Tooling Technician

Quick Snapshot

Starting Pay: $17.60/hour
Potential Earnings: Additional wage increases plus Perfect Attendance Bonuses
Schedule: Monday-Friday | 6:00 AM-2:30 PM
Location: Kalkaska, MI
Employment Type: Full-Time
Experience Level: Entry-Level to Experienced
Industry: Tool & Die | Industrial Manufacturing | Forging

Keep the Tools That Keep Production Running

Ambient Recruiting is partnering with a respected Northern Michigan manufacturer that produces forged steel products used throughout the construction, roofing, HVAC, agriculture, and industrial industries. We're hiring a Tooling Technician to help maintain, repair, and prepare the tooling that keeps production operating safely and efficiently.
If you're mechanically inclined, enjoy working with tools, and like solving hands-on problems, this is an excellent opportunity to build specialized skills in tool maintenance and industrial manufacturing while joining a company that invests in employee growth.

What You'll Be Doing

In this position, you'll:

• Change trim dies in production presses
• Disassemble, inspect, clean, and reassemble tooling
• Sharpen and maintain trim dies to ensure quality production
• Operate hand grinders and other shop equipment
• Safely operate forklifts and engine hoists
• Perform proper lockout/tagout procedures during tooling changes
• Assist with preventative maintenance on production tooling
• Organize, stage, and prepare tooling for production runs
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment
• Support production teams by minimizing tooling downtime

What We're Looking For

Successful candidates typically have:

• Mechanical aptitude or previous tool maintenance experience preferred
• Manufacturing, industrial, maintenance, automotive, or mechanical experience is a plus
• Comfortable using hand tools and power tools
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality
• Ability to troubleshoot basic mechanical issues
• Reliable attendance and strong work ethic
• High school diploma or GED
• Willingness to learn specialized tooling and forging processes

Benefits May Include

Benefits vary by employer but may include:

• Competitive starting pay
• Weekly pay
• Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k)
• Paid on-the-job training
• Cross-training and career advancement opportunities
• Stable, full-time employment

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

• Starting pay of $17.60/hour
• Monday-Friday first shift schedule with weekends free
• Learn valuable tool and die maintenance skills
• Specialized mechanical position with long-term career potential
• $0.50/hour raise after your 90-day probationary period
• Additional $0.50/hour raises after 6 months and again after 1 year
• Earn a $25 per day Perfect Attendance Bonus (paid weekly) after your probationary period
• Join a company that promotes from within and rewards employees who continue learning

Real Talk

This role combines mechanical troubleshooting with hands-on manufacturing support. You'll spend your day changing tooling, sharpening dies, maintaining production equipment, and making sure everything is ready for the next production run. Success comes from staying organized, thinking mechanically, and taking pride in keeping production running smoothly. If you enjoy fixing things and learning new technical skills, this is a career with plenty of room to grow.