Tool Maker

Smith-; Maryville (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith- is seeking an experienced Tool Maker to create tooling from engineering drawings using surface grinding, CNC, wire EDM, and related equipment. This role involves shaping parts with lathes, milling machines, and jig grinders, while ensuring high quality and tight tolerances.

You will read blueprints, sharpen tooling, maintain tool stock, and support mold making efforts. Collaboration with engineering and mold shops is required to refine prototypes and dies.

Qualifications

• Math strengths: basic arithmetic, fractions, decimals, and interpreting graphs.
• Able to read and interpret engineering blueprints.
• Reading and understanding English clearly.
• Basic computer skills are preferred.
• Experience with injection molding tooling is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Read engineering drawings and mark out designs on raw materials.
• Cut into shape using manual tools and CNC where required.
• Read blueprints and modify tooling for new or old job prints.
• Sharpen tools and maintain tool holders.
• Set up and operate tool room equipment.
• Troubleshoot machining processes and assist engineering.
• Create proto-type tooling and parts in collaboration with engineering.

Skills

Math proficiency

Blueprint reading

Algebra & Geometry

Hydraulic systems

Basic computer skills

Injection molding tooling

English literacy

CNC machining

Lathes

Milling machines

Grinding machines

Jig grinders

Tools

CNC

Surface grinder

Wire EDM

RO grinders

Jig grinders

Die making tooling

Lathe

Milling machines

Job description

Use appropriate equipment such as surface grinder, CNC, wire EDM, RO GRINDERS, and equipment to create and make tooling to match part drawings. With the proper equipment have the ability to create angles, radius, on all tooling to create a high quality, tight tolerance parts. These duties are to be performed within quality and production standards.

Education and Experience:

• Years of experience required varies based on Tool Maker I, II, or II

Competencies and Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to interpret bar graphs. Good working knowledge of Algebra and Geometry.
• Knowledge of hydraulic and air clamping systems a plus
• Must be able to read, write and interpret English language
• Basic computer skills preferred
• Injection molding tooling experience preferred

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work from engineering drawings to mark out design on raw materials; cutting into shape using manually controlled machine tools (such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, jig borers and jig grinders) along with hand tools. Some tasks may be required to be completed utilizing CNC machines and operator performed programming
• Read blueprints and use necessary measuring devices to make, or modify existing tooling, tools for new or old job prints
• Make sure tools are sharpened and tool holders in good working condition before being placed back on shelf or in tool drawers. Repair or requisition replacement parts, tooling or hardware as needed to maintain adequate stock
• Will be required to make Die Making items and maintain existing dies; this could include punches, dies, steel rule dies and die sets
• Assist production areas in troubleshooting machining processes and equipment problem
• Work closely with engineering in creating proto-type tooling and parts
• Check tooling in and out of tool room computer
• Set-up and operate all tool room
• Utilize hydraulic and air clamping systems on occasion
• Must be able to understand and perform to quality standards, methods, usage of inspection devices and reporting as required
• Perform specialty operations as requested by mold makers and tool management (EDM, Bridgeport, grinding, polishing, etc)
• Help fine-tune molds based on feedback from molding department and requests from mold makers
• Repair molds based on feedback from molding department
• Change mold versions

NOTE: This list presents only the principal duties of the position and is not intended to be comprehensive. The duties and responsibilities listed above may be changed or supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Physical Demands:

• Works in a manufacturing environment
• Able to lift and move up to 55 pounds occasionally
• Able to stand, sit, stoop, squat and walk

NOTE: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

W ork Environment and Personal Protective Equipment:

Within any of our facilities, employees may be exposed to manufacturing noise, airborne liquid chemicals, fine particulate dust, ambient temperatures, and industrial lighting. Work environment is similar to most manufacturing and distribution operations. May be exposed to excessive noise, temperatures, hazards associated with working around moving machinery, work in confined quarters, exposure to vibrations and shop lighting, continuous exposure to hot temperatures, may be humid, odors, dust, continuous exposure to mechanical hazards, and occasional exposure to chemical hazards.

The following Personal Protective Equipment is required: Safety glasses with side shields and hearing protection required when on manufacturing floor. The use of additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required when a job task(s) is being completed in or around your assigned department or in another department, this includes safety eyewear, hearing protection, and safety footwear.

Updated 9/21/2026

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