Some toolmakers build molds. Others become the person everyone depends on when the mold doesn’t run, the timeline is slipping or the solution isn’t obvious.
We're looking for an experienced Senior Toolmaker / Mold Designer who still enjoys being a craftsman at the bench building, repairing, improving, and troubleshooting molds, but who also has the experience and judgment to be the person others turn to when difficult tooling challenges arise. This role combines hands-on toolmaking with technical influence, giving you the opportunity to build and modify tooling while helping solve complex tooling challenges, improve mold performance, and share practical knowledge with team members.
This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working at the bench; partnering with production staff to solve mold-performance issues; helping coordinate new mold builds and repairs; sampling new molds and modifications; improving mold and fixture performance; sharing practical tooling knowledge with other team members; designing or aiding in the design of molds, fixtures and modifications; and responding to customer tooling questions when called upon.
Successful team members at our organization enjoy variety, craftsmanship, practical problem solving and shared success. They are self-disciplined, highly skilled, humble, honest, able to prioritize between multiple tasks and willing to step outside of their usual assignments to keep work moving.
*** This is an onsite position that works regularly with in-person staff. ***
About us: Olsen Tool & Plastics is a family-owned, plastic injection molding company with approximately 40 employees. Located in the southwest suburbs of Minneapolis, we are a stable company that has been in business for over 60 years. Our in-house tool room builds molds from simple to sophisticated, supporting both custom molding and our own product lines. We value experienced craftsmanship, practical problem solving, process improvement, dependable execution, and work-life balance.
Scope of Work:
- Build, repair, revise, service, and troubleshoot plastic injection molds, fixtures, and related tooling.
- Serve as a senior troubleshooting resource for mold performance issues at the bench and in the Pressroom.
- Collaborate with Pressroom personnel to identify mechanical mold issues, repair needs, and improvement opportunities.
- Help coordinate new mold builds by understanding build sequence, priorities, timing, and required next steps.
- Set up, program, and operate toolroom equipment and CNC machine tools in a correct and timely manner.
- Plan and lay out work from CAD models, prints, and drawings.
- Design mold components or assist with full mold design using SolidWorks, as needed.
- Participate in the sampling of new and revised tooling and support continuous improvement efforts.
- Occasionally support customer tooling discussions by explaining technical issues, repair needs, or mold-build considerations in a clear and professional manner.
- Prepare tooling components for outside vendor services and coordinate with vendors as needed.
- Help keep tooling projects moving within quoted time and material limits and communicate variances in a timely manner.
- Share tooling knowledge with other Toolroom team members through coaching, training, and hands-on leadership.
Qualifications and Skills:
- 10+ years of experience in plastic injection mold making.
- Strong hands-on experience building, repairing, and troubleshooting complex molds.
- Strong mechanical aptitude, practical problem-solving ability, and sound judgment.
- Experience with CNC machining, setup, and 3-axis programming.
- Ability to read and interpret CAD models, prints, and blueprints.
- Experience with SolidWorks or willingness to apply and grow mold design skills.
- Strong familiarity with the order and sequence of new mold builds.
- Comfortable working directly with Pressroom personnel to resolve tooling issues.
- Able to communicate clearly with coworkers, vendors, and customers when needed.
- Enjoys sharing knowledge, helping develop others, and contributing to a respectful, cooperative team environment.
- Able to work independently with limited supervision while also contributing as a team member.
- Trade school training in toolmaking/machining technology or equivalent experience preferred.
- Exhibits OTP’s values: We are honest. We are humble. We are hardworking.
OTP is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Pay: $45.00 - $53.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Vision insurance
Experience:
- Toolmaker: 5 years (Required)
- Mold Design: 5 years (Required)
Location:
- Chaska, MN 55318 (Required)
Work Location: In person
