Senior Tool & Die Machinist (Itasca, IL)

ABOUT THE COMPANY

An established specialty chemical manufacturer with a production facility in Itasca, IL, part of a larger global organization. The plant runs its own tool room, where toolmakers build and maintain the precision dies and tooling that keep production running.

ROLE OVERVIEW

Job Title: Senior Tool & Die Machinist

Location: Itasca, IL (100% on-site)

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM (first shift)

Overtime: Available when production requires it; weekend work is rare

Experience: 5+ years in tool and die making or precision machining

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Team: Small first-shift tool room; you would join an experienced toolmaker

Base Salary: $85,000 to $100,000 per year, based on experience

Benefits: Annual bonus, 401(k) with company match, paid time off

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

The company is building out its tool room and wants an experienced toolmaker who can take ownership of its precision dies. These dies are held to tolerances measured in thousandths of an inch, so the company is looking for someone who has made and maintained tooling at that level and takes pride in getting it right.

You would work alongside a veteran toolmaker with deep knowledge of the plant's tooling, report directly to the Engineering Manager, and have a clear path to grow into a lead role as the team expands.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Build, repair, modify, and maintain precision dies, tooling, and fixtures used in production

- Run manual machines daily, including lathes, Bridgeport-style mills, surface grinders, and other grinders

- Hold tight tolerances on die work and verify dimensions with precision measuring tools

- Work from a prioritized ticket and maintenance-log system, managing your own queue without daily direction

- Troubleshoot tooling issues on the production floor to minimize downtime and protect product quality

- Read and interpret blueprints, engineering drawings, and GD&T requirements

- Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, Maintenance, and Quality to solve production issues

- Support new product introductions and tooling qualification

- Lead or join continuous improvement projects of your choosing to improve safety, quality, and reliability

REQUIREMENTS

Must-Haves:

- 5+ years of tool and die making or precision machining

- Strong manual machining: lathe, manual mill, surface grinder

- Experience making and maintaining precision dies

- Ability to hold tolerances in the thousandths of an inch

- Blueprint, engineering drawing, and GD&T reading

- Self-directed: prioritizes and works tickets independently

- High school diploma or equivalent

- Able to lift up to 50 lbs and safely operate machine tools

Nice-to-Haves:

- Completed Tool & Die apprenticeship or journeyman card

- Progressive stamping dies and metal forming

- EDM experience

- CNC machining or programming

- High-volume manufacturing environment

- Experience with a work-order or maintenance ticket system

Note on Industry Experience: Chemical industry experience is not required. The company is open to toolmakers from any manufacturing background, including automotive, aerospace, plastics, metal stamping, and job shops, as long as you have solid die-making and precision machining skills. No specific certifications are required.

CULTURE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a small, hands-on tool room where your work is visible and valued. You report directly to the Engineering Manager, with no layers in between, and you are trusted to manage your own priorities from the ticket queue.

The Engineering Manager keeps continuous improvement open to everyone: if you see something on the floor you can make better, you are encouraged to take it on and learn new skills along the way. Growth runs from senior toolmaker to tool room lead.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Base Salary: $85,000 to $100,000 per year, based on experience

Bonus: Annual bonus program

401(k): With company match

Paid Time Off: Yes

Overtime: Available when production requires it

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Work Model: On-site, five days per week

ABOUT THE COMPANY

The company is an established specialty chemical manufacturer and part of a larger global organization. Its Itasca, IL facility supports manufacturing operations with an in-house tool room, maintenance team, and engineering group, giving toolmakers direct access to the people and production lines their work supports.

Location: Itasca, IL

Industry: Specialty chemical manufacturing

Ownership: Part of a global, publicly traded organization

HOW TO APPLY

This is a confidential search managed exclusively by Pave Talent. The company name will be disclosed to qualified candidates who are selected for an interview.