Job Description

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Tool & Die Maker to join our team in a hands-on role within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will be responsible for manufacturing, repairing, modifying, and maintaining tooling, dies, fixtures, jigs, and machine components to ensure precise fit, performance, and production reliability.

Responsibilities

  • Diagnose machine errors, part defects, and tooling issues; resolve problems and document technical activities.
  • Set up and operate manual machinery, including lathes, milling machines, and surface grinders.
  • Manufacture, alter, and repair assembly machine components, tooling, dies, fixtures, and jigs.
  • Assemble, disassemble, file, grind, smooth, and polish parts to achieve an exact fit.
  • Verify part dimensions and test finished tools to ensure they meet specifications.
  • Layout, construct, and repair machine parts, components, and related machinery.
  • Make tools and dies from simple sketches or sample parts and envision the complete die.
  • Maintain complete and accurate records for each die.
  • Use shop equipment, machine tools, and precision measuring instruments.
  • Perform a wide range of machining operations requiring setups and operating methods to achieve prescribed dimensional tolerances.
  • Inspect dies after each use and replace or repair die components as required.
  • Make and/or assist with die setup and provide technical guidance to set up personnel when needed.

Requirements

  • Minimum 3 years of proven Tool & Die Making experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of manufacturing experience.
  • Strong knowledge of shop math, geometry, and trigonometry.
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, sketches, and specifications.
  • Skilled in using micrometers, calipers, gauges, and other precision measuring instruments.
  • Experience operating manual machine tools, including lathes, mills, and surface grinders.
  • Experience with tooling, die, fixture, and jig manufacturing and repair.
  • Ability to work to tight dimensional tolerances and exact specifications.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to safely use hand tools and shop equipment.
  • Ability to lift and handle heavy components and materials.
  • Apprenticeship, technical training, or community college certificate preferred.
  • Strong commitment to workplace safety and proper use of PPE.
  • Technical Trade Certification, Apprenticeship, associate degree, or equivalent hands-on experience.
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Green Card Holder due to ITAR/Export Control Requirements.

Benefits

  • 401k
  • Health Insurance
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • PTO

Additional Information

  • Full-Time, Monday–Friday, 6:45 AM – 3:15 PM
  • Union Position

Benefits

401k
Health Insurance
Dental
Vision
PTO

How this job compares in Metuchen, NJ

Pay in context

At roughly $38/hr, this posting lands within a few percent of the $35/hr median for welding jobs across New Jersey, whose middle half runs $29–$40/hr across 108 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 58% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. In other words it is a market-rate offer, so benefits, overtime, and shift schedule are where the real difference between this and the next posting on the list shows up.

The local market in Metuchen, NJ

This is the only active welding job we're currently tracking in Metuchen, NJ, which makes it worth moving on quickly — there is no local competing offer to weigh it against. Across New Jersey as a whole we're tracking 174 other active welding openings from 111 employers. Browse welding jobs across New Jersey.

The most active employers in New Jersey at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are gpac (15), Gpac (10), and Carvana (6). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within New Jersey, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Northvale at $40/hr, Newark at $35/hr, and Totowa at $34/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Metuchen, NJ

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Manufacturing Machinist Tool & Die Maker figures were last recalculated when this page was built.