Skilled - Lead Mold Maker

Monroechamber; Mequon (WI); On-site; USD 94,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

Monroechamber is seeking an experienced Lead Mold Maker in Mequon, WI to lead the tool room for high-volume plastic molding. The role requires hands-on leadership, deep mold repair knowledge, and the ability to mentor staff.

Salary ranges from $45.00 to $50.00 per hour, with first shift hours. Direct hire in Mequon, WI, offering growth in tooling and process improvements. Safety and quality standards are emphasized.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of mold-making experience in plastics manufacturing.
• Journeyman Mold Maker certification/card required.
• Ability to read blueprints and CAD drawings.
• Experience with hot runner systems, slides, lifters, and multi-cavity molds.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily tool room activities, prioritize mold changeovers, maintenance, and production support.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership for mold troubleshooting and repairs.
• Mentor and develop tool room personnel.
• Establish best practices for mold repair, maintenance, and documentation.
• Coordinate with outside vendors for tooling and repair services.
• Support mold sampling, tryouts, and new product launches.
• Identify tooling and mold design improvements to increase life and reduce downtime.

Skills

Mold making

Tool room leadership

Troubleshooting

Blueprint reading

CAD drawings

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Precision machining

Hydraulic systems

Pneumatic systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or technical-school preferred

Tools

SolidWorks

Mastercam

Job description

Position Title: Lead Mold Maker

Wage: $45.00-$50.00/hour Shift: 1st Hours: 6:30am-3:30pm Mequon, WI.

We are seeking an experienced Lead Mold Maker to provide hands-on technical leadership within a tool room supporting high-volume rigid plastic manufacturing. This is a direct hire opportunity in Mequon, WI.

Lead Mold Maker Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Tool Room Leadership - Lead daily tool room activities and prioritize mold changeovers, repairs, preventative maintenance, and production support
• Provide hands-on technical leadership for complex mold troubleshooting and repairs
• Mentor and develop tool room personnel
• Establish and maintain best practices for mold repair, preventative maintenance, and documentation
• Maintain appropriate inventories of tooling parts and department supplies
• Coordinate with outside vendors for specialized tooling and repair services as needed

Mold Repair, Machining & Tooling

• Build new mold components and modify, maintain, and repair injection and/or blow molds used in plastic manufacturing
• Perform precision machining using mills, lathes, grinders, EDM equipment, polishing equipment, and other tool room machinery
• Diagnose and correct mold-related problems, including flash, short shots, dimensional variation, cosmetic defects, and tooling damage
• Troubleshoot various manifold/hot runner heating systems and perform necessary repairs
• Work with hot runner systems, slides, lifters, and complex multi-cavity molds
• Use SolidWorks and Mastercam to interpret mold geometry, develop machining strategies, and support repairs or new component builds
• Perform precision mold fitting while maintaining tight tolerances
• Troubleshoot and service hydraulic and pneumatic components related to tooling
• Perform basic electrical troubleshooting as it relates to molds and tooling
• Support mold sampling, tryouts, and new product launches as needed

Continuous Improvement

• Identify tooling and mold design improvements that can increase mold life, improve cycle times, enhance part quality, and reduce downtime
• Develop and support preventative maintenance programs
• Participate in mold design revisions and cost-saving initiatives
• Support continuous improvement programs utilizing Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies

Quality & Safety

• Maintain dimensional accuracy and tight tolerances on all tooling work
• Follow established safety procedures, tool room standards, and manufacturing practices
• Support quality requirements related to product specifications and customer expectations
• Safely operate overhead cranes for movement of large injection molds and tooling
• Safely operate forklifts and other material-handling equipment
• Follow all applicable food safety, quality, PPE, and manufacturing procedures

Lead Mold Maker Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or technical-school education preferred
• 7+ years of mold-making experience within plastics manufacturing required
• Strong experience with plastic injection molding preferred
• Experience supporting high-volume plastics manufacturing strongly preferred
• State-indentured Journeyman Mold Maker certification/card required
• Strong experience with hot runner systems, slides, lifters, and complex multi-cavity molds
• Advanced knowledge of mold repair, mold fitting, precision machining, and troubleshooting
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints, CAD drawings, tooling schematics, and technical documentation
• Experience with SolidWorks and Mastercam in a tool room environment
• Ability to operate mills, lathes, grinders, EDM equipment, and common tool room machinery
• Working knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical systems as they relate to tooling
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and root-cause problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently while also providing technical direction and leadership to others
• Basic proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and other Windows-based applications
• Extended periods of standing, reaching, bending, and working around injection molding equipment
• Frequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 75 pounds
• Safely climb and work around plastic injection molding presses
• Operate overhead cranes and large forklifts
• Work safely around moving mechanical equipment and manufacturing machinery
• Wear required PPE, including safety glasses and hearing protection

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.