Manual Toolroom Machinist and Toolmaker

Sora Resource Group; Barkhamsted (CT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sora Resource Group is seeking an experienced Manual Toolroom Machinist and Toolmaker to support manufacturing operations. This hands-on role requires you to produce, repair, and modify fixtures, tooling, and gages from drawings to finished parts.

You will set up and operate manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines, and surface grinders, inspect with precision instruments, and collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve tooling and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience as a manual machinist or toolmaker in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read technical drawings and use precision inspection tools accurately.
• Experience producing precision tooling, fixtures, workholding devices, and gages to close tolerances.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Independent setup and operation of manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble precision fixtures, workholding devices, custom tooling, and gages.
• Set up and operate manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines, surface grinders.
• Inspect finished components using micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gauges.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and modify tooling, fixtures, and gages.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve tooling and efficiency.
• Maintain toolroom equipment and keep work areas organized.
• Perform other machining and toolmaking tasks.

Skills

Manual machining

Toolmaking

Blueprint reading

Precision measurement

Problem solving

Education

Toolmaker apprenticeship or technical training

Tools

Jig borers

Lathes

Milling machines

Grinders

Surface grinders

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.