Tool & Die Maker : Non-Journeyperson

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Non-Journeyperson role at Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee‑owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives, and our teamwork enables us to accomplish any challenge. We are proud to be one of the largest employee‑owned automotive companies in North America, and our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) provides a valuable retirement benefit that grows throughout your career.

Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs dies, die components, and tooling used in the production process. Analyzes specifications, lays out metal stock, and sets up and operates machine tools to make and repair dies.

• Study specifications such as blueprints, sketches, models, or descriptions, and visualize product to determine materials required and machines to be used to fabricate parts.
• Compute dimensions, plan layout, and determine assembly method and sequence of operations.
• Measure, mark, and scribe metal stock for machining.
• Set up and operate machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, shapers, and grinders to machine parts, and verify conformance of machined parts to specifications.
• Lift machined parts and position and secure parts on surface plate or worktable.
• Smooth flat and contoured surfaces using power grinders and fit and assemble parts together and into assemblies and mechanisms.
• Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances.
• Heat‑treat tools or parts.
• Examine standard or previously used dies, tools, jigs, and fixtures, and recommend design modifications regarding construction and function of part.
• Troubleshoot tooling analysis and resolve problems to obtain the quality level of parts.
• Follow all safety precautions and company policies to prevent injury to self and others.
• Utilize calipers, micrometers, gauge pins and blocks, and various other types of measurement equipment.

This will be a W Shift / 5 AM – 3:30 PM M‑TH position located at our plant in Pontiac, MI.

Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.

• High school diploma or equivalent (required).
• Journeyman or completed apprenticeship (preferred).
• Must have minimum 2+ years of verifiable tool and die experience or equivalent.
• Mastercam and Solid Works experience (preferred).
• Must have intermediate level of machining and metal‑working experience.
• Strong mechanical and shop math aptitude (preferred).
• Must be able to understand and follow written and verbal workplace instructions.
• Must be able to work up to 12 hours per day, including Saturday and Sunday, and must be able to obtain a hi‑lo license.

We’re excited to offer a range of awesome benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company‑paid Short‑Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, voluntary life and long‑term disability options, an Employer 401(k) match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off. While these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role.

The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.