Manual Toolroom Machinist and Toolmaker

Top Echelon LLC; Barkhamsted (CT); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Echelon LLC seeks an experienced Manual Toolroom Machinist to support manufacturing operations. The role involves producing, repairing, and modifying fixtures, workholding devices, tooling, and precision gages from drawings or concepts.

You will set up and operate manual machines, interpret drawings, select tooling, and ensure measurements meet specifications. Collaboration with engineering and quality teams is essential for repeatable results.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience as a manual machinist, toolroom machinist, or toolmaker in a manufacturing setting.
• Ability to read technical drawings and use precision inspection tools accurately.
• Knowledge of shop mathematics, materials, and tooling selection.
• Experience producing precision tooling, fixtures, and gages to close tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble precision fixtures, workholding devices, custom tooling, and gages.
• Set up and operate manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines, and surface grinders.
• Interpret drawings and tolerancing requirements to plan machining operations.
• Inspect finished components with micrometers, calipers, indicators, and bore gages.
• Troubleshoot and modify tooling to address wear and manufacturing changes.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve efficiency.

Skills

Manual machining

Reading drawings

GD&T knowledge

Problem solving

Education

Toolmaker apprenticeship or technical machining training

Tools

Manual jig borers

Grinders

Lathes

Milling machines

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Manual Toolroom Machinist and Toolmaker to support manufacturing operations. This hands-on role is responsible for producing, repairing, and modifying manufacturing fixtures, workholding devices, specially designed tooling, and precision gages. The ideal candidate brings a strong background operating manual machines and can independently take a project from a drawing or concept through machining, assembly, and final inspection.

Key Responsibilities

Manufacture and assemble precision fixtures, workholding devices, custom tooling, and gages to support production and inspection needs.

Set up and operate manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, and other toolroom equipment.

Interpret engineering drawings, sketches, specifications, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements to plan machining operations.

Select appropriate materials, cutting tools, workholding methods, speeds, feeds, and machining sequences to achieve required dimensions and finishes.

Inspect finished components using micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gages, and other precision measuring equipment.

Troubleshoot, repair, and modify existing tooling, fixtures, and gages to address wear, dimensional issues, and manufacturing changes.

Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to solve tooling problems and improve manufacturing efficiency and repeatability.

Maintain toolroom equipment, keep work areas organized, and follow established safety and quality procedures.

Perform other machining and toolmaking tasks in support of manufacturing.

Required Qualifications

Proven hands-on experience as a manual machinist, toolroom machinist, or toolmaker in a manufacturing environment.

Strong proficiency with manual jig borers, grinders, lathes, and milling machines, including independent setup and operation.

Experience producing precision tooling, fixtures, workholding devices, and gages to close tolerances.

Ability to read technical drawings and use precision inspection tools accurately.

Working knowledge of shop mathematics, machining practices, material properties, and tooling selection.

Strong mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize work and communicate with manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Completion of a toolmaker apprenticeship or technical training in machining or toolmaking. Experience developing tooling from sketches or concepts and supporting prototype or one-off manufacturing projects is a plus.