Tool & Die Specialist

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Tool and Die Specialist to join the Kaiser Aluminum team in Chandler Arizona at our aluminum extrusion plant!

The Tool and Die Specialist is responsible for the design, development, maintenance, repair, optimization, and continuous improvement of tooling used in seamless aluminum extrusion and drawn tube manufacturing operations. This role provides technical support to production, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams by ensuring tooling is available, properly maintained, and performing to established standards for safety, quality, productivity, and cost. The Tooling Specialist serves as the subject matter expert for extrusion and drawing tooling, leading tooling diagnostics, repair decisions, and improvement initiatives while supporting operational excellence and future process development.

What you will work on:

Tool Design & Development

• Design, modify, and improve tooling used in seamless aluminum extrusion and drawn tube manufacturing, including dies, mandrels, draw plugs, sizing tools, support tooling, and associated components.
• Develop tooling solutions to support new product introductions and process improvements.
• Create and maintain tooling drawings, specifications, and records.
• Evaluate tooling performance and recommend design modifications to improve quality, productivity, and tool life.
• Support implementation of new tooling technologies and best practices.

Tooling Repair & Diagnostics

• Perform detailed inspections and diagnostics on tooling to identify wear, damage, dimensional deviations, and performance issues.
• Determine tooling repair requirements and make repair versus replacement decisions.
• Coordinate and perform tooling repairs, refurbishment activities, and qualification inspections.
• Investigate tooling failures and identify root causes.
• Maintain repair histories and tooling performance records.
• Ensuring tooling is maintained in a condition that supports safe and efficient operations.

Tooling Optimization & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze tooling performance and production data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on tooling life, extrusion efficiency, dimensional control, yield, and product quality.
• Collaborate with operations, quality, and technical teams to resolve tooling-related manufacturing issues.
• Support process capability improvements through tooling modifications and optimization.
• Develop and implement tooling standards and best practices.

Manufacturing Support

• Provide technical support to extrusion press and drawing operations.
• Assist production teams in troubleshooting process and quality concerns related to tooling.
• Support root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
• Participate in process improvement projects and operational excellence initiatives.
• Recommend tooling changes to improve throughput, product consistency, and operational reliability.

Tooling Management

• Maintain tooling inventory, storage systems, identification methods, and usage records.
• Ensure tooling is properly cleaned, preserved, labeled, and stored.
• Track tooling utilization and life-cycle performance.
• Coordinate tooling procurement and outside repair activities as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation and tooling databases.

What you will bring to the role: 

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in tooling, machining, extrusion, metal forming, manufacturing, or related technical fields.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting abilities.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications.
• Proficiency using precision measurement equipment.
• Ability to diagnose tooling-related manufacturing issues and recommend corrective actions.

Preferred education and experience:

• Associate degree or technical certification in Tool & Die, Manufacturing Technology, Mechanical Design, Engineering Technology, or related field.
• Experience with seamless aluminum extrusion and drawn tube manufacturing.
• CNC machining experience
• CAD drafting or design experience.
• Knowledge of aluminum metallurgy and metal flow principles
• Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement experience.

No third-party candidate submissions are being accepted at this time for this opening.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About Kaiser Aluminum: Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclusive culture.