EDM Operator & Electrode Designer — Equity + Benefits

Blackwing; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pay range $20–$35/hour

Health coverage

401(k)

PTO

Job summary

Atomic Industries, headquartered in Detroit, seeks an EDM Operator / Electrode Designer to join our tooling and engineering team. You will extract and design electrodes from 3D mold models and operate sinker EDM machines to burn precise features into hardened tooling components.

You will collaborate with mold design, CNC machining, and assembly teams to meet dimensional, surface finish, and quality targets while supporting efficient cycle times in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in sinker (ram) EDM operation and/or electrode design in a mold or tool & die environment.
• Solid understanding of the EDM process, including spark gaps, overburn, electrode wear, and SPI/VDI surface finishes.
• Proficiency extracting and designing electrodes in Cimatron (or comparable CAD/CAM electrode software).
• Experience machining graphite and copper electrodes on CNC equipment, with the ability to read 3D models and 2D drawings.
• Familiarity with hardened tool steels and their behavior in the EDM process, plus proficiency with precision measuring tools.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Hands‑on manufacturing mindset with the ability to collaborate across shop‑floor and engineering teams.
• Excellent communication skills and comfort working in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Extract and design electrodes from 3D mold models using Cimatron, including burn faces and reference/holder setup.
• Program and machine graphite and copper electrodes on high-speed CNC milling equipment.
• Set up and operate sinker EDM to burn cores, cavities, ribs, and lettering in hardened tool steel.
• Optimize burn parameters and electrode sequencing based on material and geometry.
• Reference and indicate electrodes and workpieces to achieve accurate location, depth, and orientation.
• Achieve SPI surface finishes and dimensional tolerances on mold features.
• Inspect electrodes and burns using micrometers, height gauges, and CMM data.
• Maintain electrode tracking, naming, and documentation to support repeatability.
• Perform routine EDM machine maintenance, including dielectric fluid and electrode holders.
• Incorporate lessons learned and continuous improvement feedback into future electrode and EDM work.

Skills

EDM operation

Electrode design

Cimatron

CNC machining

Precision measuring

Read drawings

Tool & die

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Communication

Tools

CMM

Micrometers

Height gauges

Job description

Atomic Industries, headquartered in Detroit, seeks an EDM Operator / Electrode Designer to join our tooling and engineering team. You will extract and design electrodes from 3D mold models and operate sinker EDM machines to burn precise features into hardened tooling components.

You will collaborate with mold design, CNC machining, and assembly teams to meet dimensional, surface finish, and quality targets while supporting efficient cycle times in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.