Tooling Technician

PDS Tech Commercial, Inc.; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 37,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) plan

Paid time off

On-site parking

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial, Inc. in Kinston, NC is seeking a Tooling Technician to maintain, repair, calibrate, and improve tooling used in aerostructure production.

This hands‑on role supports precision jigs, molds, fixtures, and lay‑up tools to ensure quality and reliability on the production floor. You will troubleshoot issues, perform preventive maintenance, and collaborate with engineering and vendors to develop effective solutions.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED or WorkKeys Assessment completion.
• 3+ years of aerospace tooling or precision machining experience.
• Experience working with and interpreting GD&T blueprints.
• Experience with precision tooling, jigs, molds, or fixtures.
• Experience with laser trackers, overhead gantry cranes, and hydraulic systems.
• Basic proficiency with a variety of hand and power tools.
• Ability to read and work from blueprints, layouts, drawings, and technical instructions.
• Knowledge of workplace safety and quality requirements, including FOD and clean‑as‑you‑go practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to meet applicable U.S. person/ITAR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Dismantle, move, assemble, install, and repair industrial machinery and equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, drawings, specifications, and verbal instructions.
• Maintain, repair, and support the calibration of precision jigs, molds, fixtures, and tooling used in aerostructure manufacturing.
• Rework and maintain tools made from a variety of materials.
• Repair and build lay‑up tools used in the production environment.
• Dismantle machinery and equipment using hand tools such as hammers, wrenches, and crowbars.
• Move machinery and equipment using hoists, dollies, rollers, trucks, and overhead gantry cranes, as appropriate.
• Assemble and install equipment such as conveyors and tram rails using hand and power tools.
• Construct foundations, align machinery, and perform scheduled inspections and maintenance.
• Set up and operate machine tools and fabrication machinery to rework existing parts or manufacture new components.
• Perform root cause analysis to support reliability and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with vendors, engineering, team leaders, customers, other skilled trades, and management to troubleshoot equipment issues and develop corrective actions.
• Perform routine minor machine and tooling maintenance, including changing filters, maintaining lubrication and coolant levels, and completing other basic preventive maintenance tasks.
• Follow established safety, quality, FOD, clean‑as‑you‑go, and OSHA practices throughout all work activities.
• Accurately document work and retrieve technical information using applicable computer systems.

Skills

Aerospace tooling

GD&T blueprints

Hand & power tools

Blueprint reading

Root cause analysis

Education

High School Diploma/GED

Tools

Laser trackers

Overhead gantry cranes

Hydraulic systems

Microsoft Excel

SAP

Job description

Tooling Technician | Build, Repair & Perfect the Tools Behind Modern Aviation

Location: Kinston, NC 28504 | On-site

Job Type: Full-Time, Contract

Schedule: Monday–Friday

Pay Rate: $32.14/hour

PDS Tech Commercial is partnering with a leader in the aviation industry to find an experienced Tooling Technician ready to put their precision, mechanical expertise, and problem-solving skills to work.

In this hands‑on role, you'll maintain, repair, calibrate, and improve the specialized tooling that supports advanced aerostructure production. From precision jigs and molds to fixtures and lay‑up tools, your work will directly contribute to the quality, accuracy, and reliability of aircraft manufacturing operations.

Your Impact

As a Tooling Technician, you'll help ensure critical manufacturing tools and equipment remain accurate, reliable, and ready for production.

You'll troubleshoot tooling issues, perform repairs and preventive maintenance, support root cause analysis, and collaborate with engineering, vendors, leadership, and other technical teams to develop effective solutions.

If you enjoy working with your hands, solving complex mechanical problems, and seeing the direct impact of your craftsmanship, this is an opportunity to bring those skills into the aviation industry.

What You'll Do

Your Day-to-day Responsibilities Will Include

• Dismantle, move, assemble, install, and repair industrial machinery and equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, drawings, specifications, and verbal instructions.
• Maintain, repair, and support the calibration of precision jigs, molds, fixtures, and tooling used in aerostructure manufacturing.
• Rework and maintain tools made from a variety of materials.
• Repair and build lay‑up tools used in the production environment.
• Dismantle machinery and equipment using hand tools such as hammers, wrenches, and crowbars.
• Move machinery and equipment using hoists, dollies, rollers, trucks, and overhead gantry cranes, as appropriate.
• Assemble and install equipment such as conveyors and tram rails using hand and power tools.
• Construct foundations, align machinery, and perform scheduled inspections and maintenance.
• Set up and operate machine tools and fabrication machinery to rework existing parts or manufacture new components.
• Perform root cause analysis to support reliability and continuous improvement efforts.
• Collaborate with vendors, engineering, team leaders, customers, other skilled trades, and management to troubleshoot equipment issues and develop corrective actions.
• Perform routine minor machine and tooling maintenance, including changing filters, maintaining lubrication and coolant levels, and completing other basic preventive maintenance tasks.
• Follow established safety, quality, FOD, clean‑as‑you‑go, and OSHA practices throughout all work activities.
• Accurately document work and retrieve technical information using applicable computer systems.

Required Qualifications

We're looking for candidates who bring:

• High School Diploma/GED or WorkKeys Assessment completion
• 3+ years of aerospace tooling or precision machining experience
• Experience working with and interpreting GD&T blueprints
• Experience with precision tooling, jigs, molds, or fixtures
• Experience with laser trackers, overhead gantry cranes, and hydraulic systems
• Basic proficiency with a variety of hand and power tools
• Ability to read and work from blueprints, layouts, drawings, and technical instructions
• Knowledge of workplace safety and quality requirements, including FOD and clean‑as‑you‑go practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Ability to clearly communicate complex technical issues
• Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive information
• Ability to meet applicable U.S. person/ITAR requirements

Candidates must also be able to successfully complete required post‑recruitment training, including:

• Health & Safety
• General Aircraft Familiarization
• Quality Training

Preferred Qualifications

You’ll stand out if you also have:

• Vocational or technical school training related to industrial machinery, tooling, machining, or equipment maintenance
• Previous employer‑provided training in the dismantling, moving, installation, and repair of industrial machinery and equipment
• Strong experience repairing or fabricating aerospace tooling
• Experience using computerized systems to enter, generate, and retrieve technical information
• Working knowledge of SAP and Microsoft Excel
• Experience supporting tooling reliability, root cause analysis, and corrective action initiatives

Why Join Us?

At PDS Tech Commercial, we connect talented technical professionals with opportunities to contribute their skills to innovative industries and challenging projects.

Here’s What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

Your craftsmanship matters.

The tools you maintain and repair help determine the precision and quality of the components being manufactured. Your work has a direct connection to the production floor.

Work in the aviation industry.

Apply your tooling and machining expertise in an advanced manufacturing environment supporting sophisticated aerostructure production.

Put Your Problem-solving Skills To Work.

You’ll do more than routine maintenance. You’ll troubleshoot issues, support root cause analysis, collaborate with technical teams, and help develop lasting solutions.

Expand your technical expertise.

Gain additional hands‑on experience with precision tooling, GD&T, laser tracking, hydraulic systems, fabrication equipment, machinery, and aerospace manufacturing processes.

Join a culture focused on teamwork and quality.

Work alongside skilled professionals who value safety, precision, collaboration, accountability, and getting the job done right.

Access Competitive Benefits.

Eligible PDS Tech Commercial employees may have access to benefits and resources based on applicable eligibility requirements and plan terms.

Ready to Put Your Precision Skills to Work?

This position requires use of information or access to facilities subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). These regulations may limit access of controlled technologies: 1) to U.S. Persons, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and other narrow categories including refugees and asylees, or 2) to certain foreign nationals that have received an export license.

Pay Details:

$32.14 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

Requirements

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.