Now Hiring: Lead Tool Maker

Location: Vista, CA

 Take the Lead. Master the Craft. Make an Impact.

Are you an experienced Tool Maker who takes pride in precision craftsmanship, solving complex tooling challenges, and keeping production running at its best? Are you ready to lead a talented toolroom team while remaining hands-on with the technical work you enjoy?

We’re looking for an experienced Lead Tool Maker to oversee mold maintenance, troubleshooting, and precision repairs at our Vista, California facility. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned tooling professional who combines advanced technical expertise with strong leadership skills and a commitment to quality.

In this hands-on, player-coach role, you’ll guide and mentor toolmakers, drive preventative maintenance initiatives, and ensure our injection molds operate reliably, efficiently, and to exacting specifications. Your work will directly impact product quality, production uptime, and the long-term performance of our tooling assets.

If you believe in doing the job right the first time and enjoy helping a team reach its full potential, we want to hear from you!

What You’ll Do

Lead Mold Maintenance and Precision Repairs

• Develop and manage preventative maintenance schedules based on shot counts, tool history, and production requirements.
• Diagnose and resolve complex injection mold issues, including flash, venting problems, dimensional inconsistencies, and other tooling defects.
• Perform and oversee precision mold repairs to restore tools to original specifications and minimize production downtime.
• Maintain multi-cavity, hot runner, and high-precision injection molds to maximize tool life and production performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve mold cooling, venting, and ejection systems to enhance part quality and cycle times.
• Manage critical spare parts inventory and coordinate the replacement of high-wear components.

Lead, Coach, and Develop the Team

• Provide day-to-day leadership, technical guidance, and hands-on training to toolmakers and apprentices.
• Coordinate toolroom workflow and prioritize repairs based on production needs.
• Partner with the Director of Manufacturing to communicate tooling priorities, production concerns, and maintenance requirements.
• Promote a culture of craftsmanship, accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.

Drive Quality, Safety, and Continuous Improvement

• Maintain accurate tooling maintenance records, repair histories, and tool life documentation in the IQMS system.
• Identify ways to reduce scrap, prevent recurring tooling issues, and improve manufacturing efficiency.
• Enforce safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, machine guarding, and safe crane and hoist operation.
• Encourage an owner’s mindset by helping the team understand how quality tooling practices contribute to company performance and profitability.

What You Bring to the Team

• 10+ years of toolmaking experience, including at least 3 years in a lead, supervisory, or team leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in maintaining and repairing multi-cavity, hot runner, and high-precision injection molds.
• Advanced manual machining skills, including experience with lathes, mills, grinders, and specialized tooling repair techniques.
• Ability to interpret complex tool drawings, blueprints, and CAD files.
• Experience using ERP or manufacturing systems to document maintenance activities and track tooling history. IQMS experience is preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Proven ability to train, mentor, and motivate team members.
• Excellent attention to detail and a commitment to precision, quality, and safe work practices.
• Ability to prioritize multiple repairs and respond effectively to changing production demands.

Physical Requirements

This is a hands-on manufacturing role requiring the ability to:

• Lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently.
• Stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the toolroom and manufacturing floor.
• Perform detailed precision work requiring strong hand-eye coordination and close visual inspection.
• Safely operate manual and CNC toolroom equipment and, as qualified, forklifts and overhead cranes.
• Work around industrial machinery, moderate noise, coolants, lubricants, and cleaning solvents while following all safety and PPE requirements.

Why This Opportunity?

• Make a meaningful impact: Help improve tooling reliability, product quality, and manufacturing performance.
• Put your expertise to work: Take ownership of complex injection mold maintenance and repair challenges.
• Lead from the floor: Stay hands-on while mentoring and developing the next generation of toolmaking talent.
• Drive continuous improvement: Identify solutions that reduce downtime, improve efficiency, and extend tool life.
• Build a stronger team: Foster a culture where craftsmanship, accountability, and quality matter.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re a seasoned Tool Maker who combines technical excellence with leadership ability, this is your opportunity to take ownership of a critical manufacturing function and make a lasting impact.

Apply today! We look forward to connecting with you.