Tool & Die Technician - Casting

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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITIONS:

• Follow and enforce all plant safety, environmental, and housekeeping (5S) policies and procedures, including strict compliance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements and safe material handling practices.
• Understand, support, and promote Magna's philosophies, including the Magna Operational Principles, Corporate Constitution, and Employee's Charter.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on dies, molds, trim dies, fixtures, and auxiliary tooling to ensure maximum equipment reliability, product quality, and production efficiency.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and optimize tooling issues during production and scheduled maintenance, both in and out of the die casting machines, minimizing downtime and supporting production requirements.
• Perform die changes, startups, shutdowns, and new tooling tryouts while ensuring proper setup, alignment, and functionality up to technical specifications (Technical Manual).
• Modify dies, tooling, fixtures, and related equipment to incorporate engineering changes, improve manufacturability, increase tool life, reduce scrap, and improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD models, blueprints, GD&T, sketches, specifications, and technical manuals to perform tooling repairs, fabrication, and precision machining.
• Set up and operate tool room equipment including manual lathes, milling machines, drill presses, surface grinders, band saws, pedestal grinders, and precision measuring equipment.
• Perform TIG, MIG, and Arc welding, heat treatment, machining, polishing, fitting, grinding, and bench work required for tooling repair and fabrication.
• Inspect and verify repaired or newly manufactured tooling using precision measuring instruments to ensure compliance with engineering specifications, tolerances, clearances, alignments, and quality standards.
• Install, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain tooling systems including hydraulic, pneumatic, cooling, lubrication, and mechanical components associated with die casting tooling.
• Safely operate forklifts, overhead cranes, hoists, and rigging equipment during die handling, installation, maintenance, and transportation.
• Support Die Casting Operations by responding quickly to production issues, identifying root causes of tooling failures, and implementing permanent corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
• Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, TPM, SMED, and waste reduction initiatives to improve safety, quality, productivity, equipment reliability, and tooling performance.
• Analyze tooling wear patterns and recommend preventive actions, design improvements, replacement schedules, and spare parts inventory requirements to maximize tooling life.
• Maintain accurate preventive maintenance records, tooling history, repair documentation, engineering changes, and maintenance reports within the company's maintenance management system.
• Ensure compliance with quality standards, control plans, PFMEA requirements, work instructions, and customer-specific requirements while producing high-quality tooling and components.
• Train, mentor, and support operators, apprentices, and new employees on tooling operation, troubleshooting, safe work practices, quality requirements, and preventive maintenance procedures.
• Collaborate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, Maintenance, Process Engineering, and suppliers to resolve tooling issues, support new product launches, and improve manufacturing performance.
• Recommend tooling design improvements, equipment modifications, cost reduction opportunities, and process enhancements to improve safety, quality, maintainability, and operational efficiency.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and audit-ready tool room through effective 5S practices and proper care of company tools, equipment, and measuring devices.
• Perform all other duties and responsibilities as assigned in support of departmental and organizational objectives.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

SKILL (Ability to do the job)

• Strong knowledge of aluminum die casting processes, trim die operations, and tooling functions.
• Ability to set up, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and restore tooling to original specifications.
• Proficient in operating manual tool room equipment, precision measuring instruments, and machine shop equipment.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, CAD data, and technical documentation.
• Experience performing TIG and Arc welding for tooling repair and modification.
• Skilled in sanding, polishing, stoning, highlighting, and correcting tooling surface conditions to meet customer quality requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for tooling and press-related issues, including identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Knowledge of preventive maintenance practices and tooling restoration techniques.
• Forklift certification and overhead crane experience preferred.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Core Competencies

• Strong mechanical aptitude with excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while making sound technical decisions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills with strong attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Maintenance teams.
• Willingness to adapt to changing priorities, learn new technologies, and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ability to perform manual work, including lifting and handling heavy tooling components safely.
• Willingness to work overtime, flexible schedules, and a rotating 2-2-3 shift schedule as required.PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  Some of the physical demands of this position include lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Moving toolboxes around and lifting and standing for extended periods of time.

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

  Some of the physical demands of this position include lifting in excess of 40 pounds. Moving toolboxes around and lifting and standing for extended periods of time.

• EQUIPMENT / TOOLS USED

  Some of the equipment and tools used for the job are a lathe, mills, surface grinders, mig welder. Arc welder, tig welder, hand tools, hand grinder, band saw, cut off saw, drill presses of all sizes, ­­­­­­heat treat equipment, cranes, and tow motors.

KNOWLEDGE

EDUCATION:  High School Diploma or GED equivalent required: 2-year from a technical college or minimum 5 years experience in a heavy industrial manufacturing facility

• Associate degree (2-year) in Tool & Die Technology, Machining, Manufacturing Technology, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of three (3) years of hands-on experience as a Tool & Die Technician, Toolmaker, or equivalent position in a high-volume manufacturing environment; die casting experience preferred.
• Experience with aluminum trim dies, die setup, die repair, and steel entry standards is preferred.

TECHNICAL TRAINING: 

OTHER:  Journeyman certification is preferred: general knowledge of troubleshooting, materials and methods, machines and tools, and practical application of engineering science. Computer knowledge and CNC or EDM and Tig welding but not required; CAD/Blueprint reading and shop math; die building experience is a plus, but not necessary. Basic knowledge in automation.

WORK EXPERIENCE

WHAT TYPES?  Tool & Die background in a manufacturing environment; journeyman experience preferred, job shop, hands on; Die Casting background. Welding experience, die construction, basic machining (milling, grinding, turning), sharpening cutting edges, reworking form steels, tig welding, mig welding, arc welding

HOW MUCH?  Minimum 4 years

At Magna, we believe that a diverse workforce is critical to our success. That’s why we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We hire on the basis of experience and qualifications, and in consideration of job requirements, regardless of, in particular, color, ancestry, religion, gender, origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability or gender identity. Magna takes the privacy of your personal information seriously. We discourage you from sending applications via email or traditional mail to comply with GDPR requirements and your local Data Privacy Law.

As part of our commitment to a fair, consistent, and efficient recruitment process, we may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the initial screening of applications submitted through our Workday system. These tools help identify qualifications and experience that align with the role requirements. Please note that AI is used solely to support our recruiters. Final decisions are always made by the hiring manager and the hiring team. Importantly, no applicant data is shared externally through these AI tools. All information remains securely within our systems and is handled in accordance with our privacy and data protection policies.

If you have any questions or concerns about this process, feel free to contact our Talent Attraction team.