Tool Maker

SWPC; Maryville, Northern (TN, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

SWPC is seeking a Tool Maker to fabricate tooling from engineering drawings using manual and CNC machines, including lathes, mills and grinders. The role requires reading blueprints, maintaining tooling quality, and collaborating with engineering on prototype tooling.

The candidate should have basic math skills, English literacy, and be familiar with measurement instruments. Injection molding tooling experience is preferred and safety PPE is required in a manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Proficiency in reading and applying engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Ability to perform precise math calculations including rate, ratio and percent.
• Basic computer skills and ability to use measurement instruments.
• Injection molding tooling experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Set up and operate tool room equipment from drawings (lathes, milling, grinders, jig borers).
• Read blueprints and prepare/modify tooling for new/old prints.
• Maintain sharp tools and good tool holders; requisition replacements as needed.
• Make die making items and maintain dies (punches, dies, steel rule dies).
• Troubleshoot machining processes and assist production areas.
• Collaborate with engineering to create proto-type tooling and parts.
• Check tooling in and out of tool room computer.
• Set-up and operate all tool room equipment.
• Use hydraulic and air clamping systems as required.
• Understand and perform to quality standards and inspection procedures.
• Perform EDM, Bridgeport, grinding, polishing and other specialty operations.

Skills

Mathematics

Blueprint reading

English literacy

Measuring devices use

Tools

CNC machining

Grinding machines

Die making

Hydraulic & air clamping

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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