Lead Toolmaker – CNC & Wire EDM

Plaskolite•Charlotte, NC

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Tooling Lead is responsible for overseeing daily toolmaking activities, including tooling setup, maintenance, repair, and changeovers, to ensure reliable, efficient, and safe manufacturing operations at Plaskolite. This role provides technical leadership and guidance to the tooling team, ensuring dies, and related tooling are manufactured, maintained, and repaired according to established quality and performance standards. The Tooling Lead works closely with Production, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to coordinate tooling readiness, troubleshoots tooling-related issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives. This position plays a key role in maximizing equipment uptime, minimizing lead time for new tooling and product launches, ensuring consistent product quality, and promoting safe and efficient manufacturing practices and promoting Plaskolite’s “One Plaskolite” culture of collaboration, integrity, and operational excellence. This position requires attention to detail, the ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, and a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and quality—reflecting Plaskolite’s core values of Integrity and Improvement.

Requirements

Technical certificate, vocational training, coursework, apprenticeship training, or equivalent hands-on experience in toolmaking, machining, manufacturing technology, or a related field.
Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive hands-on experience in toolmaking, machining, die/mold manufacturing or maintenance, or a related precision manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience manufacturing, repairing, or modifying dies, molds, fixtures, or other precision tooling.
Hands-on experience setting up and programming Wire EDM equipment.
Hands-on experience programming, setting up, and operating CNC milling equipment.
Experience independently creating machining programs using CAM software.
Experience operating manual machining equipment, including mills, lathes, and grinders.
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, and GD&T.
Experience using precision measurement equipment and working to tight tolerances.

Nice To Haves

Plastic extrusion dies or extrusion tooling
Plastic profile or sheet extrusion manufacturing
Haas CNC equipment
Mitsubishi or Sodick Wire EDM equipment
Autodesk Inventor / Inventor CAM
Esprit, Mastercam, Fusion 360, or similar CAM software
4-axis or taper Wire EDM cutting
Surface or form grinding
Die profiling and polishing
Sinker EDM or electrode manufacturing
Vacuum sizing equipment
Journeyman Toolmaker training or certification

Responsibilities

Manufacture plastic extrusion dies, tooling, jigs, fixtures, and gauges from raw material through final production-ready condition.
Prepare raw stock and tooling blanks, including cutting, squaring, roughing, and finishing materials for machining operations.
Program, set up, and operate Wire EDM equipment, including 4-axis cutting operations.
Program, set up, and operate 3-axis CNC milling machines for precision machining of tooling components.
Independently create CNC and EDM programs using CAM software.
Operate manual machine shop equipment, including mills, lathes, grinders, and drill presses.
Utilize CAD/CAM software to support machining programs, tooling modifications, fixtures, and manufacturing processes.
Design fixtures and workholding solutions for machined components and participate in broader tooling and die design discussions with senior tooling and engineering team members.
Interpret detailed engineering drawings, models, GD&T, and technical specifications to accurately manufacture tooling components.
Inspect machined components using precision measurement instruments to ensure tight tolerances and quality requirements are maintained.
Assemble, fit, finish, and troubleshoot tooling to achieve production-ready condition.
Work directly with plastic extrusion production lines to understand tooling functionality and manufacturing process requirements.
Troubleshoot tooling performance during extrusion runs and implement appropriate corrective actions.
Modify and adjust tooling to improve material flow, dimensional accuracy, product quality, and overall performance.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing tooling life, reducing downtime, shortening tooling lead times, and improving workflow efficiency.
Support capital projects, including the installation, setup, and validation of new dies and tooling systems.
Assist with preventive maintenance programs for machine shop equipment.
Support Maintenance by manufacturing components related to extrusion equipment and tooling systems.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment in accordance with 5S principles and company safety requirements.
Follow all machine operation procedures, safety standards, and quality requirements.
Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Maintenance, and other cross-functional partners to support manufacturing efficiency.
Demonstrate teamwork, accountability, integrity, and a commitment to PLASKOLITE's One PLASKOLITE culture and operational excellence.
Perform other duties as assigned.