Lead Tool & Die Machinist

MP Materials Corp.•Fort Worth, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Tool & Die Machinist is responsible for leading the maintenance, repair, fabrication, and continuous improvement of tooling, dies, fixtures, and manufacturing equipment to support production operations. This position requires extensive experience with manual and CNC machining equipment, strong troubleshooting abilities, and leadership skills to coordinate work activities and mentor other technicians. The ideal candidate will possess a high level of craftsmanship, a strong safety mindset, and the ability to work independently while driving improvements in equipment reliability, quality, and production efficiency.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Minimum of 10+ years of Tool & Die or precision machining experience.
Strong experience operating manual lathes, manual mills, CNC machining centers, and surface grinders.
Ability to read and interpret blueprints, mechanical drawings, and GD&T.
Proficiency with precision measuring tools, including micrometers, calipers, height gauges, dial indicators, and bore gauges.
Experience troubleshooting hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems.
Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in an industrial manufacturing environment.

Nice To Haves

Journeyman Tool & Die Maker certification or equivalent experience preferred.
Minimum of 2+ years in a leadership or lead technician role preferred.
Experience with lean manufacturing principles.
Welding and fabrication experience (MIG, TIG, or Stick).
CNC programming and setup experience.
Experience using CMMS systems such as SAP.
Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance methodologies.
Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
High attention to detail and craftsmanship.
High ownership and accountability.
Ability to prioritize multiple projects and respond to changing production needs.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Willingness to learn and grow into more advanced maintenance roles.

Responsibilities

Lead daily activities of the Tool & Die team and coordinate priorities with production and maintenance leadership.
Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain stamping dies, fixtures, jigs, molds, and precision tooling.
Operate and maintain manual lathes, manual milling machines, CNC mills and lathes, Wire EDM, surface grinders, drill presses, horizontal/vertical band saws, and precision measuring equipment.
Fabricate replacement parts and components from engineering drawings, sketches, or worn samples.
Perform precision fitting, alignment, and assembly of tooling components.
Conduct root cause analysis on recurring tooling failures and implement corrective actions.
Support preventive and predictive maintenance programs for tooling and manufacturing equipment.
Assist engineering with new product development, tooling modifications, and process improvements.
Train, mentor, and develop junior Tool & Die Technicians and machinists.
Ensure all work is performed in compliance with company safety policies and LOTO procedures.
Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, and tooling documentation.
Recommend improvements to increase reliability, reduce downtime, and improve product quality.
Repair, troubleshoot, modify, and rebuild stamping dies, molds, fixtures, jigs, and precision tooling to maintain safe and reliable production operations.
Provide urgent production support by responding to tooling failures, diagnosing root causes, and implementing permanent corrective actions to improve equipment uptime and reliability.
Reverse engineer worn or unavailable components from samples, drawings, or existing parts to restore equipment functionality and maintain operational continuity.
Partner with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to prioritize tooling repairs and improvements that maximize equipment availability, throughput, and overall plant performance.