Progressive Die Maintenance Specialist

Imagine Your Day

You arrive to a well-equipped tool room, review overnight production notes, and dive into a progressive die that needs a quick sharpen before the next run. By mid-morning you’re troubleshooting a press and die issue, reading a CAD drawing to validate a critical dimension, and machining a replacement component to keep the line moving. In the afternoon, you’re fitting and assembling tooling, confirming smoothness and contour accuracy with micrometers and calipers, then conducting a short test run to validate your work. Throughout it all, safety, precision, and teamwork drive every decision you make.

What You’ll Do

• Build, repair, maintain, and rebuild progressive dies to meet design requirements and quality expectations.
• Modify existing tooling as customer changes and production needs evolve.
• Sharpen and repair progressive dies to extend life and performance.
• Troubleshoot press and die challenges; recommend and implement corrective actions.
• Perform changeovers on multiple-part tooling to support quick, efficient production shifts.
• Read and interpret blueprints, CAD drawings, and technical documentation with confidence.
• Machine die components and set up die components and tooling for production.
• Set up and safely operate tool room equipment, including drills, lathes, grinders, and milling machines.
• Fit and assemble tools and dies to achieve proper function, smooth operation, and accurate contours.
• Inspect tools and dies for defects, dimensional accuracy, smoothness, and contour conformity.
• Run tests with completed tools and dies to verify performance.
• Use precision measurement tools such as calipers and micrometers to validate tolerances.
• Follow company safety rules, policies, procedures, and quality standards at all times.
• Keep your area clean, organized, and safe; pitch in on other duties as needed.

About You

• Deep knowledge of tool room equipment and safe, efficient operation.
• Well-versed in progressive die build, repair, and maintenance methods.
• Hands-on experience with punch press equipment and metal forming processes.
• Strong troubleshooting ability for press and die issues.
• Comfortable reading/understanding blueprints and CAD drawings.
• Proficient with precision instruments (calipers, micrometers).
• Mechanical aptitude, meticulous attention to detail, and pride in workmanship.
• Collaborative, communicative, and team-oriented.
• Safety-conscious, dependable, and self-motivated with basic computer skills.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Five years of related experience and/or training preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• TMA certificate or equivalent preferred.
• Previous experience with progressive dies, stamping, tool and die maintenance, or metal forming is highly desirable.

Communication, Math, and Problem-Solving

• Language & Communication: Able to read safety rules, operating/maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals; read blueprints and CAD drawings; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, and other team members.
• Mathematical Skills: Capable of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing whole numbers, fractions, and decimals; can apply basic algebra and geometry in a manufacturing/tooling setting.
• Reasoning: Apply common-sense understanding from written, oral, or diagrammed instructions; troubleshoot mechanical and tooling problems; handle several concrete variables in standardized situations; and make sound decisions in production.

Work Environment

This role is based in a manufacturing/tool room environment and may involve exposure to:

• Moving mechanical parts
• Airborne particles
• Electrical hazards
• Vibration
• Manufacturing-related environmental conditions
• Loud noise levels

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to perform the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform the essential functions of the position.

• Occasionally lift and/or move more than 80 pounds.
• Regularly stand and walk.
• Regularly use hands and reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Frequently climb or balance.
• Occasionally sit, talk, and hear.
• Work safely around machinery, tooling, and other manufacturing equipment.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Tools & Tech You’ll Touch

• You should be proficient in: CNC Tooling; Tool/Die/Mold Repair Skills; Tool/Die/Mold Setup Experience
• Machines & technologies you'll use: Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)