Tool & Die Technician - Casting

Magna International; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

Magna International is seeking skilled Tool & Die technicians to support die casting tooling, maintenance, and tooling repair. You will interpret drawings, perform welding and precision machining, and uphold safety standards in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

You will diagnose tooling issues, execute preventive maintenance, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve tooling life and product quality. A strong emphasis on 5S and continuous improvement is required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; technical college preferred.
• Associate degree in Tool & Die Technology or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years hands-on Tool & Die experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment; die casting preferred.
• Journeyman certification preferred; CAD/Blueprint reading experience beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Follow safety policies including LOTO and 5S practices.
• Support Magna’s philosophies and operational principles.
• Perform maintenance on dies, molds, fixtures, and tooling to ensure reliability and quality.
• Troubleshoot and repair tooling issues during production and scheduled maintenance.
• Die changes, startups, and new tooling trials per technical specifications.
• Modify tooling to incorporate engineering changes and improve manufacturability.
• Interpret engineering drawings and CAD data to perform repairs and fabrication.
• Set up and operate tool room equipment and perform precision machining.
• Perform TIG, MIG, and Arc welding and related fabrication work.
• Inspect repaired or manufactured tooling to meet specifications and tolerances.
• Install and maintain tooling systems including hydraulic and pneumatic components.
• Operate forklifts and overhead cranes during tooling handling.
• Support production by addressing tooling issues and root causes.

Skills

Aluminum die casting

Tooling setup & repair

Manual tooling equipment

Engineering drawings interpretation

TIG welding

Arc welding

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Forklift certification

Overhead crane experience

Basic computer skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate degree in Tool & Die Technology or related

3+ years hands-on tool & die experience

Tools

CAD/Blueprint reading

Shop math

CNC or EDM knowledge

Job description

Job descriptions may display in multiple languagesbased on your language selection.

What we offer:

At Magna, you can expect an engaging and dynamic environment where you can help to develop industry-leading automotive technologies. We invest in our employees, providing them with the support and resources they need to succeed. As a member of our global team, you can expect exciting, varied responsibilities as well as a wide range of development prospects. Because we believe that your career path should be as unique as you are.

Group Summary:

Cosma provides a comprehensive range of body, chassis and engineering solutions to global customers. Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process expertise, we continue to bring lightweight and innovative products to market.

Job Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITIONS:

• Follow and enforce all plant safety, environmental, and housekeeping (5S) policies and procedures, including strict compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements and safe material handling practices.
• Understand, support, and promote Magna’s philosophies, including the Magna Operational Principles, Corporate Constitution, and Employee’s Charter.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on dies, molds, trim dies, fixtures, and auxiliary tooling to ensure maximum equipment reliability, product quality, and production efficiency.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and optimize tooling issues during production and scheduled maintenance, both in and out of the die casting machines, minimizing downtime and supporting production requirements.
• Perform die changes, startups, shutdowns, and new tooling tryouts while ensuring proper setup, alignment, and functionality up to technical specifications (Technical Manual).
• Modify dies, tooling, fixtures, and related equipment to incorporate engineering changes, improve manufacturability, increase tool life, reduce scrap, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, blueprints, GD&T, sketches, specifications, and technical manuals to perform tooling repairs, fabrication, and precision machining.
• Set up and operate tool room equipment including manual lathes, milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, band saws, pedestal grinders, and precision measuring equipment.
• Perform TIG, MIG, and Arc welding, heat treatment, machining, polishing, fitting, grinding, and bench work required for tooling repair and fabrication.
• Inspect and verify repaired or newly manufactured tooling using precision measuring instruments to ensure compliance with engineering specifications, tolerances, clearances, alignments, and quality standards.
• Install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain tooling systems including hydraulic, pneumatic, cooling, lubrication, and mechanical components associated with die casting tooling.
• Safely operate forklifts, overhead cranes, hoists, and rigging equipment during die handling, installation, maintenance, and transportation.
• Support Die Casting Operations by responding quickly to production issues, identifying root causes of tooling failures, and implementing permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM, SMED, and waste reduction initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, equipment reliability, and tooling performance.
• Analyze tooling wear patterns and recommend preventive actions, design improvements, replacement schedules, and spare parts inventory requirements to maximize tooling life.
• Maintain accurate preventive maintenance records, tooling history, repair documentation, engineering changes, and maintenance reports within the company’s maintenance management system.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, control plans, PFMEA requirements, work instructions, and customer-specific requirements while producing high-quality tooling and components.
• Train, mentor, and support operators, apprentices, and new employees on tooling operation, troubleshooting, safe work practices, quality requirements, and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Process Engineering, and suppliers to resolve tooling issues, support new product launches, and improve manufacturing performance.
• Recommend tooling design improvements, equipment modifications, cost reduction opportunities, and process enhancements to improve safety, quality, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready tool room through effective 5S practices and proper care of company tools, equipment, and measuring devices.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

SKILL (Ability to do the job)

• Strong knowledge of aluminum die casting processes, trim die operations, and tooling functions.
• Ability to set up, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and restore tooling to original specifications.
• Proficient in operating manual tool room equipment, precision measuring instruments, and machine shop equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, CAD data, and technical documentation.
• Experience performing TIG and Arc welding for tooling repair and modification.
• Skilled in sanding, polishing, stoning, highlighting, and correcting tooling surface conditions to meet customer quality requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for tooling and press-related issues, including identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and tooling restoration techniques.
• Forklift certification and overhead crane experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Core Competencies

• Strong mechanical aptitude with excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while making sound technical decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with strong attention to detail.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams.

• Willingness to adapt to changing priorities, learn new technologies, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.

• Ability to perform manual work, including lifting and handling heavy tooling components safely.

• Willingness to work overtime, flexible schedules, and a rotating 2-2-3 shift schedule as required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  Some of the physical demands of this position include lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Moving toolboxes around and lifting and standing for extended periods of time.

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• EQUIPMENT / TOOLS USED

KNOWLEDGE

EDUCATION: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required: 2-year from a technical college or minimum 5 years experience in a heavy industrial manufacturing facility

• Associate degree (2-year) in Tool & Die Technology, Machining, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of hands on experience as a Tool & Die Technician, Toolmaker, or equivalent position in a high-volume manufacturing environment; die casting experience preferred.
• Experience with aluminum trim dies, die setup, die repair, and steel entry standards is preferred.

TECHNICAL TRAINING:

OTHER: Journeyman certification is preferred: general knowledge of troubleshooting, materials and methods, machines and tools, and practical application of engineering science. Computer knowledge and CNC or EDM and Tig welding but not required; CAD/Blueprint reading and shop math; die building experience is a plus, but not necessary. Basic knowledge in automation.

WORK EXPERIENCE

WHAT TYPES? Tool & Die background in a manufacturing environment; journeyman experience preferred, job shop, hands on; Die Casting background. Welding experience, die construction, basic machining (milling, grinding, turning), sharpening cutting edges, reworking form steels, tig welding, mig welding, arc welding

HOW MUCH? Minimum 4 years

Awareness, Unity, Empowerment:

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

AI-Assisted Screening Disclosure

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

Under conditions defined by applicable law, you may have the right to request an explanation of how AI is used to support decision-making.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.

Worker Type:

Regular / Permanent

Group:

Cosma International