Job Title Tool & Die Maker – Progressive Stamping Dies Department Operations
Reports To Plant Manager FLSA Status Non -Exempt
Location Endicott, NY Schedule First Shift
Revision Date 07/22/2026 Previous Revisions $35-$45 per hour depending on experience, skills, and qualifications
Job Description Summary:
The Tool & Die Maker is responsible for building, troubleshooting, maintaining, repairing, and optimizing progressive stamping dies used in the manufacture of precision metal components. This position plays a critical role in ensuring tooling reliability, dimensional accuracy, production efficiency, and continuous improvement of stamping operations. The successful candidate will work closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, and Maintenance teams to support new tool development, tool modifications, preventive maintenance, and root cause analysis of tooling-related issues.
Company Introduction
Amphenol Industrial Operations, headquartered in Endicott, New York, with global manufacturing, design, sales, and marketing locations, specializes in delivering a comprehensive range of high-reliability power and signal connectors along with interconnection systems designed specifically for harsh environments and high performance. Our solutions cater to diverse, high-growth industrial sectors such as alternative energy, energy storage, hyperscale datacom, telecom, rail and mass transit, electric and hybrid vehicles, transportation, factory automation, robotics, and heavy equipment.
Our product portfolio addresses modern power and signal requirements and emerging system technology needs encompassing high-amperage power interconnects utilizing proprietary RADSOK® contact technology, ruggedized circular, rectangular interconnects and board level contacts (GT, AC, PT, Amphe-Lite, Radsert, PowerBlok, SurLok Plus, ePower, UPC, H4 Plus, and more), advanced power distribution including value-add box builds, custom-engineered cable assemblies and overmolded harnesses. With a dedicated team of over 2500 skilled staff operating across a growing international footprint—including eight key manufacturing sites in North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East providing localization for our customer base. Amphenol Industrial Operations consistently meets the highest global standards of quality, product performance, design capabilities, and regionalized technical and sales support.
Amphenol Industrial Operations proudly operates as a business unit of Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH), a global leader in the electronics revolution, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut.
www.amphenol-industrial.com
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain progressive stamping dies to minimize downtime and maximize tool life.
- Perform die sharpening, component replacement, alignment, and reassembly activities.
- Analyze tooling wear patterns and implement corrective actions to improve performance and longevity.
- Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance on tooling systems.
- Set up and validate dies in stamping presses during tool trials and production launches.
- Modify existing tooling to support engineering changes, quality improvements, and cost reduction initiatives.
- Troubleshoot stamping defects including burrs, dimensional issues, misfeeds, strip progression problems, and material-related concerns.
- Work closely with Quality and Engineering to investigate root causes and implement permanent corrective actions.
- Maintain tooling documentation, maintenance records, spare component inventories, and setup instructions.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on OEE, scrap reduction, uptime, and tooling reliability.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, quality, and environmental requirements.
- Mentor team as needed.
Qualifications:
Education & Experience Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Journeyman Tool & Die Maker certification, apprenticeship completion, or equivalent experience preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of experience building and maintaining progressive stamping dies.
- Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments preferred.
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of progressive die design and operation.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T.
- Proficiency in precision fitting, grinding, polishing, and tool assembly techniques.
- Experience working with tool steels, carbide, coated tooling, and wear components.
- Knowledge of strip layouts, die clearances, punch-to-die relationships, and die timing.
- Experience operating tool room equipment such as:
- Surface grinders
- Jig grinders
- CNC mills
- EDM (wire and sinker)
- Manual mills and lathes
- Ability to use precision inspection equipment:
- Micrometers
- Calipers
- Optical comparators
- Height gages
- CMMs (preferred)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with connector, automotive, electronics, or precision metal stamping industries.
- Knowledge of servo-feed systems and high-speed stamping operations.
- CAD experience utilizing SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD.
- Experience with ERP systems and tooling maintenance tracking software.
- Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement experience.
- Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, and root cause analysis methodologies.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Excellent mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tooling issues.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate across Engineering, Production, Quality, and Maintenance functions.
- Strong troubleshooting capability in fast-paced manufacturing environments.
Physical/Environmental Requirements:
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, sit, stand; walk; and use hands to handle, or feel. Must be able to sit and/or stand for long periods of time. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. Occasional overtime and weekend work may be required to support production demands.
- Disclaimer: This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management
