Tooling in Mountain Home, Arkansas at Bass Cat & Yar Craft Boats

Job Purpose

Build, modify, maintain, and repair boat plugs, molds, patterns, and related tooling used in fiberglass boat production and new-product development. Work from drawings, models, specifications, and direction from Tooling leadership to produce accurate, durable tooling and high-quality surfaces.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build, modify, maintain, and repair boat plugs, molds, patterns, templates, and related production tooling.
• Perform tooling changes required for current boat models, product improvements, and new-product development.
• Work from drawings, sketches, measurements, models, specifications, and verbal instructions to plan and complete assigned tooling work.
• Coordinate with Tooling leadership, Engineering, Product Development, and Production to confirm requirements, schedules, and expected results.
• Lay out and verify reference points, centerlines, contours, dimensions, and alignment before and during tooling work.
• Construct and shape plugs, molds, fixtures, and supporting structures using appropriate composite, wood, metal, plastic, and filler materials.
• Prepare surfaces by cutting, grinding, sanding, filling, fairing, and polishing to achieve the required shape and finish.
• Apply and work with fiberglass, resins, gelcoat, adhesives, fillers, and other tooling materials according to established processes.
• Make accurate modifications to hull, deck, component, and accessory tooling while protecting critical dimensions and surfaces.
• Fit and assemble tooling components, inserts, flanges, supports, and fixtures using hand and power tools.
• Inspect plugs, molds, and completed tooling for surface quality, symmetry, alignment, dimensions, and conformance to requirements.
• Identify cracks, print-through, distortion, surface damage, wear, or other tooling defects and complete appropriate repairs.
• Repair and refinish molds and plugs to restore production readiness and maintain part quality.
• Conduct fit checks and trial applications as needed, then make adjustments to achieve the required form, fit, and function.
• Support prototype builds, first-part evaluations, mold commissioning, and the introduction of new or revised products into production.
• Assist Production in diagnosing tooling-related quality or fit issues and implement approved corrective actions.
• Use measuring tools, levels, straightedges, templates, gauges, and other inspection equipment to verify work.
• Safely operate saws, grinders, sanders, drills, routers, polishers, spray equipment, and other tools required for composite tooling work.
• Select and prepare materials appropriate for the assigned tooling build, modification, or repair.
• Move, position, support, and secure plugs, molds, and tooling components using approved lifting and material-handling methods.
• Maintain mold edges, parting lines, flanges, radii, and finished surfaces to support safe handling and consistent production parts.
• Protect completed surfaces and surrounding production equipment from damage, dust, overspray, and contamination.
• Follow required cure times, material ratios, application procedures, and temperature or environmental controls.
• Maintain clean and organized work areas and properly store tools, materials, patterns, and tooling components.
• Clean and perform routine care of tools and equipment; report damaged or unsafe equipment promptly.
• Follow all safety procedures and use required personal protective equipment when working with composites, chemicals, dust, and powered equipment.
• Read and follow product labels, safety data sheets, work instructions, and company procedures for tooling materials and processes.
• Communicate progress, material needs, quality concerns, and schedule risks to the Tooling Supervisor or designated team lead.
• Document significant tooling changes, repairs, measurements, and other information as directed.
• Work independently on routine assignments and seek guidance before making changes that could affect product design, fit, or appearance.
• Collaborate with other tooling team members and assist with shared projects to meet production and development priorities.
• Support continuous improvement of tooling methods, durability, repeatability, surface quality, and workflow.
• Complete assigned work accurately and on schedule while maintaining company quality standards.
• Perform other duties, assignments and responsibilities as needed.

Job Details:

• This position requires wearing a respirator - candidate will be REQUIRED to pass a PFT AND be clean shaven at all times.
• All positions are safety sensitive. A safety sensitive position is any position designated in writing by an employer, in which a person performing the position while under the influence of marijuana may constitute a threat to health or safety.

Qualified candidates will be asked to submit to drug testing.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in non-climate controlled environment
• Be able to bend at waist and knees and stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds when necessary to move equipment around in the department.
• This is a safety sensitive position.

When you join our team of Dream Builders, you can join a team that values:

• Growing with a faith-based company that values people, performance, and philanthropy.
• Learning a skilled trade
• Family oriented atmosphere
• Full suite of competitive benefits (medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA)
• 401k Plan with weekly match
• Paid Holiday
• Paid Vacations

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of a position, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. Bass Cat & Yar-Craft Boats engages in an interactive process with applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations.