Tool Maker | Muskegon, MI

Salary Range: $57,000 - $89,000 depending on experience

Are you a meticulous professional with a passion for precision tooling and creating high-quality dies and molds? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We are collaborating with companies in Muskegon seeking experienced Tool Makers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

The Opportunity

We collaborate with manufacturing companies in the Muskegon region seeking Tool Makers. These employers partner with us because they want real insight into candidates—not just resumes. By joining our network, you gain access to roles worth considering.

Key Responsibilities

• Interprets blueprints, sketches, and 3D models to determine tooling requirements and fabrication methods.
• Operates a variety of machine tools, including lathes, mills, grinders, and EDM machines, to produce precision components.
• Sets up and performs complex machining operations, selecting appropriate tools, speeds, and feeds.
• Inspects finished tools and dies using precision measuring instruments to ensure dimensional accuracy and quality.
• Troubleshoots and repairs existing tooling, identifying root causes of failure and implementing corrective actions.
• Assembles, fits, and adjusts parts to create complete tools, dies, jigs, and fixtures.
• Collaborates with engineers and production staff to optimize tool design and manufacturing processes.

Recommended Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; completion of an accredited apprenticeship program or equivalent experience preferred
• 5+ years of experience as a Tool Maker in a manufacturing environment
• Proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings
• Expertise in operating manual and CNC machine tools, including lathes, mills, grinders, and EDMs
• Strong understanding of metallurgy, heat treatment, and various tool steels
• Ability to use a wide range of precision measuring instruments and perform intricate inspections

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with CAD/CAM software for tool design and programming.
• Familiarity with EDM and/or grinding processes.
• Certification in a related field (e.g., CNC Machining, Metrology).
• Ability to interpret and work from 3D models.
• Experience with lean manufacturing principles.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Tool and Die Maker, Die Maker, Mold Maker, Precision Machinist, CNC Tool Maker, Journeyman Tool Maker, Prototype Tool Maker, Metal Fabricator, Machine Builder, Jig Maker

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who've been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic—they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out at https://www.thepivotgroup.org. The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search—market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we'll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.