Tool & Die Repair – Experience Required – 1st Shift (5 am – 3:30 pm M-Thur )

Dowding Industries, Inc.; Eaton Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement program

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Dowding Industries, Inc. seeks a Tool & Die Technician to maintain and repair dies used in stamping and tooling production. You will troubleshoot die problems, perform repairs by hand and machine tools, and collaborate with manufacturing engineering to improve die designs.

Candidate will be skilled in CAD/CAM, GD&T, blueprints, and precision metrology; strong planning and communication are essential. This role is based in Michigan, with a focus on quality and efficiency.

Qualifications

• Toolmaking skills to diagnose, analyze, and modify tooling concerns.
• Exceptional planning, estimating, shop math, blueprints, and GD&T skills.
• CAD and CAM skills for design, development, and mapping of details and tooling.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment including CMM, calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

Responsibilities

• Review dies not yet in production or recently out of production to identify potential problems; provide short-term and in-depth repair as needed.
• Repair dies as necessary with hand grinding, machining, drilling, milling, and heat treatment.
• Compare die designs with production and quality control requirements and suggest improvements with manufacturing engineering.
• Observe initial production runs to verify conformance to quality specs and feedback for die modification.
• Prioritize die repair to meet production schedules and coordinate with the production supervisor.
• Develop blueprints/maps of die breakage or problem areas for repair.
• Assist with optimal die setup to ensure parts meet specifications and adjust dies as needed.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of tools, equipment, and work area.

Job description

About Us

Since 1965, Dowding has grown from a tool and die manufacturer to a leading edge, world‑class manufacturer of metal stampings, fabrication, precision machined components, and assemblies. We capitalize on our rich manufacturing history and utilize Michigan's engineering expertise to provide our customers the competitive advantage needed in today's markets. At Dowding Industries, we utilize only the latest advanced processing methods and assembly technologies to deliver tomorrow's solutions, today. Producing parts for automotive, railcar, defense and infrastructure sectors as well, we are helping bring Michigan back to the forefront of manufacturing! Dowding Industries is firmly committed to providing products and services which in all ways meet or exceed our customer's requirements for delivery, quality and value.

Position Summary

Maintenance and repair of all tools and dies used in stamping and tooling production areas.

Responsibilities

• Review dies not yet in production or newly out of production, to identify potential problem. Therefore, repair is provided prior to production. Troubleshoot for problems with die or die set-up. Provide short-term problems with die or die set-up. Provide short-term solutions for all repair during production runs, then provide in-depth repair where needed following production. Respond to written die repair requests as received.
• Repair dies as necessary with hand grinding, machining, and drilling, milling and other techniques including occasional heat treat of steels.
• Compare design of dies with production and quality control requirements. Suggest or make improvements and modification in die design as necessary in conjunction with manufacturing engineering.
• Observe initial production runs to evaluate whether the die is producing a part according to customer and company determined quality control specifications. Assess dies in production by "spotting" or fitting parts to dies. Feed back information to Tool Room Supervisor to have new dies modified by the tool room before being released as production tool.
• Prioritize die repair as necessary to meet production requirements and schedules. Coordinate scheduling of die repairs with production supervisor. Refer to die analyses report to establish which parts of die need attention. Evaluate cost and awaits direction for major repair.
• Develop blueprints to "map" problems identified in die breakage. Occasionally a steel or section of the die breaks. To complete a repair effectively, a drawing must be developed of a die section (identifying hole location, etc.).
• Assist in providing recommendations for proper set-up of dies to ensure part is produced according to specifications. Make recommendations for modification of die or die set-up as appropriate. Adjust steels or die sections, locating holes with dowels, shimming as necessary, working with steels and sections to adjust heights of steels and clearances according to materials to be worked with. This is done with existing dies.
• Evaluate parts produced during initial production to determine condition of die.
• Maintain standard of cleanliness and organization of all equipment, tools and materials used. Clean equipment and work area when finished with machine operations or other activities. Maintain an organized tool bench and/or personal toolbox.
• Performs all duties in a safe and efficient manner according to company and OSHA required safety guidelines. Wears appropriate protective equipment as required. Utilizes all safety devices in machining operation. Instructs apprentices and trainee personnel in safe equipment operation and safety procedures as necessary.
• Seek new methods, procedures, design and repair techniques as appropriate to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness through decreased downtime and decreased loss due to scrap.
• Handle projects as assigned. Responsible for ordering all materials needed in die repair, steel, springs, punches, buttons, etc. Responsible for keeping extra punches, buttons and inserts on hand. Responsible for keeping up-to-date records on all dies in production. Help stamping department as requested by Tool Room Supervisor and assists in quick change tooling efforts.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added at the company's discretion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must demonstrate tool-making skills necessary to diagnose, analyze, and recommend solutions and modifications for tooling concerns.
• Will need to have exceptional planning, estimating, shop math, blue prints, and advanced GD&T skills.
• Need to have both CAD and CAM skills for design, development, and mapping of details and tooling.
• Must be able to utilize all precision measuring equipment, up to and including CMM, calipers, micrometers, and gauges.
• Must have excellent communication skills and be a contributing part of the team.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to moderate cold and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Dowding Industries, Inc. Offers a Competitive Total Compensation Package

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage (including spouse or domestic partner and children)
• Medical flexible spending account
• Life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability
• 401(k) retirement program
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays

Dowding Industries Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity in all aspects of employment. We encourage qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.