Machinist & Tool Maker Apprentice

Laborup•Maryville, TN

10h•$23•Onsite

About The Position

We’re hiring a Tool Maker & Machinist Apprentice to join one of the most coveted manufacturing brands in East Tennessee. This role is fundamentally a tool and die apprenticeship—you will work closely with our master tool and die team to learn a highly specialized trade that few get exposure to. You don't need to be an expert toolmaker on day one; instead, we are looking for someone with strong machining fundamentals on mills and lathes, excellent mechanical aptitude, and a hunger to learn. In this role, you will focus on injection mold maintenance while utilizing surface grinders, lathes, and mill equipment to create and prototype fixtures, tooling, and gauges. Whether you are coming right out of a technical program (like TCAT) or have a couple of years of manual machining under your belt, this position offers the hands-on training and mentorship necessary to get your precision machining career off to an incredible start.

Requirements

1–2 years of experience in a manufacturing environment, or equivalent hands-on training (recent trade school/TCAT graduates are highly encouraged to apply).
Strong foundational skills in manual machining (mills, lathes, surface grinders) and a basic understanding of CNC operations.
A strong general mechanical skill set with the ability to take conceptual ideas through to final finish and assembly.
Proven ability to read blueprints, interpret instructional drawings, and utilize basic precision measurement tools.
High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with tool & die or injection mold maintenance.
A diploma or certificate from a vocational/technical school (such as TCAT) in precision machining or machine tool technology.
Working knowledge of shop mathematics, including fractions, decimals, geometry, and basic algebra.
Familiarity with hydraulic and pneumatic clamping systems, as well as forklift or hoist experience.

Responsibilities

Perform comprehensive injection mold maintenance, including teardown, cleaning, troubleshooting, repair, and reassembly.
Set up and operate manual equipment (lathes, mills, surface grinders) and ProtoTRAK-controlled machines to create precision parts.
Manufacture and modify tooling, fixtures, gauges, and prototype components from engineering drawings, concepts, or sketches.
Read and interpret technical blueprints to mark out designs on raw materials and execute accurate cuts.
Utilize precision measuring instruments to verify quality, ensure dimensional accuracy, and adhere to strict quality standards.
Work closely with the engineering and production teams to troubleshoot machining processes and create prototype tooling.
Complete assigned technical, administrative, and hands-on training programs to advance your proficiency in tool and die making.