Toolmaker/Precision Machinist

Chemring Energetic Devices; Downers Grove (IL); On-site; GBP 31,955 - 40,202; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid time off

401(k) with company match

Life insurance

Tuition assistance

Parental leave

Adoption assistance

Job summary

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is seeking a skilled Toolmaker/Precision Machinist to design and deliver tooling and manufacturing solutions for the shop and development projects. You will interpret CAD drawings, program CNC machines, and work with tungsten carbide materials, ensuring tight tolerances and quality.

This role requires a formal apprenticeship or NIMS certification and 5–10 years in manufacturing, preferably aerospace/defense.

Qualifications

• Formal apprenticeship or NIMS certificate.
• 5–10 years in a manufacturing environment (aerospace/defense or prototype).
• Working knowledge of GD&T.
• Lawful U.S. Person (ITAR restrictions) and eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act.
• Experience with various tool room machinery (manual lathes, mills, grinders, CNCs, EDM).

Responsibilities

• Interpret and machine parts from CAD drawings, hand sketches, and verbal instructions.
• Collaborate on prototyping and design changes with team members.
• Check work using precision measuring tools (micrometers, dial indicators, gage blocks, etc.).
• Machine parts on toolroom lathes, milling machines, grinders, and saws.
• Surface grind tungsten carbide and refractory materials.
• Work with operators to sharpen/modify production tooling.
• Program, set up, and run CNC vertical machining centers and CNC lathes for development and short runs.
• Program, set up, and run CNC wire EDM (WEDM) for development and short runs.
• Program, set up, and run EDM (hole pop) for development or production.
• Set up and debug punch presses (small dies).
• Grind, sharpen, modify, and repair punches and dies for small jobs.
• Build and repair jigs and fixtures from prints or verbal instructions.

Skills

GD&T

Tooling experience

Machining experience

Education

Formal apprenticeship certificate

NIMS certificate

Tools

Manual lathe

Manual mill

Grinders

CNC machinery

Electrical discharge machines (EDM)

WEDM

CNC lathe

Job description

As Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) celebrates 50 years of building products that protect our country, protect the individual warfighter, and send rockets into outer space, our growth is creating new opportunities to expand our team with talented individuals who want to shape the next era of mission‑critical innovation. CED is well situated in Downers Grove, Illinois – a commuter train ride west of Chicago and a short drive from farmland. The current salary range for this role is $30.50 to $39.50 per hour. Compensation may vary based on education, skills, experience, and other factors. In addition to base salary, the total compensation package may include participation in a bonus, commission, or incentive program. CED offers medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid time off; disability insurance; 401(k) with company match; life insurance; and additional voluntary supplemental insurance, parental leave, adoption assistance, tuition assistance, and employer/partner discounts. CED follows a 9/80 work schedule allowing employees to enjoy alternating Fridays off.

Job Summary

The Toolmaker/Precision Machinist is responsible for providing innovative tooling and manufacturing solutions for the various departments at CED.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Interpret and machine parts from engineering (CAD) drawings, hand sketches, and verbal instructions
• Collaborate with team members and stakeholders on prototyping and design changes
• Check work using precision measuring tools & equipment – e.g. micrometer, dial indicator, bore gages, thread gages, gage blocks, height gages, optical comparator
• Manual machining of parts – e.g. toolroom lathe, milling machine, drill press, saws, pedestal grinder
• Surface grinding with the ability to dress angles and radii on wheels
• Surface grinding of tungsten carbide and refractory materials
• Work with machine operators to supply sharpening/modification of production tooling using grinders or by hand
• Program, set up, & run CNC vertical machining center and CNC toolroom lathe for product development and short production runs
• Program, set up, & run CNC wire electrical discharge machine (WEDM) for product development and short production runs
• Program, set up, & run CNC Hole Drilling EDM (hole pop)
• Perform punch press set‑up and debug (small single‑station dies with low volume)
• Grind, sharpen, modify, and repair punches & dies for small single‑station punch press jobs
• Build & repair special jigs and fixtures with prints or verbal instructions

Other Job Functions

• Follow all company policies and procedures.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned by leadership.
• Comply with government and corporate laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Supervisory Responsibility

N/A

Education

• Formal apprenticeship certificate or NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) certificate

Experience

• 5 to 10 years in a manufacturing environment, machinist experience (aerospace/defense or prototype)

SKILLS And QUALIFICATIONS

• Lawful U.S. Person (ITAR restrictions)
• Must be eligible to possess explosives under the Safe Explosives Act of 2003 (as amended) as required by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) for all employees of Chemring Energetic Devices
• Experience and training in a variety of tool room machinery (manual lathes, manual mills, grinders, CNC machinery, and electrical discharge machines).
• Working knowledge of GD&T

Physical And Other Requirements

Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, or otherwise moving objects weighing up to 25–40 pounds occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of weight frequently. Involves prolonged periods of standing, walking, bending, and stretching.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential job functions of this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Employees will be expected to perform other job functions and duties as may be needed and/or required.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Chemring Energetic Devices (CED) is an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. The “Know Your Rights” Poster is available here: EEOC Know Your Rights. CED’s EEO Policy Statement is available here: CED EEO Policy Statement. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to Human Resources at [e-mail] or call 630‑969‑0620 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.