RTND53100 - Tool Maker - RTND

Fairbanks Morse Defense; Carson (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

401K with Employer Contributions

Transportation Assistance

Job summary

Research Tool & Die Works is seeking a Tool & Die Maker to build and repair tooling from blueprints, using CNC and manual equipment. The role requires precise interpretation of drawings and tolerances and applicable machining skills.

You will operate lathes, grinders, mills, saws, and boring machines, while ensuring tooling meets engineering specs and quality standards. A strong apprenticeship background is preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience with blueprints and tolerances to produce tooling and dies.
• Able to interpret shop drawings and setups for dies and fixtures.
• Completion of an apprenticeship or on‑the‑job training program.

Responsibilities

• Build and repair custom tools, dies, fixtures, and molds from blueprints.
• Set up and operate manual and CNC machines to manufacture parts.
• Troubleshoot tooling issues and maintain current tooling.

Skills

AutoCAD

Mastercam

CNC Machining

Blueprint Reading

Precision Measuring

Education

High School Diploma

Apprenticeship Certificate

Tools

Manual Lathes

Surface Grinders

Drill Presses

Job description

Job Title: Tool & Die Maker Date: 09/2026

Reports To: Manufacturing Engineer

Summary

At Research Tool & Die Works, a Tool & Die Maker candidate will be required to build and repair custom tools using machining equipment and measuring instruments. The candidate must be able to work from blueprints and sketches to create or modify prototypes, tools, dies, fixtures, and molds. A proficient Tool & Die Maker candidate will be required to calculate dimensions and tolerances in order to perform tool-making tasks. Furthermore, the candidate will be required to operate lathes, grinders, milling, saws, and boring machines to produce the required tools and design and manufacturing software including AutoCAD and Mastercam.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance of tooling, identifying tooling needs
• Sharpen and repair tooling as needed
• Set up and operate manual and CNC machines to manufacture parts to maintain current tooling to meet engineering requirements and blueprints.
• Troubleshoot tooling issues for punch press machines as well as other machines in the tool room
• Be able to use a hoist safely to open and close dies to support and maintain current tooling
• Ability to make new tooling and dies from given designs or blueprints
• Adhere to company Malpractice, Safety, & Ethics Policies

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• High School Diploma (Preferred) or GED
• Experience with AutoCAD design software and Mastercam manufacturing software
• Completed an apprenticeship or on-the-job training program
• Technical or apprentice certificate preferred
• Able to independently perform a wide range of complex duties under general guidance from supervisors
• Ability to interpret shop drawings/blueprints, layouts, and sample parts to determine dimensions and tolerances of finished work pieces, sequence of operation, and set-up requirements
• Must have knowledge of tooling, which includes blanking, forming, compound, pinch trim, and progressive dies
• 5 to 7 years of related experience, working with different types of dies plus bench work assembly/disassembly. Experience must include machining with manual lathes, surface grinders, drill presses, and band saws (both horizontal and vertical)
• CNC knowledge of mills and lathes preferred
• Personal hand and measuring tools are required
• Strong attention to detail
• Good habits of keeping workstations clean along with being punctual and honest
• Other duties assigned by the supervisor

This position includes access or potential access to export-controlled data. Therefore, you will need to qualify as a U.S. Person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Permanent Resident or a political asylee in compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Acceptable proof of this status includes a US Passport, Permanent Resident Card, US birth Certificate, or Naturalization Certificate. Maintenance, including renewal, of licensing authorization is a condition of employment. Government authorization may be a suitable alternative after review on a case-by-case basis.

This is a full-time 40-hour-per-week position; overtime will be scheduled as needed. The standard shift is from 7:00 AM-4:15 PM Monday-Thursday and 7:00 AM-12:00 PM on Friday. Research Tool & Die Works provides an extensive benefits package in which employees can participate, including, but not limited to, medical, dental, and life insurance, paid vacation, 401K with employer contributions, and transportation assistance. This is an outstanding opportunity for someone looking to grow within a great organization!

This specification is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. Ability to competently perform all the essential duties of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, demonstrated commitment to effective customer service delivery, and the ability to work productively as a member of a team or work group are basic requirements of all positions at Fairbanks Morse Defense.