabrication o CNC Machining & CAM Programming: Program and operate Haas CNC machining centers using Mastercam software to produce precision tooling components from raw stock. Generate, verify, and optimize toolpaths to maximize accuracy, minimize cycle time, and extend tool life. o Lathe & Manual Machining Operations: Set up and operate manual and CNC lathes to produce turned components, perform facing, boring, threading, and finishing operations to tight dimensional tolerances. o 3D Modeling & Additive Manufacturing: Develop 3D models for tooling components, production nests, and fixturing using CAD/CAM software. Leverage in-house 3D printing capabilities to prototype, qualify, and produce functional tooling elements that reduce lead time and material costs. o Design Authority (when applicable): When assigned as design-responsible, independently develop tooling concepts from requirements through final design; accounting for material selection, tolerancing, manufacturability, and production repeatability. Document designs and maintain revision-controlled drawings. o Execution of Engineering & Process Orders: When operating in an execution role, translate tooling orders from Engineering or the Process department into fabricated, qualified tooling — raising design concerns or change requests through proper channels when specifications are unclear or impractical. Shop Floor Tooling Support & Maintenance o Reactive Tooling Response: Serve as the primary responder to tooling failures impacting active production lines. Diagnose root causes rapidly, implement interim fixes as needed, and deliver permanent repairs that restore full tooling performance. o Tooling Maintenance Program: Execute a structured preventive maintenance schedule for all dies, fixtures, jigs, nests, and gauges. Monitor wear patterns, track tool life cycles, and proactively recommend replacement or refurbishment before failures occur. o Tooling Modification & Rework: Perform engineering change-driven tooling modifications and process-improvement-driven reworks, ensuring that updated tooling is properly documented and validated before re-release to production. o Tooling Records & Documentation: Maintain accurate, up-to-date tooling records including inspection logs, repair history, revision status, and preventive maintenance intervals. Ensure all documentation supports traceability and quality audits. Process Improvement & New Tooling Qualification o Continuous Improvement Participation: Identify and champion opportunities to improve tool life, performance, and production efficiency. Collaborate with Process Engineers to validate that tooling modifications positively impact yield, cycle time, or quality outcomes before full deployment. o New Product Launch Support: Partner with Engineering and Operations during new product introduction to design, build, prove-out, and qualify production tooling. Ensure tooling is validated against dimensional specifications and production rate expectations prior to SOP (Start of Production). o 3D Print Integration: Actively drive adoption of additive manufacturing for tooling applications - evaluating which tooling candidates are suitable for printed production nests, locating fixtures, or prototype tooling to reduce cost and accelerate delivery. Supervisory Responsibilities This is an individual contributor role with significant cross-functional influence. The position does not carry direct reports but is expected to function as the technical authority on tooling matters - guiding production operators, team leads, and process personnel on correct tool usage, handling, and maintenance practices. Required Qualifications Education and/or Experience o Education: High school diploma or GED required. Completion of a Tool & Die apprenticeship program, technical certificate (CNC/Machining), or AAS in Manufacturing Technology strongly preferred.