Tool Maker - Senior Carbide Tool Maker

Pilgrim Aerospace Fasteners is seeking an experienced Senior Carbide Tool Maker for our manufacturing facility in Chandler, Arizona.

This is a highly skilled,
hands-on manual toolroom position focused on manufacturing, grinding, modifying, repairing, and troubleshooting carbide and hardened-steel tooling used in aerospace fastener production.

The ideal candidate is an experienced manual toolmaker or precision grinder who can independently manufacture, repair, and inspect precision tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch
.

If your background is in carbide tooling, tool & die, tool and cutter grinding, precision grinding, or manual precision toolmaking
, we want to speak with you.

• Manufacture, grind, modify, sharpen, repair, and maintain precision carbide and hardened-steel tooling
• Perform precision grinding using manual grinders and toolroom equipment
• Produce and inspect tooling to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch
• Build, repair, and rework dies and other precision production tooling
• Work from blueprints, engineering drawings, dimensions, specifications, existing tooling, and physical samples
• Independently set up and operate manual toolroom equipment, including:
• Surface grinders
• Manual lathes
• Other related toolroom machinery
• Use micrometers, indicators, height gauges, optical comparators, calipers, and other precision inspection equipment
• Inspect completed tooling for dimensional accuracy, geometry, fit, finish, and function
• Troubleshoot worn, damaged, or underperforming tooling and determine the appropriate repair, rework, or dimensional correction
• Perform tool sharpening, fitting, polishing, and precision reworking
• Support precision tooling used in hot- and cold-heading/forging operations for aerospace fastener manufacturing
• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Production to solve tooling and manufacturing problems
• Recommend improvements to tool geometry, materials, design, and manufacturing methods to improve tool life and production performance
• Support urgent tooling repairs when necessary to minimize production downtime

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on experience preferred in tool making, tool & die, carbide tooling, precision grinding, or a closely related precision manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated senior-level capability in manual precision toolmaking and grinding
• Hands-on experience manufacturing, repairing, or reworking tooling used in hot- or cold-heading/forging operations
• Experience machining and/or grinding carbide, hardened tool steel, or similar tooling materials
• Demonstrated ability to manufacture, repair, and troubleshoot precision tooling
• Ability to consistently work to tolerances as tight as 0.0001 inch
• Ability to independently set up and operate manual grinders, mills, and lathes
• Strong blueprint and engineering drawing interpretation skills
• Proficiency using precision measuring and inspection equipment
• Working knowledge of GD&T
• Strong shop math, geometry, and trigonometry skills
• Strong understanding of tool geometry, dimensional relationships, tolerances, and precision fit
• Ability to diagnose tooling problems and determine appropriate corrective action
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision
• High school diploma or equivalent

We are looking for an experienced hands-on toolmaker with strong carbide and precision grinding capability, mechanical aptitude, problem-solving ability, and pride in craftsmanship.

Candidates with backgrounds as a Carbide Tool Maker, Tool & Die Maker, Tool and Cutter Grinder, Precision Grinder, or Manual Precision Toolmaker are encouraged to apply.

You understand how precision tooling works and how it performs in a production environment.

You can take a drawing, worn tool, sample, or tooling requirement and determine how to manufacture, repair, or restore it. You know how to select the appropriate machining or grinding approach, make precision setups, measure your work, make corrections, and deliver a finished tool that performs correctly in production.

You take pride in precision craftsmanship and are comfortable…