Tool & Die Maker
MW Components, Merrill, WI, United States
Tool & Die Maker
MW Components - Northern Wire has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Tool & Die Maker! Immerse yourself in what MW Components has to offer:
Competitive Compensation
Quarterly Incentive Program
Comprehensive Benefits
Paid Holidays
Development and Career Growth Opportunities
Educational Assistance Program
Collaborative Culture
Innovative and Impactful Work
Employee Wellness Program
The Tool & Die Maker will support engineering and manufacturing operations by creating, modifying, and maintaining technical drawings, models, and documentation. This role works closely with engineers, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure designs are accurate, manufacturable, and compliant with company standards and customer requirements.
Essential Duties & Key Responsibilities:
Tool Design & Engineering
Design production tooling, fixtures, dies, gauges, and work-holding using CAD software.
Create and revise 2D drawings and 3D models for tooling, fixtures, and components.
Develop tooling solutions that support metal forming, wire forming, machining, and secondary operations.
Ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, robust, safe, and aligned with production requirements.
Support engineering changes by preparing updated drawings, BOMs, and documentation.
Apply DFM and DFA principles to tooling and production equipment.
Participate in design reviews and collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams.
Tool Fabrication & Production Support
Fabricate, modify, repair, and maintain tooling using manual lathes & mills, CNC machining equipment, grinders, saws, drill presses, heat treating ovens, and hand tools.
Perform fitting, assembly, debugging, and prove-out tooling on the shop floor for production readiness.
Troubleshoot tooling issues during production and implement corrective actions.
Work directly with production personnel and implement corrective actions.
Support prototype development, trials, and first-article runs.
Documentation & Quality
Maintain accurate tooling documentation, revisions, and records.
Ensure drawings and documentation meet company and customer standards.
Identify design or tooling discrepancies and escalate as needed.
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling or process issues.
Follow engineering, quality, and safety procedures at all times.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve tooling life, efficiency, safety, and cost.
Support LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling and processes.
Assist with standardization of tooling designs and best practices.
Additional Responsibilities:
Assist with other engineering or manufacturing support tasks, as needed.
Comply with customer-specific requirements, where applicable.
Perform other duties as assigned
Skills & Competencies:
Strong toolmaking and machining skills
Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, CAMWorks, or similar)
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications
Practical understanding of metal forming, wire forming, machining, and secondary operations
Problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Effective communication between engineering and production teams
Focus on safety, quality, and manufacturability
Education & Experience:
Required:
Technical degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in Tool & Die, Toolmaking, Machining, or Manufacturing Engineering
Demonstrated experience designing and building production tooling
Experience using CAD software for tooling and fixture design
Ability to fabricate tooling using manual and/or CNC equipment
Strong mechanical aptitude and shop math skills
Preferred:
Experience in wire forming, metal forming, fasteners, or high-volume manufacturing
Knowledge of GD&T
Experience with ECN/ECR processes
Familiarity with ERP or PLM systems
5+ years of hands-on toolmaking experience
Physical Demands:
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and work at a computer and in a manufacturing environment
Frequent use of hands for machining, assembly, and computer input
Ability to lift and carry tooling or materials up to 25 lbs (occasionally more with assistance)
Visual acuity required for detailed work, drawings, and inspection
Occasional exposure to shop noise, oils, and manufacturing equipment
Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching within the office environment.
Regular communication through speaking and hearing in person, by phone, and during virtual meetings.
Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
MW Components - Northern Wire has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Tool & Die Maker! Immerse yourself in what MW Components has to offer:
Competitive Compensation
Quarterly Incentive Program
Comprehensive Benefits
Paid Holidays
Development and Career Growth Opportunities
Educational Assistance Program
Collaborative Culture
Innovative and Impactful Work
Employee Wellness Program
The Tool & Die Maker will support engineering and manufacturing operations by creating, modifying, and maintaining technical drawings, models, and documentation. This role works closely with engineers, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure designs are accurate, manufacturable, and compliant with company standards and customer requirements.
Essential Duties & Key Responsibilities:
Tool Design & Engineering
Design production tooling, fixtures, dies, gauges, and work-holding using CAD software.
Create and revise 2D drawings and 3D models for tooling, fixtures, and components.
Develop tooling solutions that support metal forming, wire forming, machining, and secondary operations.
Ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, robust, safe, and aligned with production requirements.
Support engineering changes by preparing updated drawings, BOMs, and documentation.
Apply DFM and DFA principles to tooling and production equipment.
Participate in design reviews and collaborate with engineering, quality, and manufacturing teams.
Tool Fabrication & Production Support
Fabricate, modify, repair, and maintain tooling using manual lathes & mills, CNC machining equipment, grinders, saws, drill presses, heat treating ovens, and hand tools.
Perform fitting, assembly, debugging, and prove-out tooling on the shop floor for production readiness.
Troubleshoot tooling issues during production and implement corrective actions.
Work directly with production personnel and implement corrective actions.
Support prototype development, trials, and first-article runs.
Documentation & Quality
Maintain accurate tooling documentation, revisions, and records.
Ensure drawings and documentation meet company and customer standards.
Identify design or tooling discrepancies and escalate as needed.
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling or process issues.
Follow engineering, quality, and safety procedures at all times.
Continuous Improvement
Identify opportunities to improve tooling life, efficiency, safety, and cost.
Support LEAN and continuous improvement initiatives related to tooling and processes.
Assist with standardization of tooling designs and best practices.
Additional Responsibilities:
Assist with other engineering or manufacturing support tasks, as needed.
Comply with customer-specific requirements, where applicable.
Perform other duties as assigned
Skills & Competencies:
Strong toolmaking and machining skills
Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, CAMWorks, or similar)
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and specifications
Practical understanding of metal forming, wire forming, machining, and secondary operations
Problem-solving and root cause analysis skills
Strong attention to detail and documentation accuracy
Ability to work independently and collaboratively
Effective communication between engineering and production teams
Focus on safety, quality, and manufacturability
Education & Experience:
Required:
Technical degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in Tool & Die, Toolmaking, Machining, or Manufacturing Engineering
Demonstrated experience designing and building production tooling
Experience using CAD software for tooling and fixture design
Ability to fabricate tooling using manual and/or CNC equipment
Strong mechanical aptitude and shop math skills
Preferred:
Experience in wire forming, metal forming, fasteners, or high-volume manufacturing
Knowledge of GD&T
Experience with ECN/ECR processes
Familiarity with ERP or PLM systems
5+ years of hands-on toolmaking experience
Physical Demands:
Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, and work at a computer and in a manufacturing environment
Frequent use of hands for machining, assembly, and computer input
Ability to lift and carry tooling or materials up to 25 lbs (occasionally more with assistance)
Visual acuity required for detailed work, drawings, and inspection
Occasional exposure to shop noise, oils, and manufacturing equipment
Occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching within the office environment.
Regular communication through speaking and hearing in person, by phone, and during virtual meetings.
Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.