Tool Maker - Senior Carbide Tool Maker

Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 55,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision coverage

401(k) plan with employer contribution

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Sick time

Wellness programs

Technical growth opportunities

Job summary

Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners in Chandler, Arizona, is seeking an experienced Senior Carbide Tool Maker for a hands-on toolroom role focused on manufacturing, grinding, modifying, repairing, and troubleshooting carbide and hardened-steel tooling used in aerospace fastener production.

The ideal candidate will independently manufacture and inspect precision tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch, work from blueprints, and support hot- and cold-heading operations, collaborating with

Qualifications

• 5+ years hands-on experience in tool making or precision grinding.
• Senior-level capability in manual toolmaking and grinding.
• Experience with carbide tooling and hot- or cold-heading operations.
• Ability to meet tolerances to 0.0001 inch.
• Strong blueprint interpretation and GD&T knowledge.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Manufacture, grind, modify, sharpen, repair, and maintain carbide and hardened-steel tooling.
• Perform precision grinding using manual grinders and toolroom equipment.
• Produce and inspect tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch.
• Build, repair, and rework dies and other precision production tooling.
• Work from blueprints, engineering drawings, dimensions, specifications, existing tooling, and samples.
• Independently set up and operate surface grinders, manual lathes and related toolroom equipment.
• Use micrometers, indicators, height gauges, optical comparators, calipers, and other precision inspection equipment.
• Inspect tooling for dimensional accuracy, geometry, fit, finish, and function.
• Troubleshoot worn or damaged tooling and determine repair or rework actions.
• Support tooling for hot- and cold-heading/forging operations in aerospace.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to resolve tooling issues.
• Suggest improvements to tool geometry, materials, and methods to extend tool life.

Skills

Hands-on toolmaking

Senior-level grinding

Blueprint reading

GD&T knowledge

Troubleshooting tooling

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Manual grinders

Manual lathes

Surface grinders

Micrometers

Height gauges

Optical comparators

Calipers

Job description

Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners is seeking an experienced Senior Carbide Tool Maker for our manufacturing facility in Chandler, Arizona.

This is a highly skilled, hands-on manual toolroom position focused on manufacturing, grinding, modifying, repairing, and troubleshooting carbide and hardened-steel tooling used in aerospace fastener production.

The ideal candidate is an experienced manual toolmaker or precision grinder who can independently manufacture, repair, and inspect precision tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch.

If your background is in carbide tooling, tool & die, tool and cutter grinding, precision grinding, or manual precision toolmaking, we want to speak with you.

What You’ll Do

• Manufacture, grind, modify, sharpen, repair, and maintain precision carbide and hardened-steel tooling
• Perform precision grinding using manual grinders and toolroom equipment
• Produce and inspect tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch
• Build, repair, and rework dies and other precision production tooling
• Work from blueprints, engineering drawings, dimensions, specifications, existing tooling, and physical samples
• Independently set up and operate manual toolroom equipment, including:
• Surface grinders
• Manual lathes
• Other related toolroom machinery
• Use micrometers, indicators, height gauges, optical comparators, calipers, and other precision inspection equipment
• Inspect completed tooling for dimensional accuracy, geometry, fit, finish, and function
• Troubleshoot worn, damaged, or underperforming tooling and determine the appropriate repair, rework, or dimensional correction
• Perform tool sharpening, fitting, polishing, and precision reworking
• Support precision tooling used in hot- and cold-heading/forging operations for aerospace fastener manufacturing
• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Production to solve tooling and manufacturing problems
• Recommend improvements to tool geometry, materials, design, and manufacturing methods to improve tool life and production performance
• Support urgent tooling repairs when necessary to minimize production downtime

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience preferred in tool making, tool & die, carbide tooling, precision grinding, or a closely related precision manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated senior-level capability in manual precision toolmaking and grinding
• Hands-on experience manufacturing, repairing, or reworking tooling used in hot- or cold-heading/forging operations
• Experience machining and/or grinding carbide, hardened tool steel, or similar tooling materials
• Demonstrated ability to manufacture, repair, and troubleshoot precision tooling
• Ability to consistently work to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch
• Ability to independently set up and operate manual grinders, mills, and lathes
• Strong blueprint and engineering drawing interpretation skills
• Proficiency using precision measuring and inspection equipment
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Strong shop math, geometry, and trigonometry skills
• Strong understanding of tool geometry, dimensional relationships, tolerances, and precision fit
• Ability to diagnose tooling problems and determine appropriate corrective action
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• High school diploma or equivalent

We are looking for an experienced hands-on toolmaker with strong carbide and precision grinding capability, mechanical aptitude, problem-solving ability, and pride in craftsmanship.

Candidates with backgrounds as a Carbide Tool Maker, Tool & Die Maker, Tool and Cutter Grinder, Precision Grinder, or Manual Precision Toolmaker are encouraged to apply.

The Person Who Will Be Successful Here

You understand how precision tooling works and how it performs in a production environment.

You can take a drawing, worn tool, sample, or tooling requirement and determine how to manufacture, repair, or restore it. You know how to select the appropriate machining or grinding approach, make precision setups, measure your work, make corrections, and deliver a finished tool that performs correctly in production.

You take pride in precision craftsmanship and are comfortable being the person others turn to when a difficult tooling problem needs to be solved.

• $40.00–$45.00 per hour, based on experience and qualifications
• Full-time position
• Medical, dental, vision, ltd, std, life insurance, critical illness and accident.
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Sick time
• Employee wellness and recognition programs
• Long-term technical growth opportunities
• Opportunity to serve as a senior technical resource and mentor within the toolroom

About Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners

Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners manufactures high-performance fasteners and precision-machined components for the aerospace and defense industries.

Our tooling directly supports demanding aerospace manufacturing operations, including forging, thread rolling, machining, and grinding. We are looking for an experienced toolmaker who values precision, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and ownership of their work.