Tool & Die Maker in Ixonia, Wisconsin at K&S Manufacturing

K&S Manufacturing is a privately held, financially sound and growing company seeking a Tool and Die Maker to join our team. We are seeking an experienced Journeyman Tool & Die Maker to support a metal stamping operation. This position is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, modifying, and improving progressive dies and other stamping tools to ensure reliable production, consistent part quality, and minimal downtime.

This is a full-time position located in Ixonia Wisconsin, on 1st shift (5am-2pm), in a 100% air-conditioned facility.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and modify progressive dies, compound dies, forming dies, and other metal stamping tooling.
• Diagnose and correct die-related production issues, including misfeeds, part defects, burrs, dimensional variation, die wear, and premature tool failure.
• Perform emergency die repairs and adjustments to minimize press downtime and safely restore production.
• Disassemble, inspect, repair, fit, reassemble, and verify stamping dies to ensure proper operation.
• Perform preventive maintenance, scheduled die inspections, and component replacements to extend tooling life and improve reliability.
• Support stamping press setups, die changes, die tryouts, and production startups in coordination with press operators and production personnel.
• Troubleshoot press and die interactions, including feed alignment, strip progression, shut height, clearances, and part ejection.
• Sharpen punches, dies, and cutting components; replace worn or damaged tooling components as needed.
• Identify and correct causes of excessive scrap, burr formation, dimensional issues, and inconsistent forming.
• Operate tool room equipment, including surface grinders, mills, lathes, and other precision machining equipment.
• Perform precision fitting, grinding, polishing, spotting, bench work, and hand finishing to meet tooling specifications.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, die layouts, tooling prints, GD&T, and part specifications.
• Use precision measuring instruments to verify tooling dimensions and ensure components meet required tolerances.
• Collaborate with production, engineering, quality, and maintenance teams to resolve recurring tooling and stamping process problems
• Recommend and implement tooling improvements to increase press uptime, improve part quality, reduce scrap, and lower maintenance costs.
• Assist with new die builds, engineering changes, tool modifications, and production launch activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate records of die maintenance, repairs, modifications, inspections, and recurring tooling issues.
• Follow established lockout/tagout procedures, machine guarding requirements, and all applicable safety policies.
• Maintain an organized tool room and ensure tooling is properly stored, identified, and maintained.

Qualifications Required

• Completed Tool & Die Maker apprenticeship or equivalent journeyman-level training and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of hands-on tool and die experience in a metal stamping manufacturing environment.
• Extensive experience repairing, maintaining, and troubleshooting progressive stamping dies.
• Strong understanding of stamping die construction, operation, clearances, feed systems, and common failure modes.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose tooling-related production problems and implement effective corrective actions.
• Proficiency operating manual mills, lathes, surface grinders, and precision measuring equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, die prints, GD&T, and part specifications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude, precision fitting skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize urgent production needs, and manage multiple repair projects.
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate effectively with production, engineering, and quality personnel.
• Commitment to safe work practices and consistent product quality.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position, including standing, walking, bending, reaching, and working at machines or workbenches for extended periods.
• Ability to handle tooling components using appropriate lifting equipment and safe material-handling practices.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment while wearing required personal protective equipment.

Qualifications Preferred

• Experience supporting high-volume metal stamping operations.
• Experience with a variety of stamping presses and progressive die configurations.
• Experience with new die tryouts, die prove-outs, and production launch support.
• Knowledge of die design principles, strip layouts, press setup requirements, and tooling optimization.
• Experience with CNC machining, CNC programming, wire EDM, and CAD/CAM systems.
• Experience with root-cause analysis, corrective action, and continuous improvement methods.
• Ability to mentor less experienced toolmakers and assist with training apprentices.