NY Tool and Die Maker

Check-Mate Industries; West Babylon (NY); On-site; USD 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Check-Mate Industries in West Babylon, NY seeks a skilled Tool and Die Maker with journeyman status or completion of a formal apprenticeship. The role builds, repairs, and maintains dies, fixtures, and tooling per designs and control plans, and requires reading prints, using precision measuring tools, and setting up CNC machines.

The candidate will analyze specifications, layout stock, and ensure dimensions meet tolerances. Strong safety practices and the ability to lead small teams are valued.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Journeyman Tool & Die Maker and/or completion of an apprenticeship (4 years) or advanced manufacturing certificate, followed by at least 4 years of on‑the‑job training.
• 5 years experience in the trade; emphasis on small precision stampings from progressive dies.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English (preferred).
• Knowledge/experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and EDM (a plus).

Responsibilities

• Conduct test runs to ensure parts meet specs and adjust as needed.
• Cut, shape, and trim blanks to specified dimensions using hand and power tools.
• File, grind, shim, and fit parts for proper assembly.
• Assemble dies, jigs, gauges, and tools using machine tools and hand tools.
• Inspect dies for smoothness, conformance, and defects.
• Position and secure machined parts on surfaces with fixtures and clamps.
• Measure and lay out stock using calipers, micrometers, and rulers.
• Set up and operate CNC lathes, mills, and grinders as required.
• Polish surfaces and finish tools or dies.
• Study drawings and specs to plan operations.

Skills

Read tool & die designs

Shop math & trig

Use precision measuring tools

CNC setup & operation

Analytical troubleshooting

Education

Journeyman Tool & Die

Apprenticeship (4 yrs) / cert

English proficiency

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

EDM

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Corporate Office - West Babylon, NY, Salary Range: $28000.00 - $36000.00Salary/year, SUMMARY OF POSITION:

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Tooling Manager, the Tool and Die Maker has a Journeymen license or has completed a formal apprenticeship program. Tool and Die Maker builds, repairs, and maintains: dies, fixtures, and all other tooling in conformance to customer and/or company specifications per control plans. Analyzes specifications, lays out metal stock, sets up and operates machine tools, and fits and assembles parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

Maintains a safe working environment by ensuring compliance with procedures and safety regulations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Conducts test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications; makes adjustments as necessary.
• Cuts, shapes, and trims blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules and hand tools.
• Files, grinds, shims, and adjusts different parts to properly fit them together.
• Fits and assembles parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools.
• Inspects finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
• Lifts, positions, and secures machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
• Measures, marks, and scribes’ metal or plastic stock to lay out machining, using instruments such as protractors, micrometers, scribes, and rulers.
• Selects metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness and heat tolerance.
• Sets up and operates conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
• Sets up and operate drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly.
• Smooths and polishes flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.
• Studies blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
• Verifies dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators.
• Visualizes and computes dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
• Casts plastic tools or parts, or tungsten-carbide cutting tips, using pre-made molds.
• Designs jigs, fixtures, and templates for use as work aids in the fabrication of parts or products.
• Develops and designs new tools and dies, using computer-aided design software.
• Sets pyrometer controls of heat-treating furnaces, and feed or place parts, tools, or assemblies into furnaces to harden.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to read tool and die designs and prints
• Basic shop math and trigonometry
• Ability to use precise measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, gauge blocks, dial indicators, etc.
• Ability to operate all standard tool room equipment such as milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, lathes, etc. CNC machine set up a plus
• Must have strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
• General knowledge of tool and die design including various tool steels / carbides and their application is a plus
• Able to work independently and be self-motivated
• Must be able to work without supervision and lead small teams as required
• Ability to work with appropriate outside vendors
• Ability to train and develop apprentices
• Ability to communicate well with others

Safety, Health, Environmental (SH&E)

• Ability to manually operate tool room machinery
• Ability to access tooling both in and out of machines to troubleshoot problems
• Support and comply with all procedures and work instructions.
• Must observe all safety regulations to ensure employees own safety as well as the safety of others. Support a safe and healthy work environment that is free of recognized hazards for all employees, contractors and visitors.
• Cooperate with all local, state and federal agencies, such as OSHA or the EPA, in the event of an inspection.
• Know and follow all applicable SH&E Policies and Procedures.

Qualifications: MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent education or trade school diploma program
• Journeyman Tool & Die Maker and/ or completion of an apprenticeship (4 years) or advanced manufacturing certificate, followed by at least 4 years of on-the-job training
• 5 years experience in the trade; emphasis on small precision stampings from progressive dies
• An ability to communicate effectively in English both in writing and verbally (Preferred)
• Knowledge/ experience with AutoCAD, Solid Works, and EDM (a Plus)

Language Skills - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, personnel policies, graphs and other production documents. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior leaders, departmental managers and directors.

Physical Demands - While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit and walk for extended periods of time. Employees must be able to stand for long periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, reach overhead, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, reading a computer screen and small print.

Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job in a fast-paced industrial setting. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is loud. Compliance with personal protective equipment is required.

COMPETENCIES

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; collects and researches data; uses intuition and experience to complement data; designs workflow processes and procedures
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; gathers and analyzes information skillfully; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem-solving situations; uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Focus - Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of internal and external customers; gets first-hand customer information and uses it for improvements in products and services; acts with customers in mind; establishes and maintain effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
• Leadership - Inspires respect and trust; provides vision to peers and subordinates.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy, timeliness, and thoroughness; monitors own processes to ensure quality.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; completes tasks correctly and on time; supports the organization’s mission, goals, and values
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions as required by the scope of practice; exhibits sound and accurate judgment; supports and explains reasoning for decisions made; includes appropriate patient/ family member/staff in the decision‑making process.
• Detailed Oriented - Is detail-oriented; follows through and ensures a high quality of work and productivity; thorough.