Experienced Toolmakers - Progressive & Eyelet

Precision Manufacturing | Metal Forming | Eyelet Press Operations

Cadence is seeking an experienced Toolmakers at the Watertown, CT facility to support high-precision metal forming operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. These roles play a critical part in building, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing progressive stamping dies, deep draw dies, and eyelet tooling that support complex precision manufacturing processes.

The ideal candidates bring strong hands-on toolmaking expertise in progressive die and/or eyelet tooling environments, precision machining skills, and a proactive approach to problem solving and continuous improvement. If you enjoy working with complex tooling systems, solving technical challenges, and contributing to high-quality manufacturing processes, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Set up, troubleshoot, and optimize tooling in progressive stamping and/or eyelet press operations
• Build, repair, maintain, and modify progressive dies, deep draw dies, and eyelet tooling using toolroom equipment and hand tools
• Support press setup and production teams during tool launches, troubleshooting, changeovers, and program transfers
• Diagnose tooling and process issues impacting dimensional accuracy, cosmetic quality, or machine performance
• Modify tooling designs to improve product quality, manufacturing efficiency, and tool life
• Perform preventative maintenance and tool inspections to minimize downtime
• Interpret engineering drawings, GD&T requirements, tooling blueprints, and process documentation
• Maintain toolroom equipment and follow safe working practices at all times

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of toolmaking experience in progressive stamping, deep draw, eyelet tooling, or related precision metal forming environments required
• Strong experience supporting progressive press and/or eyelet press manufacturing operations
• Proficiency with toolroom equipment, including manual lathes, Bridgeport milling machines, and manual surface grinders
• Strong understanding of metal forming, progressive die operation, and/or deep draw forming principles
• Solid knowledge of measurement methods, precision inspection tools, and quality practices
• Ability to troubleshoot dimensional and cosmetic part defects
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications:

• Journeyman Toolmaker certification or equivalent experience in progressive die or eyelet toolmaking
• Experience with progressive stamping presses and/or specialized eyelet equipment such as Lassy, Waterbury Farrell, or Baird machines
• Experience working with stainless steel and thin-gauge materials

What You'll Bring:

• A hands-on approach to toolmaking and continuous improvement
• Strong collaboration with engineering, production, and quality teams
• A commitment to precision, safety, and high-quality manufacturing

About Cadence
Cadence is a leading contract manufacturer specializing in precision components and assemblies for the medical device and life sciences industries. With deep expertise in niche metal forming, machining, and complex component manufacturing, Cadence partners with customers to bring high-quality medical technologies to market.

Our teams operate across multiple FDA-registered manufacturing sites and are dedicated to delivering precision, reliability, and innovation. At Cadence, we combine advanced manufacturing capabilities with a collaborative culture focused on quality, continuous improvement, and customer success.