Die Maintenance Technician

Jonathan Lee Group; Gateshead; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-day working week

Overtime available

Temp-to-perm opportunity

Competitive hourly rate

Job summary

Jonathan Lee Group in Gateshead is recruiting a Die Maintenance Technician to join a busy automotive press shop. You will maintain, repair and improve press tooling to support production and minimise downtime.

The role requires an apprenticeship in Toolmaking or related qualification and hands-on experience in machining, bench fitting, and measuring drawings. Early shift 6:30am–4:30pm with potential for a rotating back shift; 37.5 hours/week.

Qualifications

• Apprenticeship in Toolmaking or Die Maintenance or equivalent.
• Practical machining, bench fitting and surface grinding experience.
• Experience diagnosing press tooling faults and repairing tooling.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and interpret measurements.
• Knowledge of health and safety, lock-out/tag-out procedures.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair and refurbish press tooling and dies.
• Diagnose tooling faults, including splits, burrs, and gaps.
• Attend production presses to diagnose and rectify tooling problems.
• Carry out milling, turning, drilling, tapping and reaming.
• Perform bench fitting, surface grinding and welding repairs.
• Use precision measuring equipment and interpret drawings.
• Support preventive maintenance and continuous improvement activities.

Skills

Toolmaking expertise

Dies maintenance

Machining

Bench fitting

Surface grinding

Reading engineering drawings

Lock-out/tag-out safety

Welding (TIG/MIG/STICK)

Education

Apprenticeship in Toolmaking or Die Maintenance

Tools

Verniers

Micrometers

Dial test indicators (DTI)

Height gauges

Machining equipment (mills, lathes)

Job description

Die Maintenance Technician

Gateshead | £17 per hour + 15% shift premium on 8 hours | £34,210 per annum | 4-day week (Monday–Thursday)

Early shift initially: 6:30am – 4:30pm

Are you a time-served Toolmaker or Die Maintenance Technician looking for a new opportunity offering a four-day working week?

We're recruiting a Die Maintenance Technician to join an established automotive manufacturing business based in Gateshead. Working within the press shop, you'll be responsible for maintaining, repairing and improving press tooling to support production and minimise downtime.

The Role:

• Maintain, repair and refurbish press tooling and dies.
• Diagnose and resolve tooling faults, including splits, rippling, burrs and gap issues.
• Attend production presses to investigate and rectify tooling problems.
• Carry out machining activities including milling, turning, drilling, tapping and reaming.
• Undertake bench fitting, surface grinding, hand grinding and welding repairs.
• Use precision measuring equipment including verniers, micrometers, DTI's and height gauges.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings.
• Support preventative maintenance and continuous improvement activities.

What We're Looking For:

• Completed apprenticeship in Toolmaking or Die Maintenance, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
• Practical experience in machining, bench fitting and surface grinding.
• Experience diagnosing and repairing press tooling faults.
• Confident using precision measuring equipment and interpreting engineering drawings.
• Knowledge of health and safety procedures, including lock-out/tag-out.
• TIG, MIG and/or Stick welding experience would be advantageous.

Hours & Benefits:

• 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Thursday.
• Early shift: 6:30am – 4:30pm.
• Potential to move onto a rotating shift pattern, including back shift (12:30pm – 10:30pm).
• Overtime available when required.
• Temp-to-perm opportunity.