Tool Maker I/II/III

A-dec Inc.•Newberg, OR

About The Position

The Tool Maker II position supports manufacturing departments by building, maintaining, repairing, and editing designs for high-precision parts, jigs, fixtures, automated manufacturing devices, custom cutting tools, and related tooling. The role uses provided drawings, engineering CAD files, and models to create parts and develop safe, accurate, efficient CNC programs using CAM software. It also maintains relevant CAD and CAM files and manages documentation for designs, assemblies, upgrades, and modifications within a PDM system. The position provides grinding services for custom cutting tools and advises internal customers on their proper use and care, while recommending design improvements. With occasional guidance, the Tool Maker specifies materials and machining processes, builds or modifies components and devices, and produces precision parts using manual and CNC equipment. The role also supports manufacturing improvements, provides guidance to production staff and engineering colleagues, and helps train apprentices and less experienced Tool Makers. The job requires effective time management, dependable completion of assigned work, and adherence to safety guidelines. Some work areas may expose employees to chemicals, noise, vibration, or dust, requiring appropriate personal protective equipment. A background check and screen for illegal drug use are required. A-dec is an equal opportunity employer and is interested in candidates authorized to work in the United States; it cannot sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visas.

Requirements

Generally, four to six years of experience in close-tolerance machining (+/- 0.0002 inches), machine-shop practices, and machine-tool setup and operation.
Experience setting up and operating CNC vertical 3-axis mills, CNC lathes, manual mills and lathes, drill presses, and surface and tool grinders.
Ability to model parts, assemblies, and drawings using 3D CAD (Inventor), with CAM programming and editing skills (Mastercam).
Proficiency with fixture-tooling concepts, work-holding practices, manufacturing methods, heat treating, and tool-steel selection.
Proficiency with hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, and semi-automated devices.
Ability to perform accurate math calculations and strong understanding of decimal/fraction equivalence, geometry, and trigonometry.
Ability to read, write, and communicate work information in English; follow written and verbal instructions; and troubleshoot problems.
Comfort providing input to Manufacturing Engineers, Automation Engineers, Designers, and others, supported by credible evidence.
Ability to work independently and occasionally apply instructional input for others.
Ability to learn and use various Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) and software as necessary.
Possession of all necessary hand tools.
Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise maneuver up to 35 pounds routinely, with or without assistance.
Manual hand dexterity to grasp and operate tools and equipment repetitively.
Ability to walk, stand, sit, bend, reach, and occasionally kneel, climb steps, and twist throughout an entire shift.
Ability to use appropriate personal protective equipment in areas that may expose workers to chemicals, noise, vibration, or dust.

Responsibilities

Build, repair, and edit designs for high-precision parts, jigs, fixtures, related tooling, and devices using provided drawings and models.
Provide grinding services to create or modify custom cutting tools.
Instruct internal customers on the proper use and care of custom-ground cutting tools and recommend and implement cutter-design improvements.
Develop accurate, efficient, and safe CNC programs from engineering CAD files using CAM software; code standard tooling programs and one-off parts for production support.
Maintain and update CAM and CAD files for special tooling.
Produce parts to an accuracy and precision of 0.0002 inches using manual and CNC equipment across multiple materials, hardnesses, and finishes.
Consult with other Tool Makers on setups and planning.
Build new components and devices and upgrade or modify existing components, projects, jigs, fixtures, and related devices to meet specifications.
Manage and document parts, assemblies, and drawings for designs, upgrades, and modifications using 3D CAD within a PDM system.
Specify materials, alloys, hardnesses, surface finishes, surface treatments, tolerances, and machining processes when not specified by engineers.
Repair, build, and edit designs for pneumatic, manual, or hydraulic component-holding devices.
Independently set up and operate surface grinders to produce flat, perpendicular, and round shapes to 0.0002-inch accuracy.
Identify incremental manufacturing improvements based on technical knowledge.
Provide occasional direction to production staff, manufacturing engineers, and technicians on proper tooling use and best practices.
Help train apprentices and guide less experienced Tool Makers.
Manage time and assigned work effectively, meet deadlines, maintain dependability, and follow safety guidelines.