U001 Tool and Die Maker

Company: Northrop Grumman
Location: Elk River
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: No relocation assistance available CLEARANCE TYPE: None TRAVEL: No Description At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history. Northrop Grumman Defense Systems has an opening for a Tool and Die Maker to support our Armament Business Unit located in Elk River, MN. This position pays $44.76 an hour per union contract Our Elk River site consists of a serene 3,200 acres, with over 20 active buildings, and numerous projects supporting manufacturing, development, and testing for our Defense Systems Division. Our team works to continuously improve, support, and maintain this unique site through a variety of self-directed daily tasks and larger team projects. This role supports 1st shift operations on a 9/80 schedule. Role Summary Plan, design, construct, or repair all types of tools, dies, jigs, etc. Determine metal flow in dies, select allowances, and perform difficult and involved tool room machine operations at the level consistent with the education/or experience using both CNC and all standard tool room equipment. Position Functions and Responsibilities Design, program, setup, and run CNC mills and CNC lathes using drawings or solid models. Design, plan, construct and repair all types of tools such as: dies, fixtures, gages, molds and special equipment of the highest intricacy. Maintain extremely close tolerance or fits, where accurate relationship, fitting and interchangeability of parts is required. Outstanding ingenuity and judgment to construct tools where no design is available. Determine machining process for difficult and involved jobs. Develop and build new tool prototypes. Suggest means of over-coming various obstacles, fit and assemble parts involving planning and machining of irregular contours or numerous die sections within specified tolerance levels. Work from complicated drawings or sketches. Assist and instruct lower class tool makers. Maintain a clean and safe work environment. Experience using various hand and power tools, such as milling, lathe, drill press, surface grinders, measuring tools and common hand tools used in a machine shop. Minimum Requirements US Citizenship required. 2 Year Associate’s degree in tool and die, machining, or related field, or equivalent experience in lieu of degree. 5 years’ experience, Class A Tool and Die maker preferred (design, construction, alteration and repair of complicated tools, dies, gages, molds, and special equipment). 3 years prior related experience in CNC programming and operation of CNC mills and CNC lathes; manual and computer programming preferred. Use shop mathematics, trigonometry, and hand book formulas. Use of Solidworks and MasterCAM for designing and programming CNC machines. Use all types of precision measuring instruments, such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, and dial indicators. Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies. Requires a thorough knowledge of operations of all tool room machines. Experience in machine shop practices principles of mechanics and application of mechanical movements. Knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of various grades of steel. Knowledge of the working qualities and strength of various metals; knowledge of hardening, tempering, and annealing of metals as required. Understand various treatments and processes applied to allow steels to be capable of specifying proper process to produce any desired type of steel hardness. Able to work weekly Monday – Thursday 6:00am to 4:30pm on site in Elk River, MN. Occasional Fridays and overtime required. Competencies Customer Service Strong computer skills Strong time management skills Attention to detail Effective communication skills Continuous improvement Complex measuring and mathematics skills Cognitive ability to see how parts interact Work Environment General machine shop environment. May be exposed to fumes, metal shavings, noise and lubricating oils. Must use proper PPE. Physical & Mental Demands Lift up to 50 pounds Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Considerable amount of time standing and walking, up to 50% of time. The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates. Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

Keywords: Northrop Grumman, Minneapolis , U001 Tool and Die Maker, Engineering , Elk River, Minnesota