Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Tool Maker in Anderson, IN. This is a hands-on tool room position supporting a growing manufacturing operation that produces machined components for heavy-duty and commercial vehicle applications. The ideal candidate will have toolmaking, die making, or tool repair experience, with strong knowledge of jigs, fixtures, workholding, manual and CNC machinery, and precision measurement. This role will focus on building, repairing, and modifying the tooling and fixtures required to support production rather than producing the finished parts themselves. The successful candidate will be comfortable working independently, managing multiple projects, and supporting production through timely tooling repairs, installations, and changeovers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build, repair, modify, and maintain tooling, jigs, fixtures, and workholding equipment used to support CNC manufacturing operations.
• Build fixtures and assembly equipment according to engineering drawings and specifications.
• Design and fabricate new jigs, fixtures, and tooling to support production requirements.
• Repair existing tooling and fixtures to minimize production downtime.
• Modify tooling and workholding solutions as manufacturing requirements change.
• Perform necessary machining and fabrication operations to complete tooling projects.
• Operate manual and CNC machinery, including manual lathes, mills, drill presses, and related machine shop equipment.
• Utilize machining equipment and hand tools to fabricate precision tooling components.
• Use G-code and CAM software to support tooling design and machining activities.
• Utilize MasterCAM for tooling and fixture programming and development.
• Read and interpret engineering prints, drawings, and specifications.
• Perform quality checks on completed tooling using micrometers, calipers, depth gauges, and other precision measuring equipment.
• Verify tooling dimensions and ensure finished components meet required specifications.
• Create Bills of Materials (BOMs) for tooling and fixture orders.
• Track assigned projects using the company's project board.
• Manage multiple tooling projects simultaneously, potentially working on up to five projects at a time.
• Prioritize tooling repairs, installations, and changeovers based on production requirements.
• Perform tooling installations and modifications to support CNC production.
• Work closely with Production and other manufacturing personnel to identify tooling and workholding needs.
• Support timely repair and installation of tooling to minimize equipment downtime.
• Assist with changeovers and ensure tooling is available when needed.
• Troubleshoot tooling, fixture, and workholding issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve existing tooling and manufacturing support processes.
• Apply a continuous improvement mindset focused on learning, using, and improving processes.
• Work independently within the tool room while communicating with Production and Engineering as needed.
• Support the continued growth of the manufacturing operation and increasing production demands.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe tool room and work environment.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–5+ years of experience in tool making, die making, tool repair, or a closely related manufacturing role.
• Experience designing, building, repairing, or modifying tooling, jigs, fixtures, and workholding equipment.
• Ability to operate manual and CNC machining equipment.
• Experience with manual lathes and mills.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering prints, drawings, and specifications.
• Experience using precision measuring equipment including micrometers, calipers, and depth gauges.
• Familiarity with MasterCAM.
• Familiarity with G-code.
• Experience setting up and operating lathes, grinders, milling machines, shapers, and related equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and machining skills.
• Ability to fabricate and modify tooling to meet production requirements.
• Ability to troubleshoot tooling and fixture issues.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize work based on production needs.
• Ability to work independently with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to precision.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, and other manufacturing personnel.
• Ability to follow project schedules and complete tooling work within established timelines.
• Ability to work Monday through Thursday on a 4x10 schedule, generally from approximately 6:00 AM–4:30 PM.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed.

Preferred:

• Associate's degree in Machine Tool Technology or a related field.
• Experience working independently in a tool room environment.
• CAD experience, preferably SolidWorks.
• Experience with electrical wiring.
• Experience working with hydraulic lines.
• Advanced MasterCAM experience.
• Experience developing custom workholding solutions.
• Experience supporting CNC machining operations.
• Experience with Haas or Okuma CNC equipment.
• Experience in a high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting heavy-duty, automotive, commercial vehicle, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience with fixture design and assembly equipment.
• Experience creating BOMs and managing tooling projects.
• Experience working with robotic manufacturing cells.
• Experience with precision machining and close-tolerance tooling.
• Experience with continuous improvement or Lean manufacturing initiatives.

Benefits Overview:

• Up to $38/hour base pay depending on experience and qualifications.
• Quarterly bonus opportunity.
• Monday–Thursday, 4x10 schedule.
• Typical schedule of approximately 6:00 AM–4:30 PM with a 30-minute lunch.
• Clean, organized, and temperature-controlled manufacturing environment.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division, where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

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