Machinist

Join the Associated Materials Innovations team at Associated Materials, LLC, and be AMazing with us!

Who We Are

At Associated Materials Innovations, we combine our rich history in innovation with an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement of the customer experience. For decades, we have provided vinyl windows, siding, and metal building products that have helped build homes and communities across North America.

As a leading manufacturer of exterior building products and preferred product manufacturer for Alside, you'll have the opportunity to contribute ideas in a welcoming and supportive work environment driven by safety and our core values. Join the AMI team where you can be AMazing as we shape our future together.

Position Summary :

The Manual Machinist / Tooling Specialist is responsible for the fabrication, repair, modification, maintenance, and sharpening of tooling and components used in the vinyl siding extrusion manufacturing process. This position provides direct machining and tool-room support to Production and Maintenance, with a primary focus on maintaining cut-off dies, knives, blades, tooling, fixtures, and other equipment components necessary to keep extrusion lines operating safely and efficiently.
The Manual Machinist / Tooling Specialist must be capable of independently determining machining methods, selecting appropriate tooling and materials, interpreting drawings and measurements, and producing accurate replacement parts and tooling to support plant operations.

Essential Responsibilities

• Maintain, repair, modify, and rebuild cut-off dies, cut-off tooling, knives, and related components used on vinyl siding extrusion lines.
• Sharpen and maintain cut-off knives, grinder blades, saw blades, and other production tooling to specified dimensions and edge conditions.
• Manufacture replacement parts for extrusion equipment, cut-off systems, tooling, fixtures, guides, shafts, bushings, spacers, pins, sleeves, and other machine components.
• Perform machining and repair work to restore worn or damaged tooling and equipment components to proper operating condition.
• Set up and operate manual engine lathes, mills, surface grinders, drill presses, radial drill presses, and other machine-shop equipment.
• Perform precision grinding operations to maintain required dimensions, surface finish, clearances, and cutting-edge geometry.
• Inspect completed parts and tooling using appropriate measuring equipment, including micrometers, calipers, indicators, height gauges, gauges, and other precision measuring instruments.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, sketches, specifications, and measurements to determine machining requirements.
• Reverse-engineer existing parts when drawings are unavailable by accurately measuring components and determining appropriate materials, dimensions, and machining processes.
• Determine machining sequences and select appropriate tooling, speeds, feeds, grinding methods, and work-holding techniques.
• Assist Maintenance and Production personnel with troubleshooting and repair of extrusion equipment and downstream machinery.
• Support the repair and improvement of cut-off presses, cut-off assemblies, tooling, pullers, cooling tables, pack tables, and other extrusion-line equipment as required.
• Fabricate and modify jigs, fixtures, templates, gauges, and special tooling used in plant operations.
• Make emergency replacement parts and tooling when necessary to minimize production downtime.
• Evaluate worn tooling and components and recommend repair, replacement, or modification based on condition and operating requirements.
• Work closely with Maintenance, Production, Tool & Die, Engineering, and Quality personnel to resolve tooling and equipment problems.
• Maintain accurate dimensions and tolerances to ensure tooling and replacement components perform properly in production.
• Identify abnormal wear, damage, defective material, or equipment conditions and communicate findings to the appropriate Supervisor or Maintenance personnel.
• Assist with development and documentation of machining procedures, tooling standards, maintenance practices, and setup information.
• Maintain machine tools, grinders, tooling, measuring equipment, and the tool-room area in safe and serviceable condition.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area and follow all plant safety requirements, including applicable Lockout/Tagout procedures.
• Perform other machining, fabrication, tooling, and maintenance duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• Minimum of 2 years of experience as a Manual Machinist, Tool & Die Machinist, Toolmaker, or similar position in a manufacturing or machine-shop environment.
• Demonstrated ability to set up and operate engine lathes, manual milling machines, surface grinders, drill presses, radial drill presses, and other conventional machine-shop equipment.
• Strong understanding of manual machining practices, including turning, milling, drilling, boring, grinding, threading, and precision measurement.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, sketches, dimensions, tolerances, and specifications.
• Ability to use precision measuring equipment such as micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, depth gauges, and other inspection equipment.
• Ability to determine machining processes and sequence operations with minimal supervision.
• Ability to fabricate replacement parts from existing components, drawings, samples, or measurements.
• Ability to sharpen and maintain production knives, blades, and cutting tools.
• Ability to work independently while also supporting Maintenance and Production as part of a team.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work safely in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred

• Experience with extrusion equipment and downstream equipment.
• Experience maintaining or repairing cut-off dies and extrusion tooling.
• Experience with precision surface grinding and knife/blade sharpening.
• Experience working with hardened tool steels and other common tooling materials.
• Experience with CNC equipment or CNC programming.
• Experience with welding and basic fabrication.
• Experience with tool and die repair or manufacturing.
• Experience using CAD drawings or basic CAD software.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong mechanical and machining knowledge.
• Precision workmanship and attention to detail.
• Ability to troubleshoot tooling and mechanical problems.
• Ability to determine appropriate machining methods without detailed instructions.
• Ability to work from drawings, samples, measurements, and verbal instructions.
• Ability to recognize tooling wear and determine when components should be repaired, sharpened, modified, or replaced.
• Ability to prioritize work based on production needs and equipment downtime.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and minimizing production downtime.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials, tooling, and machine components as required.
• Ability to work around operating manufacturing equipment, machine tools, grinders, and other industrial equipment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hearing protection, safety footwear, and other PPE as required.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment with exposure to noise, dust, oils, lubricants, metal chips, and other normal industrial conditions.

Performance Expectations

• Produce accurate, high-quality parts and tooling.
• Maintain cut-off dies and tooling in production-ready condition.
• Keep production knives and grinder blades properly sharpened and maintained.
• Respond effectively to urgent tooling and equipment needs.
• Minimize production downtime through timely repair and fabrication of replacement components.
• Maintain accurate dimensions and tolerances.
• Maintain machine tools and the tool room in good working condition.
• Follow all safety and quality requirements.
• Communicate tooling problems and recommended corrective actions to Maintenance and Production leadership.

Work Environment

The atmosphere is that of a manufacturing plant. The position will primarily work where moving machinery produces noise. Employees must wear Personal Protective Equipment that is issued for that location. Temperature can range from extreme cold to extreme heat. Physical demands may include standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, climbing, pushing/pulling, forward bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, squatting, crawling, postural balancing, manipulating, trunk rotation, handling, gripping, and talking (hearing).

Benefits of Working with Associated Materials

• Competitive Wage
• Opportunity for growth
• Long standing business model in a changing market
• Premier company culture
• Medical/Dental/Vision
• 401K Matching
• Paid Time Off, Holiday Pay
• Discount programs

About Us

When you join AMI, you are part of a leading North American manufacturing business of vinyl windows, cladding, metal siding, trim and other essential exterior building products for residential, light commercial and multifamily projects. In 2022, we introduced our composite cladding system, a first-of-its-kind solution featuring exclusive (GP)2 technology. Headquartered in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, AMI is part of Associated Materials, LLC, which owns and operates 10 manufacturing facilities in North America including a distribution center.

Associated Materials Innovations ... Building Products Better

Associated Materials, LLC. provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by local law, regulation, or ordinance. We also make reasonable accommodations for disabled employees and applicants, as required by law.

Additional Information 

The actual wage offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, business needs, geographical location, and internal pay parity. Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. Click to learn more about benefits.