Contract Toolmaker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Toolmaker / Prototype Fabrication Technician is responsible for the design, fabrication, assembly, maintenance, and troubleshooting of molds, tools, jigs, fixtures, prototypes, parts, and diagnostic devices used in product development and manufacturing operations. This role serves as a key technical contributor on cross-functional product development teams, providing expert machining, fabrication, and tooling knowledge to support the design, testing, and production of innovative products. The position requires strong CNC and manual machining skills, proficiency with CAD software, and the ability to evaluate and verify work using advanced metrology equipment.

This role plays a vital part in bringing new IDEXX products to life by transforming concepts and designs into functional prototypes, tools, and manufacturing solutions. Through expert machining, fabrication, and problem-solving, the position helps accelerate product development, ensure product quality, and support efficient manufacturing processes, ultimately enabling IDEXX to deliver innovative diagnostics and technologies to customers worldwide.

• Collaborate with engineering, product development, manufacturing, and quality teams throughout the product development lifecycle, providing practical manufacturing and fabrication expertise to improve product design, functionality, and manufacturability.

• Participate as an active member of cross-functional product development teams, contributing recommendations for tooling, materials, fabrication methods, and prototype construction.

• Build, modify, troubleshoot, and refine prototypes of new and existing products to support development, testing, and validation activities.

• Design, fabricate, assemble, and maintain molds, tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, diagnostic devices, and other specialized equipment to support engineering and manufacturing needs.

• Program, set up, and operate Computer Numerical Control (CNC) milling machines and lathes to produce precision components in accordance with engineering specifications and drawings.

• Operate a variety of manual machining and fabrication equipment, including mills, lathes, saws, grinders, plasma cutters, drill presses, and other precision manufacturing equipment.

• Select appropriate materials, tooling, machining strategies, and fabrication techniques to achieve quality, performance, and cost objectives.

• Interpret engineering drawings, technical specifications, schematics, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) requirements to manufacture high-quality components.

• Inspect and verify fabricated parts using computer-controlled Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMMs), calipers, micrometers, indicators, height gauges, and other precision metrology equipment.

• Analyze inspection data and make necessary adjustments to machining processes, programs, tooling, or setups to ensure dimensional accuracy and compliance with specifications.

• Conduct functional testing and validation of components, fixtures, tooling, and prototype assemblies to confirm performance and design requirements are met.

• Create, maintain, and revise technical documentation, manufacturing drawings, work instructions, inspection records, and design files utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software.

• Maintain organized project records, tooling documentation, and revision-controlled design files to support product development and manufacturing processes.

• Troubleshoot machining, tooling, prototype, and equipment issues, identifying root causes and implementing effective corrective actions.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, efficiency, manufacturability, and process optimization.

• Ensure compliance with all safety procedures, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and company policies while maintaining a clean and organized work environment.

• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned.

• Associate degree, technical certification, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in Toolmaking, Machining Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or a related field preferred.

• Several years of experience in precision machining, toolmaking, prototype fabrication, CNC programming, or a related manufacturing environment.

• Experience supporting product development, engineering prototyping, or custom tooling projects preferred.

• Strong knowledge of machining principles, fabrication methods, tooling design, and manufacturing processes.

• Proficiency in CNC programming, setup, and operation of milling machines and lathes.

• Experience operating manual machining and fabrication equipment.

• Proficiency with CAD software for creating models, drawings, and documentation.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, and GD&T requirements.

• Knowledge of metrology principles and experience using CMMs and precision measuring instruments.

• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.

• Excellent attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced development environment.

• Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to collaborate across functional teams.