Tool & Die Maker

Jobot; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 61,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

First shift

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Incentives based on performance

Stable, established environment

Prototype/short-run projects

Collaborative engineering environment

Tooling-focused role

Job summary

Jobot is seeking an experienced Tool & Die Maker in Chicago, IL. You will manufacture, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain dies, fixtures, and specialized tooling for prototype and low-volume production, reading prints and applying GD&T.

This role emphasizes bench and machine work with mills and grinders, collaborating with engineering and production to resolve tooling challenges, improve manufacturability, and ensure tight tolerances.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Tool & Die apprenticeship, technical training, or comparable hands-on experience preferred.
• Approximately 5+ years of Tool & Die experience preferred.
• Experience supporting prototype and short-run manufacturing.
• Strong milling and surface grinding capabilities.
• Experience with punch press tooling, kick presses, and/or four-slide tooling is highly desirable.
• Solid understanding of machining, die construction, tooling principles, and metal-forming processes.
• Ability to interpret complex prints and GD&T requirements.
• Comfortable working to tight tolerances and inspecting completed work.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering and production teams.

Responsibilities

• Build, modify, repair, and maintain dies, fixtures, and custom production tooling.
• Machine precision tooling components using mills and surface grinders.
• Support tooling used with punch presses, kick presses, four-slide equipment.
• Perform close-tolerance grinding and finishing operations.
• Troubleshoot tooling failures, dimensional concerns, and production issues.
• Read and interpret blueprints and GD&T.
• Document tooling repairs, modifications, and improvements.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and quality-focused workspace.

Skills

Milling

Surface grinding

GD&T

Blueprints

Troubleshooting

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tool & Die apprenticeship/technical training

Tools

Punch press tooling

Kick presses

Four-slide tooling

Mills

Surface grinders

Job description

Tool & Die Maker

$30 - $44 per hour | Chicago, IL | On-site | Permanent

Put your toolmaking experience to work where precision matters, craftsmanship is respected, and challenging builds keep the job interesting.

A bit about us:

We are a well-established precision manufacturing organization supporting customers that demand tight tolerances, dependable quality, and creative manufacturing solutions. Our team produces specialized metal components for highly regulated and technical industries, including aerospace, defense, electronics, medical, and industrial markets.

With a strong focus on quality, continuous improvement, and skilled craftsmanship, we offer an environment where experienced Tool & Die professionals can take ownership of their work and collaborate directly with engineering and production teams.

Why join us?

$30.00 - $42.00/hour, based on experience

• 1st shift schedule
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Performance-based incentive opportunities
• Stable, established precision manufacturing environment
• Variety of prototype and short-run work
• Opportunity to build, troubleshoot, repair, and improve tooling rather than simply running repetitive production
• Collaborative environment with Engineering and Manufacturing

Job Details

We are seeking an experienced Tool & Die Maker with a strong background in precision machining, tooling, and metal forming applications. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys solving problems at the bench and machine, working from prints, and taking tooling projects from concept or repair through successful production.

The Tool & Die Maker will manufacture, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain dies, fixtures, and specialized tooling used primarily in prototype and lower-volume production. You'll work independently on milling and grinding equipment while partnering with engineering and production personnel to resolve tooling challenges and improve manufacturability.

What you'll be doing:

• Build, modify, repair, and maintain dies, fixtures, and custom production tooling
• Machine precision tooling components using mills, surface grinders, and other conventional shop equipment
• Support tooling used with punch presses, kick presses, four-slide equipment, and similar metal-forming machinery
• Perform close-tolerance grinding and finishing operations
• Troubleshoot tooling failures, dimensional concerns, and production issues
• Make adjustments and repairs necessary to return tooling to proper operation
• Read and work from blueprints, technical drawings, specifications, and GD&T
• Verify dimensions and tolerances using micrometers, calipers, height gauges, comparators, and other precision inspection tools
• Partner with Engineering and Production to develop practical tooling solutions and improve existing designs
• Document tooling repairs, modifications, and improvements
• Maintain a safe, organized, and quality-focused work environment

What we're looking for:

• High school diploma or GED required
• Tool & Die apprenticeship, technical training, or comparable hands-on experience preferred
• Approximately 5+ years of Tool & Die experience preferred
• Experience supporting prototype and short-run manufacturing
• Strong milling and surface grinding capabilities
• Experience with punch press tooling, kick presses, and/or four-slide tooling is highly desirable
• Solid understanding of machining, die construction, tooling principles, and metal-forming processes
• Ability to interpret complex prints and GD&T requirements
• Comfortable working to tight tolerances and inspecting completed work
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting and problem-solving ability
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with engineering and production teams

Jobot is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We provide an inclusive work environment that celebrates diversity and all qualified candidates receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, age (40 and over), disability, military status, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Jobot also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. It is Jobot’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws respecting consideration of unemployment status in making hiring decisions.

Sometimes Jobot is required to perform background checks with your authorization. Jobot will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with any applicable federal, state, or local law regarding criminal backgrounds, including but not limited to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.

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