Tool and Die Tech

WKW North America; Pell City (AL); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

WKW North America seeks a skilled Tool & Die Technician at the Pell City plant to maintain and repair dies on the shop floor. The role requires hands-on expertise with large dies, high tonnage presses, and welding, ensuring tools are always in proper working condition.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of die repair experience, overhead crane familiarity, and ability to interpret blueprints. Responsibilities include troubleshooting, die setup, quality checks, and coordinating with tool shops.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree or completed apprenticeship; professional technical training in Tool & Die repair preferred.
• At least 8 years experience repairing dies; overhead crane experience.
• Experience with large dies (single, double stage, progressive dies); high tonnage press operation; MIG/TIG welding experience.

Responsibilities

• Repair, clean, and troubleshoot dies; maintain dies in proper working condition.
• Collaborate with production on tooling issues and tools repair scheduling.
• Coordinate with outside tool shops for repairs not possible in-house.
• Study blueprints and specifications to plan die fabrication and repairs.
• Verify dimensions and tolerances with calipers, micrometers, and dial indicators.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Large dies experience

High tonnage press operation

MIG/TIG welding

Die repair and maintenance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or completed apprenticeship

Technical training in Tool & Die repair

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: WKW Main Plant - Pell City, AL 35125, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $28.17 - $34.00 Hourly, Job Category: Skilled Labor - Trades, The Tool & Die Tech is responsible for the daily maintenance, upkeep and repair all dies on the plant floor. The position is expected to maintain and care for the dies so that they are always in proper working condition.

Duties and responsibilities to include but not limited to:

• Responsible for the repair, cleaning, and troubleshooting of dies
• Work with the production department with all tooling issues
• Coordinate with necessary tool shops with regards to repairs and preventative maintenance that can not be done in-house
• Requires quick and decisive decision when work can not be performed in house
• Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies
• Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators
• Set up and operate 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
• File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together
• With proper approval fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools and hand tools
• Conduct test runs with completed tools or dies to ensure that parts meet specifications; make adjustments as necessary
• Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects
• Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders
• Cut, shape, and trim blanks or blocks to specified lengths or shapes, using power saws, power shears, rules, and hand tools
• Negotiate and review all costs associated with outside tool shop repairs and maintenance
• Assist with the maintenance and repair of machines that are broken or in need of trouble shooting
• Order material, responsible for correct inventory, and parts needed for tool repair and maintenance
• Initiate and conduct preventative maintenance on all dies
• Requires upkeep of work required, last piece off each die, first piece off each die, and maintain die log book for each die
• Attend necessary production meetings to acquire up-to-date information and provide input where needed with regards to the tools/dies
• Operates all machinery and equipment in a safe manner
• Fills out documentation as required
• This role will be responsible for any training that maybe required by others in this role with less experience
• Responsible for keeping work area clean and orderly
• Follows work instructions and procedures
• Other duties as assigned

Authorization Level:

• Able to stop production when die related quality issues are present

Qualifications: Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required
• Associate Degree or completed apprenticeship preferred. Professional Technical Training in Tool & Die Repair or equivalent experience preferably in a manufacturing environment.
• At least 8 years prior experience repairing dies. Training and experience in using an overhead crane.
• Must have previous experience working with large dies – including single, double stage, and progressive dies.
• Experience with high tonnage press operation and mig and tig welding experience required. Strong experience working with mills, lathes, die grinders, surface grinders, and other tool and die equipment required.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Experience with CNC machine operation and modifications preferred.

Skills and abilities:

• Must be mechanically inclined and possess the mechanical skills and abilities to operate equipment, hand tools, gauges, dials and/or other indicators to repair dies and make sure machines are working properly
• Ability to work with large dies – including single, double stage, and progressive dies
• Ability to work with high tonnage press operation
• Problem solving skills and deductive reasoning
• Familiar with automated tooling
• Familiar with repairing hardened steel dies
• Ability to use tool and stone polishing for smooth surface
• Working knowledge of tool hardening and annealing
• Working knowledge of mig and tig welding