Moldmaker/Toolmaker

Tri-Valley Career Center; Santa Rosa (CA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. in Santa Rosa, CA is seeking an experienced Mold Technician to maintain, repair, and prepare injection molds for production.

The role requires strong technical skills, precision tooling experience, and the ability to troubleshoot mold issues in a fast-paced environment. You will work with CNC machining centers, EDM (wire/sinker), Mastercam programming, and document maintenance logs in the ALS system, while coordinating with the tooling supervisor to ensure on-time

Qualifications

• Two-year degree or technical/trade-school certification.
• 5+ years mold maintenance, toolmaking, or precision machining experience.
• Experience with injection molding environments preferred.
• Knowledge of mold components: cores, cavities, runners, gating, cooling, ejector mechanisms, parting lines.
• Proficiency with CNC machining, grinding, and EDM operations.
• Ability to read mold prints, CAD drawings, and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple mold projects in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain proper inventory of replacement parts and mold components.
• Repair or modify mold components to restore function and quality.
• Welding and refurbishment of worn areas with precision, including TIG micro-welding.
• Operate sinker EDM and wire EDM for precise molding features.
• Use CNC machining centers and Mastercam to fabricate and modify mold components.
• Complete maintenance logs and mold history in ALS; communicate status with tooling supervisor.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Strong technical skills

Attention to detail

Independent work

Education

Two-year degree or technical/trade-school certification

Tools

CNC machining centers

EDM: wire and sinker

Mastercam programming

CAD drawings interpretation

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Mold Technician to support our manufacturing operations at our Santa Rosa, CA location by ensuring all injection molds are properly maintained, repaired, and production-ready. This role is critical to keeping our presses running efficiently and ensuring high-quality output. The ideal candidate has strong technical skills, experience with precision tooling equipment, and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve mold-related issues in a fast-paced production environment.

How You’ll Make An Impact

• Maintain Proper Inventory of Replacement Parts: Ensure correct replacement parts, consumables, and mold components are on hand by monitoring inventory levels, identifying shortages, and coordinating with purchasing to prevent delays in mold maintenance or production.
• Repair or Modify Mold Components: Perform precision repairs, adjustments, and modifications to mold components such as cavities, cores, lifters, slides, and ejector systems to restore function and meet production quality standards.
• Welding Experience: Utilize welding techniques (e.g., TIG micro-welding) to rebuild worn areas, repair damaged components, and support mold refurbishment while maintaining dimensional accuracy and surface integrity.
• Sinker and Wire EDM Experience: Operate sinker EDM and wire EDM equipment for precise machining, contouring, and restoration of intricate mold features. Ensure work meets tight tolerances and supports proper mold performance.
• CNC Machining / Mastercam Programming: Use CNC machining centers for fabricating and modifying mold components. Generate or edit toolpaths using Mastercam to produce accurate and high-quality parts according to engineering specifications.
• Documentation & Systems: Complete all required maintenance logs, mold history records, and corrective actions in the ALS (Asset Lifecycle System). Ensure accurate documentation for traceability, compliance, and future reference. Communicate maintenance status, issues, and part requirements with the tooling supervisor and production team.

What You Bring

• Education: Two-year degree or college courses, technical or trade-school certification. Additional coursework in machining, tooling, or manufacturing technology is highly desirable.
• Work Experience: 5+ years related experience in mold maintenance, toolmaking, precision machining, or related hands on manufacturing roles or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience with injection molding environments is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of injection mold design and function, including knowledge of components such as cores, cavities, runners, gating, cooling systems, ejector mechanisms, and parting lines.
• Proficiency with CNC machining, grinding equipment, and EDM operations (both wire and sinker EDM). Ability to set up, operate, and troubleshoot machining processes to achieve precise tolerances.
• Ability to read and interpret mold prints, CAD drawings, and detailed engineering specifications, including understanding tolerance stacks, surface finishes, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, critical thinking skills and attention to detail, with the ability to diagnose tooling issues and recommend effective corrective actions.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage multiple mold projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Location: This position must be based in Santa Rosa, California and requires the employee to be located within commuting distance of the office.

Total Rewards Package:

At Bio-Rad, we’re empowered by our purpose and recognize that our employees are as well. That’s why we offer a competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Program that provides value, quality, and inclusivity while satisfying the diverse needs of our evolving workforce. Bio-Rad's robust offerings serve to enrich the overall health, wealth, and wellbeing of our employees and their families through the various stages of an employee’s work and life cycle.

Benefits:

We’re proud to offer a variety of options, including competitive medical plans for you and your family, free HSA funds, a new fertility offering with stipend, group life and disability, paid parental leave, 401k plus profit sharing, an employee stock purchase program, a new upgraded and streamlined mental health platform, extensive learning and development opportunities, education benefits, student debt relief program, pet insurance, wellness challenges and support, paid time off, Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s), and more!

Compensation:

The estimated base salary range for this position is $80,600 to $110,800 at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be provided in writing at the time of offer, if applicable, and is based on several factors we believe fairly and accurately impact compensation, including geographic location, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other job permitted factors. This position is eligible for a variable annual bonus, which is dependent upon achievement of your individual objectives and Company performance.

Who We Are:

For 70 years, Bio-Rad has focused on advancing the discovery process and transforming the fields of science and healthcare. As one of the top five life science companies, we are a global leader in developing, manufacturing, and marketing a broad range of high-quality research and clinical diagnostic products. We help people everywhere live longer, healthier lives. Bio-Rad offers a unique employee experience with collaborative teams that span the globe. Here, you are supported by leadership to build your career and are empowered to drive change that makes an impact you can see.

EEO Statement:

Bio-Rad is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, and we welcome candidates of all backgrounds. Veterans, people with physical or mental disabilities, and people of all race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin and citizenship status are encouraged to apply.

Legal Entity: (USA_1000)Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.