Job Description

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Tool & Die Maker Location: Michigan City, Indiana Position Summary The Tool & Die Maker serves as the technical backbone of the plant's tooling infrastructure; designing, fabricating, maintaining, and repairing the precision tooling, fixtures, dies, and production nests that keep manufacturing operations running at peak efficiency. This role operates at the intersection of engineering and the shop floor, functioning either as the originating design authority for new tooling or as the skilled executor of tooling orders issued by the Engineering or Process departments. The Tool & Die Maker leverages advanced CNC machining (Haas), Mastercam CAM programming, lathe operations, and additive manufacturing (3D printing) to deliver tooling solutions with speed and precision. This position reports directly to the Operations Manager. Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Tooling Design & Fabrication o CNC Machining & CAM Programming: Program and operate Haas CNC machining centers using Mastercam software to produce precision tooling components from raw stock. Generate, verify, and optimize toolpaths to maximize accuracy, minimize cycle time, and extend tool life. o Lathe & Manual Machining Operations: Set up and operate manual and CNC lathes to produce turned components, perform facing, boring, threading, and finishing operations to tight dimensional tolerances. o 3D Modeling & Additive Manufacturing: Develop 3D models for tooling components, production nests, and fixturing using CAD/CAM software. Leverage in-house 3D printing capabilities to prototype, qualify, and produce functional tooling elements that reduce lead time and material costs. o Design Authority (when applicable): When assigned as design-responsible, independently develop tooling concepts from requirements through final design; accounting for material selection, tolerancing, manufacturability, and production repeatability. Document designs and maintain revision-controlled drawings. o Execution of Engineering & Process Orders: When operating in an execution role, translate tooling orders from Engineering or the Process department into fabricated, qualified tooling — raising design concerns or change requests through proper channels when specifications are unclear or impractical. • Shop Floor Tooling Support & Maintenance o Reactive Tooling Response: Serve as the primary responder to tooling failures impacting active production lines. Diagnose root causes rapidly, implement interim fixes as needed, and deliver permanent repairs that restore full tooling performance. o Tooling Maintenance Program: Execute a structured preventive maintenance schedule for all dies, fixtures, jigs, nests, and gauges. Monitor wear patterns, track tool life cycles, and proactively recommend replacement or refurbishment before failures occur. o Tooling Modification & Rework: Perform engineering change-driven tooling modifications and process-improvement-driven reworks, ensuring that updated tooling is properly documented and validated before re-release to production. o Tooling Records & Documentation: Maintain accurate, up-to-date tooling records including inspection logs, repair history, revision status, and preventive maintenance intervals. Ensure all documentation supports traceability and quality audits. • Process Improvement & New Tooling Qualification o Continuous Improvement Participation: Identify and champion opportunities to improve tool life, performance, and production efficiency. Collaborate with Process Engineers to validate that tooling modifications positively impact yield, cycle time, or quality outcomes before full deployment. o New Product Launch Support: Partner with Engineering and Operations during new product introduction to design, build, prove-out, and qualify production tooling. Ensure tooling is validated against dimensional specifications and production rate expectations prior to SOP (Start of Production). o 3D Print Integration: Actively drive adoption of additive manufacturing for tooling applications - evaluating which tooling candidates are suitable for printed production nests, locating fixtures, or prototype tooling to reduce cost and accelerate delivery. Supervisory Responsibilities • This is an individual contributor role with significant cross-functional influence. The position does not carry direct reports but is expected to function as the technical authority on tooling matters - guiding production operators, team leads, and process personnel on correct tool usage, handling, and maintenance practices. Required Qualifications • Education and/or Experience o Education: High school diploma or GED required. Completion of a Tool & Die apprenticeship program, technical certificate (CNC/Machining), or AAS in Manufacturing Technology strongly preferred. o Experience: 3–7+ years of hands-on experience as a Tool Maker, Tool & Die Maker, or Machinist in a production manufacturing environment. • Experience in automotive, commercial vehicle, or industrial component manufacturing preferred. • Technical & Professional Competencies o CNC & CAM Proficiency: Ability to program, set up, and run Haas CNC mills using Mastercam; interpret GD&T and engineering drawings; select appropriate tooling, speeds, and feeds for varied materials. o Additive Manufacturing: Working knowledge of 3D printing technologies (FDM preferred), slicing software, and design-for-print principles as applied to functional tooling components. o Manual Machining: Proficiency with manual lathe operations and general bench work (fitting, grinding, polishing, assembly of tooling subcomponents). o Problem Solving: Ability to diagnose tooling failures under time pressure, weigh repair vs. replace decisions, and execute solutions that minimize production downtime. o Blueprint Reading & Metrology: Skilled in reading and interpreting engineering drawings and GD&T callouts; proficient with precision measurement instruments (micrometers, calipers, CMM awareness). • Communication & Collaboration: Clear verbal communication with production supervisors, team leads, and engineering staff; ability to document work completed and escalate design or process concerns effectively. • Adaptability: Comfortable shifting priorities dynamically to address urgent production tooling failures while maintaining progress on scheduled fabrication work. Physical Requirements • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Active Shop Presence: The majority of this role is performed standing and moving within the tool room and production floor environment (over 2/3 of time). • Manual Dexterity: Constant use of hands for precision machining operations, tool handling, measurement, and bench work (over 2/3 of time). • Lifting Requirements: Regularly required to lift tooling components up to 25 lbs.; occasionally required to lift up to 50 lbs. with assistance for heavier die sets and fixture assemblies. • Visual Acuity: Close vision required for precision measurement and CNC setup verification; depth perception and ability to adjust focus critical for machining and inspection tasks; color vision required for material identification and process coding. • Environmental Exposure: Regularly works near moving mechanical parts; occasional exposure to fumes or airborne particles (cutting fluids, machining dust); vibration exposure from machining operations; moderate-to-loud noise levels typical of a machine shop environment.

CVG IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) is an equal employment opportunity employer such that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

Visa Sponsorship

Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc (CVG) does provide sponsorship for employment visa status based on business need. However, for this role, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the country of the job posting location on a full-time basis.

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