Manual Toolroom Machinist and Toolmaker

Htprof; Connecticut; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Htprof is seeking an experienced toolmaker/manual machinist to support precision tooling, fixtures, and gages. You will set up and operate jig borers, grinders, lathes, and milling machines while interpreting drawings and governing GD&T requirements.

Responsibilities include selecting tools, inspecting components with precision instruments, troubleshooting tooling, and collaborating with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve efficiency and repeatability.

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience as a manual machinist/toolmaker in manufacturing.
• Proficient with jig borers, grinders, lathes, and milling machines.
• Ability to read technical drawings and use precision inspection tools.
• Knowledge of shop math, materials, and tooling selection.
• Strong problem-solving and communication with manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture and assemble precision tooling and fixtures.
• Set up and operate manual jig borers, lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, and other toolroom equipment.
• Interpret engineering drawings and GD&T requirements to plan machining operations.
• Select materials, cutting tools, workholding methods, speeds, feeds, and sequences.
• Inspect finished components with micrometers, calipers, indicators, bore gauges, etc.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and modify tooling, fixtures, and gages as needed.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve efficiency.
• Maintain toolroom equipment and keep work areas organized according to safety and quality procedures.
• Perform other machining and toolmaking tasks in support of manufacturing.

Skills

Read drawings

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Toolmaker apprenticeship/technical machining training

Tools

Manual jig borers

Grinders

Lathes

Milling machines

Job description

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.