Tool & Die Maker II/III

High-Speed / Progressive Stamping Dies

Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Schedule: Monday–Thursday, 5:55 AM–4:25 PM

Pay: $37–$47/hour, depending on experience

Relocation Assistance: $5,000+ depending on distance

Sign-On Bonus: Available for qualified candidates

A True Toolmaker Position

If you’re an experienced Tool & Die Maker who still enjoys working at the bench, solving difficult tooling problems and making dies run better, this may be worth a look.

We’re recruiting for a precision manufacturing operation in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin that builds and maintains its own high-speed production dies. This isn't a position where an experienced toolmaker simply oversees other people doing the work.

You'll be hands-on—building, fitting, maintaining, troubleshooting and improving progressive stamping dies used in high-volume production.

The operation is growing, with increasing production requirements and new opportunities expected in 2027 and beyond. They need another experienced toolmaker who understands not only how to get a die running, but how to make it run fast, reliably and consistently.

What You'll Be Doing

• Build, assemble, fit, maintain and repair high-speed production dies.
• Troubleshoot progressive stamping dies and identify the root cause of tooling problems.
• Perform precision bench work, machining, fitting and finishing.
• Modify and improve tooling to increase reliability and performance.
• Diagnose recurring die problems and develop improvements that prevent them from coming back.
• Set up and operate toolroom machinery and equipment.
• Monitor die performance and part quality during production.
• Work closely with manufacturing to resolve tooling and production issues.
• Follow established tooling procedures, maintenance practices and documentation requirements.
• Help mentor apprentices and less-experienced toolmakers.

What Matters Most

We're looking for someone with real hands-on Tool & Die experience.

Ideally, you've spent at least five years working with progressive or high-speed stamping dies and are comfortable independently diagnosing, repairing and improving them.

A formal Tool & Die apprenticeship or Journeyman background is valuable, but equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

Most importantly, you should know your way around a die and a toolroom.

Experience with the following is helpful, but you don't need to check every box:

• Progressive and high-speed stamping dies
• Wire EDM
• CNC machining or programming
• CAD
• Welding, brazing or soldering
• Precision machining
• Electrical troubleshooting

If you're a strong bench Tool & Die Maker but haven't programmed a Wire EDM or CNC, don't let that stop you. Those skills can be taught. The experience of actually building, maintaining and troubleshooting dies is much more important.

Tool & Die Maker II vs. III

There is flexibility to hire at either level depending on experience.

A Tool & Die Maker II should be an experienced, proficient toolmaker capable of independently performing the work.

A Tool & Die Maker III brings another level of troubleshooting and continuous improvement—someone who sees the same die returning with the same problem and asks, “Why does this keep happening, and what can I change so we don't have to keep fixing it?”

If root-cause problem solving and making tooling better are naturally how you approach your trade, you'll fit well here.

Why Sturgeon Bay?

The schedule alone is unusual: four 10-hour days, Monday through Thursday.

But Sturgeon Bay and Wisconsin's Door County also offer a lifestyle that can be especially attractive to someone who enjoys having room to get outdoors.

The hiring manager describes living there as feeling like you're “on vacation every weekend.”

The area offers fishing, hunting, boating, hiking and outdoor trails, along with breweries, wineries, restaurants, theater, arts and year-round activities throughout Door County.

If you're currently outside the area, relocation assistance is available, and a sign-on bonus may also be offered for the right candidate.

Compensation & Benefits

• $37–$47/hour, depending on experience and level
• Monday–Thursday schedule
• Overtime available as needed, including occasional Fridays
• $5,000+ relocation assistance depending on relocation distance
• Sign-on bonus available for qualified candidates
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement and continued training opportunities

Interested?

If you're an experienced Tool & Die Maker who wants to stay hands-on, work on challenging high-speed production tooling and have three-day weekends in Door County, I'd like to hear from you.

Send me your resume. I'll take a look and reach out if I see a fit worth discussing.