EDM Operator - Electrode Designer

Atomic Industries, Inc.•Detroit, MI

9d•$20 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

Atomic Industries is seeking a skilled EDM Operator / Electrode Designer to join their tooling and engineering team. This role is responsible for extracting and designing electrodes from 3D mold models and operating sinker (ram) EDM machines to burn precise detail into hardened tooling components. This is a hands-on, highly collaborative role working closely with mold design, CNC machining, and assembly teams to ensure electrodes and EDM burns meet dimensional, surface finish, and quality requirements while supporting efficient cycle times.

Requirements

3+ years of experience in sinker (ram) EDM operation and/or electrode design in a mold or tool & die environment.
Solid understanding of the EDM process, including spark gaps, overburn, electrode wear, and SPI/VDI surface finishes.
Proficiency extracting and designing electrodes in Cimatron (or comparable CAD/CAM electrode software).
Experience machining graphite and copper electrodes on CNC equipment, with the ability to read 3D models and 2D drawings.
Familiarity with hardened tool steels and their behavior in the EDM process, plus proficiency with precision measuring tools.
Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Hands-on manufacturing mindset with the ability to collaborate across shop-floor and engineering teams.
Excellent communication skills and comfort working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Extract and design electrodes from 3D mold models using Cimatron, including burn faces, spark gaps, blank sizing, and reference/holder setup.
Program and machine graphite and copper electrodes on high-speed CNC milling equipment.
Set up, align, and operate sinker (ram) EDM machines to burn cores, cavities, ribs, detail, and lettering into hardened tool steel.
Establish and optimize burn parameters, orbiting strategies, and electrode sequencing based on material, geometry, and required surface finish.
Reference and indicate electrodes and workpieces to achieve accurate location, depth, and orientation.
Achieve required SPI surface finishes and dimensional tolerances on detailed mold features.
Inspect electrodes and burns using micrometers, height gauges, and CMM data, verifying against models and drawings.
Maintain electrode tracking, naming, and documentation to support repeatability and future builds.
Perform routine EDM machine maintenance, including dielectric fluid, filtration, and electrode holders.
Incorporate lessons learned and continuous improvement feedback into future electrode and EDM work.