Apprentice Machine Builder Jobs in Northbrook, IL

Location: Elk Grove Village, IL
Job Type: Full-Time, Direct Hire
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Compensation: $35–$50 per hour, based on experience and qualifications

We are seeking an experienced Toolroom Supervisor – Injection Moldmaking to lead day-to-day toolroom operations while remaining actively involved in hands-on moldmaking.

This is a working leadership position for a skilled Journeyman Moldmaker who has extensive experience with injection molds and is ready to lead a team of tooling professionals. The Toolroom Supervisor will oversee toolroom personnel, prioritize daily work, support production and engineering, manage mold repair and preventive maintenance, and lead mold and fixture build projects.

The ideal candidate must be equally comfortable building and repairing molds, operating and working with precision machining equipment, solving tooling problems, and leading people.

• Direct and manage day-to-day toolroom operations and toolroom personnel.
• Assign, prioritize, and coordinate tooling work based on production and engineering requirements.
• Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop moldmakers, apprentices, and other tooling personnel.
• Delegate work effectively and provide technical direction when required.
• Work closely with Production and Engineering to determine tooling support requirements.
• Coordinate multiple tooling projects and ensure work is completed accurately and within established timelines.
• Ensure team members have the drawings, specifications, materials, tooling, and information necessary to complete assigned work.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and use performance information to identify and drive improvements.
• Determine future personnel, equipment, tooling, and resource requirements and communicate recommendations to site management.
• Manage toolroom supplies and critical spare components to minimize production interruptions while maintaining budget awareness.
• Maintain proper organization, housekeeping, and workflow within the toolroom.
• Support the development of apprenticeship and training programs.
• Mentor apprentices, trainees, and less-experienced moldmakers.

• Build, repair, maintain, modify, and troubleshoot injection molds and related tooling.
• Build injection molds to required dimensions, specifications, tolerances, and production schedules.
• Interpret part drawings, mold drawings, component drawings, specifications, and 3D CAD data.
• Lead and participate in mold build projects from machining and assembly through completion.
• Build assembly and machining fixtures as required.
• Ensure tooling projects are completed according to specifications and established schedules.
• Coordinate project responsibilities and technical requirements with tooling team members.
• Identify technical issues or potential delays early and communicate them to the appropriate project or site leadership.
• Recommend practical solutions when tooling work cannot be completed according to the original specifications or schedule.

• Complete and document injection mold repairs and maintenance activities.
• Analyze mold failures, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions.
• Identify and implement mold improvements to maximize uptime and improve tooling reliability.
• Perform and document preventive maintenance on injection molds.
• Recommend improvements to increase mold longevity and reduce recurring failures.
• Identify when tooling should be repaired, refurbished, modified, or replaced.
• Provide timely tooling support to production to minimize downtime and manufacturing disruptions.

• Coordinate with external tooling vendors to ensure outside tooling work is completed on time and to required quality standards.
• Monitor the quality and timeliness of external tooling repairs, components, and services.
• Work closely with Production and Engineering to address urgent tooling requirements.
• Prioritize toolroom activities based on production needs and business priorities.
• Maintain awareness of critical tooling components and spare parts required to support production.

• Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, organized, and professional toolroom.
• Follow established quality standards and manufacturing procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the toolroom and manufacturing operation.
• Maintain effective working relationships with Production, Engineering, Quality, and other departments.
• Follow company policies, procedures, and Code of Ethics and Conduct.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Journeyman Moldmaker certification or equivalent journeyman-level moldmaking experience.
• Extensive hands-on experience building, repairing, maintaining, and troubleshooting injection molds.
• Proven ability to lead, supervise, mentor, and delegate work to moldmakers and tooling personnel.
• Strong knowledge of injection mold construction, assembly, repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Ability to interpret 3D CAD data, part drawings, mold drawings, component drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Ability to build injection molds accurately to required dimensions, specifications, and tolerances.
• Strong precision measurement skills using micrometers, calipers, gage blocks, and related measuring equipment.
• Hands-on working knowledge of CNC machining, EDM, manual milling, and grinding equipment.
• Functional knowledge of CAD/CAM software and Windows-based computer systems.
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple tooling projects and competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with Production, Engineering, vendors, and other departments.
• Experience with mold preventive maintenance and tooling repair.
• Ability to analyze tooling failures, identify root causes, and implement mold improvements.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and precision machining skills.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication, organizational, planning, and leadership skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a hands-on manufacturing environment and remain technically involved in moldmaking activities.

• $35–$50 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.
• Full-time, direct-hire opportunity.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Paid holidays.
• Paid vacation.
• Personal and sick leave.
• Training and professional development opportunities.
• Opportunities for advancement and internal growth.

The right candidate is a hands-on Journeyman Moldmaker first and a supervisor second.

You should have deep experience with injection mold construction, repair, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and precision machining, combined with the ability to lead a team, prioritize toolroom work, coordinate with production and engineering, and keep tooling projects moving on schedule.

This is an excellent fit for an experienced Toolroom Supervisor, Tooling Supervisor, Lead Moldmaker, Senior Moldmaker, or Journeyman Moldmaker who is ready to take ownership of a toolroom while continuing to work hands-on with molds and tooling.