Class A Mold Maker
Position Summary
The Class A Mold Maker is a top-tier, highly skilled tooling professional responsible for building, fitting, modifying, and repairing complex molds to the highest precision standards. This role requires expert-level machining capability, strong understanding of mold design, and the ability to work independently from concept through completion.
Pay: $36 - $41 + DOE
Key Responsibilities
- Build new molds from start to finish, including machining, fitting, assembly, polishing, and final qualification.
- Interpret highly detailed engineering drawings, 3D CAD models, and GD&T specifications with minimal supervision.
- Set up and operate advanced machining equipment, including CNC mills/lathes, surface grinders, EDM (sinker and wire), and high-precision manual equipment.
- Perform complex mold repairs and engineering changes, including troubleshooting parting line issues, venting, gating, runners, slides, lifters, and hot-runner systems.
- Diagnose root causes of mold defects (flash, galling, cooling issues, alignment failures, etc.) and implement corrective actions.
- Lead mold trials, ensuring tools run correctly and meet all dimensional, cosmetic, and functional requirements before release to production.
- Collaborate with design, engineering, and processing teams to optimize mold design for manufacturability, quality, and cycle time.
- Maintain detailed documentation and mold history, including preventive maintenance actions and repair logs.
- Ensure all work complies with tight tolerances, quality standards, and safety procedures.
Qualifications
- Journeyman toolmaker certification or equivalent high-level training required.
- 5–10+ years of mold-making experience, preferably with complex, high-precision molds.
- Expert understanding of:
- Mold design and mold construction
- Tool steels, heat treating, and material properties
- Hot runner systems, cooling layouts, gating strategies
- Tight-tolerance machining and finishing practices
- Ability to independently program, set up, and operate CNC equipment and EDM systems.
- High proficiency with precision measuring tools (micrometers, indicators, gauge blocks, optical comparators).
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
- Ability to lead projects, mentor junior mold makers, and coordinate work with engineering.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with medical injection molds.
- Familiarity with CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks, Mastercam, or Siemens NX.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments
Work Environment
- Precision toolroom within a manufacturing facility.
- Requires standing, lifting up to 50 lbs, and working with machinery, oils, coolants, and fine-detail components.
- Overtime may be required based on production needs.
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