Progressive Die Toolmaker — Metal Stamping

100Hires, Inc.; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

100Hires, Inc. in Wood Dale, IL is seeking a skilled Progressive Die Toolmaker to build, repair, and maintain dies and fixtures for continuous-run punch presses. You will study engineering drawings, plan sequences, and use grinders, mills, lathes, and drills to shape parts and improve designs.

You will assess die damage, perform repairs, document work, and support safety and quality initiatives while collaborating across the department and mentoring teammates.

Qualifications

• Fluent in reading Blueprints, Piece Prints, and GD&T.
• Advanced math for feeds, speeds, distances, and geometry.
• Proficient with measurement tools including calipers, micrometers, thread gauges.
• Experience with dies and fixtures for progressive stamping.
• Able to interpret engineering drawings and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Build, repair, and maintain tools, dies, and fixtures for progressive run punches.
• Interpret drawings; make design recommendations when appropriate.
• Receive, inspect, disassemble, clean, and repair dies; prevent recurrence.
• Plan operations, set up, and run grinders, mills, lathes for machining.
• Read die specs; verify tolerances with gauges and micrometers.
• Move tooling safely with die lifters, cranes; follow lifting procedures.
• Train others and participate in safety and quality initiatives.

Skills

Troubleshooting Skills

Blueprint Reading

GD&T Interpretation

Advanced Math for Machining

CNC Program Fluency

Heavy Tooling & Die Handling

Tools

CNC Controls

Calipers

Micrometers

Dial Gauges

Die Lifters

Overhead Cranes

Job description

Progressive Die Toolmaker — Metal StampingLocation: Wood Dale, ILReports to: Tool Room ManagerDate: 10/12/22A day in this roleIt starts with a print on your bench in Wood Dale. You study the engineering drawings, plan your sequence, and head to the grinders, mills, lathes, and drills. By mid-morning, you’re building and repairing dies and fixtures for continuous-run punch presses, shaping close-tolerance parts, and offering smart design suggestions when a blueprint can be improved. A die arrives from production—there’s damage. You assess root cause, disassemble with hand and power tools, clean thoroughly, and implement a fix that reduces the chance of repeat failures.After lunch, you set up multiple machines to sharpen tooling, fabricate prototypes, and perform precision measurements with micrometers, calipers, and gauges to ensure every specification is met. A crane and die lifter help you move heavy tooling safely; you follow lockout and PPE rules, keep your area clean, and document the work performed. When a line calls for help, you troubleshoot the die and related mechanical tooling, lubricate where needed, check oil, grease fittings, wipe spills, and clear scrap to keep production flowing.Before the day ends, you update repair and quality records, recommend improvements, coach a teammate on a setup, review spare component inventory, and complete all paperwork accurately. You collaborate across the department, support others as needed, and take part in training to sharpen your craft. Other duties arise—and you handle them with care and urgency.What you’ll handleBuild, repair, and maintain tools, dies, and fixtures for continuous run punch presses and related metal fabrication equipmentInterpret engineering drawings/blueprints; make design recommendations when appropriateReceive, inspect, disassemble, clean, and perform routine to complex die repairs; implement corrective actions to prevent recurrencePlan operations, set up, and run grinders, drills, mills, lathes, and hand tools for machining and sharpeningRead die specifications; verify tolerances with micrometers, calipers, and fixed/adjustable gaugesSafely move tooling with die lifters, lift trucks, and overhead/jib cranes using proper lifting techniquesConduct routine operator maintenance; troubleshoot production lines, dies, and mechanical tooling; lubricate and maintain housekeepingFollow safety standards and PPE requirements; maintain a neat, organized workspace; participate in safety initiativesMaintain and review repair, engineering change, and quality records; escalate or correct issues to sustain quality and outputTrain/instruct others in machining, die maintenance, and repair; recommend process and design improvementsManage inventory for spare die components and required suppliesComplete all required documentation accurately and on time; adhere to company policies including safety and attendanceEngage in continuous improvement of personal skills, departmental processes, and product quality; collaborate to resolve daily issuesPerform other duties as assigned to meet company needsYour backgroundProficient with assigned machinery and equipment, including CNC programs and control panelsFluent in reading Blueprints, Piece Prints, and GD&TAdvanced math for feeds, speeds, distances, print conversion, and geometrySkilled with measurement tools: calipers, micrometers, thread gauges, and moreKnowledge of machining characteristics across various raw materialsClear written and verbal communication; able to follow and provide instructionsPhysical and work environmentSedentary positionAbility to travel via public and private transportation20/20 vision required, with or without correctionHands in use throughout 100% of the workdayStanding or walking up to 25% of the workdayFrequent twisting, bending, and leaningOffice environment with occasional exposure to loud noise, dust, solvents, coolants, and oilsProficienciesTroubleshooting SkillsMetal Stamping & Forming (Progressive Die)Tool/Die/Mold Repair SkillsTool/Die/Mold Setup ExperienceBlueprint ReadingClassificationFLSANon-Exempt