Tool and Die Maker

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Valley, NE

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Tool and Die Maker employee follows the direction of the supervisor, lead person and more experienced employees to machine parts for tools as directed, including constructing and repairing dies, molds, gauges, jigs, and other fixtures to be used in a variety of production areas in all Valmont divisions. They also fabricate and/or repair parts and assemblies for the maintenance of plant equipment. The incumbent fabricates prototype parts for new product development. Tool and Die employees are expected to read mechanical blueprints and perform trigonometric calculations. Tool and Die employees must identify trends indicated by press monitoring systems and suggest corrections. All Tool and Die employees are expected to maintain a clean, neat and safe work area and keep machines and tools clean and in good working order. Tool and Die employees are expected to participate in continuous improvement teams. Required to operate a forklift and have successfully completed Valmont’s forklift training. Demonstrates the Company’s core values passion, integrity, results, and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree and 3+ years related work experience OR 7+ years related work experience.
• Successfully complete Toolmaker and Machinist tests and hands-on tests.
• 3 years of experience reading and interpreting various types of blueprints or process sheets.
• Experience with heat treatments of ferrous material through hardening and surface hardening.
• Construction and troubleshooting of dies, fixtures tooling and mechanical components.
• The ability to demonstrate the fundamentals of dimensional precision measurement and tolerancing using all micrometer types, calipers, indicators, thread gauges.
• Experience with a version of AutoCAD which is 2010 or newer.
• The ability to do advanced shop math including geometry and trigonometry.
• The ability to proficiently operate manual lathes, mills, drills and grinders, and program and operate CNC mills and lathes.
• The ability to demonstrate metal cutting and machine tool operation.
• Work experience welding mild steel with wire feed or stick.
• The ability to safely lift up to 25 pounds frequently throughout the shift.
• The ability to stand 90% of the shift; bend, pivot or squat 10% of the shift.
• A working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and computer proficiency to be able to communicate with other departments, enter time and labor functions, online training, as well as request time off.
• The ability to work over ten hours a week in overtime and weekends when required for business needs.
• The ability and willingness to communicate and interact with coworkers and others in a positive manner that is conducive to teamwork, with or without direct supervision.
• The ability and willingness to perform tasks to maintain a clean and safe working environment within and outside the department as needed, with or without direct supervision.
• Participates in department Safety and Lean programs.
• Safely and efficiently operate; jib, monorail and bridge cranes.
• Safely operate and drive a forklift.
• Acceptable prior attendance, safety, and performance history.
• Intermediate proficiency in CNC milling and CNC lathe.
• Ability to speak, read, write, and communicate in English.
• Possess legible penmanship.
• Ability to read all types of mechanical blueprints.
• Heat treatments of ferrous material through hardening and surface hardening.
• Construction of dies and fixtures.
• Understands the theory of metal cutting and machine tool operation.
• Knows the fundamentals of dimensional precision measurement and tolerancing and use of measuring tools.
• Machine tool operation.
• Use of Computer Aided Drafting.
• Ability to do advanced shop math including geometry and trigonometry.
• Weld mild steel with wire feed or stick.
• A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and computer proficiency to be able to communicate with other departments, enter time and labor functions, online training, as well as request time off.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred associate’s degree in a related field.
• One or more years of previous experience working with Computer Aided Drafting software in a professional environment.
• One or more years of previous welding experience in a professional environment.
• One year of previous experience operating a forklift in a professional environment.
• Associates degree in Machine Tool Technology or Tool and Die.

Responsibilities

• Heat treatment of various ferrous materials through hardening and surface hardening.
• Design, Construct, and Troubleshoot, dies, fixtures, tooling, and mechanical components.
• Demonstrate the fundamentals of dimensional precision measurement and tolerancing.
• View, create and update AutoCAD drawings and Fusion models and drawings.
• Perform advanced shop math including geometry and trigonometry.
• Proficiently operate manual lathes, mills, drills, and grinders, and proficiently program and operate CNC mills and lathes.
• Proficiently demonstrate metal cutting and machine tool operations.
• Weld mild steel with wire feed or stick.
• Use the computer to access various programs (AutoCAD, Fusion, email, labor reporting, safety, training).
• The ability to work over ten hours a week, to include additional time on weekends, in overtime when required for business needs.
• Safely operate and drive a forklift.
• Operate material handling equipment such as hydraulic lifts, jib and bridge cranes to facilitate material handling requirements.
• Receive, inspect, clean and stock steel, nonferrous metals, phenolics, plastics and other raw materials as needed for various projects.
• Communicate effectively through written and spoken words.
• This position reports into GEMS and mentors the lessor skilled Tool and Die employees.
• Reviews assigned job instructions and prints to see if there are any mistakes or missing information.
• Assures the area is safe to work as prescribed by company safety policies and followed by others in the working environment.
• Determines what materials are required and how best to utilize those materials.
• Determines what machines are best suited to perform the work efficiently.
• Determines what tools will be needed to do the machining.
• Develops a plan and sequence of steps to setup and hold the materials to be machined.
• Considers what effects the machining might have on the material that may affect the final dimensions.
• Programs the CNC machine using print information and/or use CAD software to determine coordinates for tool paths.
• Positions proper guarding of the point of operation to protect self and others from the cutting tool and chips.
• Inspects work quality frequently to assure specifications are being met.
• Keeps the department and immediate work area orderly and clean.
• Keeps the lead person up to date on work progress and any issues.
• Uses CNC machining time to prepare for next steps, inspect quality, and clean area to maximize usage of available time and eliminate waste.
• Documents changes or errors found in prints and notify the customer.
• Provide estimates of time and material needed to lead or supervisor upon request through verbal or written documents to meet customers’ inquiry for quote.
• Must be capable of basic programming and operation of CNC mills.
• Capable of operating mechanical lathes, mills, drills and grinders.
• Incumbent must understand the elements of construction of dies and fixtures as well as know types and limitations of punch presses.
• This position must also understand the theory of metal cutting and machine tool operation and know the fundamentals of dimensional precision measurement and tolerance.
• Employees make routine decisions with much of this job covered by standard practices.
• Uses of good common sense and quality control procedures are essential aspects of completing this job in a successful manner.
• The employee should be able to recognize major defects or quality issues and bring them to the attention of the lead or supervisor.
• Tool and Die Maker 2 will be able to complete the essential functions of the position with a moderate amount of supervision.
• This position requires the employee to plan the sequence of machining operations to produce necessary tooling fixtures and dies consistent with tolerances required by engineering.
• Employees are also accountable for planning set-up of all manual machine tools within the department to include the design and construction of work holding fixtures and devices needed to hold and position workpieces for safe and proper machining.
• Tool and Die Maker also needs to decide when to replace worn tool parts.
• Tool and Die Maker initiates proper design concepts for new dies and tooling on CAD software as well as provides estimates on time and labor for tool construction and repair.
• This position requires the employee to stand most of the time.
• Bending and squatting is necessary for around 10% of the shift.
• Fixtures weighing up to 50 pounds will need to be moved continually throughout the shift although the average lift weight is around 25 pounds.
• Incumbents must change lathe chucks, and secure raw material weighing from 30 pounds to several thousand pounds using appropriate lifting devices.
• Fine motor skills are required for the operation of measuring tools, handling machine tools, and keying data into the machine interfaces.
• Wrenches, manual and pneumatic, are used to disassemble and assemble dies, fixtures, jigs and to set up machines.
• Coordinated movements are required to walk and manipulate machine controls, jib hoists, and bridge cranes.
• Maintaining a clean and safe department requires the floors to be swept up of dirt and chips daily.
• Depending on the weather, sweeping up outside may be required.
• Additionally, snow may have to be shoveled from critical areas around the building.
• Cleaning grease, oil, dust and dirt from steel, machines, floor, and various areas in the department is part of standard housekeeping practices.
• Work is not limited to the Tool and Die building.
• Work is often required to be done in the production areas working on tools and machines.
• The use of ladders or hoists may be required to access machines components.
• The majority of work is done in the Tool and Die building, which is temperature controlled.
• When working the employee can be subjected to the temperature extremes found in the production areas.

Benefits

• Healthcare (medical, prescription drugs, dental and vision)
• 401k retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off
• Employer paid life insurance
• Employer paid short-term and long-term disability including maternity leave
• Work Life Support
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,250 per year
• Voluntary programs like tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, mortgage services and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree