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Tool and Die Maker II - Journeyman - 2nd Shift

Generac · Whitewater, WI · Full time

Posted Jul 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through your background as a certified journeyman tool and die maker. How many years have you been doing this and what kinds of dies or tooling have you built?

What they are checking: verifies the required journeyman certification and depth of hands-on experience

Tell me about a time you had to diagnose a complex equipment breakdown that wasn't obvious at first. What was your process?

What they are checking: looks for a systematic troubleshooting approach versus guesswork

Tell me about a rework project that came over from manufacturing that was messier than expected. How did you handle it and get it back on schedule?

What they are checking: assesses ability to manage unplanned, disruptive work under time pressure

Tell me about a time you trained someone less experienced on a tool and die skill. What made it click for them?

What they are checking: evaluates the mentoring ability the role explicitly requires

How comfortable are you working second shift, 3:15 pm to 1:15 am, with less supervision and support staff around than during the day?

What they are checking: confirms realistic expectations about working independently on off-shift hours

Tell me about a time you suggested a change to a machine or process that improved safety or productivity. Did it get adopted?

What they are checking: looks for a track record of proactive improvement, not just maintenance

What would you do

Say a progressive die is producing parts out of tolerance on second shift and no engineer is around. What do you check first, and how far do you go before calling for help?

What they are checking: gauges independent judgment and knowing the limits of their own authority

If you're leading a complex tool build and the team leader isn't available, how do you prioritize and coordinate the work?

What they are checking: checks readiness to informally lead in the team leader's absence

When an OEM vendor is slow to respond on a breakdown that's costing production time, what do you do to keep things moving?

What they are checking: tests initiative and vendor communication skills under pressure

About the work

How do you read and work from a die drawing or schematic when you're building or repairing tooling from scratch?

What they are checking: confirms real fluency with blueprints, not just familiarity

What's your experience with AutoCAD and Mastercam X in this kind of work?

What they are checking: checks the specific software tools named in the posting

How would you set up a preventative maintenance schedule for a brand-new piece of equipment coming into the tool room?

What they are checking: tests understanding of PM planning based on manufacturer recommendations, not just reactive fixing

Describe your experience with welding and fabricating guards or mechanical structures. What's the most complex piece you've built from a design?

What they are checking: confirms hands-on fabrication skill beyond die making alone

You're asked to prototype a replacement part for a machine with no drawing available. How would you approach replicating it?

What they are checking: tests reverse-engineering skill and confidence working without full documentation

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The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? Hours: 3:15pm-1:15am Tuesday-Friday Job Summary: The Tool and Die Maker Journeyman role will be responsible for machine building, tool and die maintenance and troubleshooting, cleanliness of the tool room, running all equipment, delivering efficient services, and high customer service levels. Is responsible for managing the planning, configuration, construction, and alteration of equipment, machinery, tools, dies and fixtures, manage rework projects that come to the tool room from manufacturing, create prototype parts and models for new product inspects or directs the inspection of construction and installation progress to ensure conformance to established drawings, specifications, and schedules. Responsibilities: * Suggest and implement improvements of existing equipment and/or designs to improve safety, quality, delivery and productivity. * Perform safe and effective operation of all equipment needed to perform job function * Work is supervised daily or weekly with assignments that encompass a well-defined set of tasks. Follows established procedures, processes, or policies. * Diagnose and repair complex equipment breakdowns. Effectively communicate issues with OEM vendors and outside resources for rapid resolution of issues. * Perform hands-on training for team members * Assist in designing, fabricating, and welding of mechanical structures, guards and special equipment as required. * Provides technical support to project managers and engineers on projects. * Strong mechanical aptitude, ability to understand complex issues and systematically work toward resolution. * Prioritize, plan and coordinate the team's maintenance activities in absence of Team Leader * Manages installation of new equipment. * Establishes Preventative Maintenance (PM) activities based upon manufacturer recommendations. * Establishes spare parts inventory for new equipment based upon manufacturer recommendations * Uses initiative and judgment to lead problem solving and implementing appropriate countermeasures. * Ability to look at problem, identify solution, and implement Basic Qualifications: * High School diploma or equivalent * 5+ years of experience in tool and die design and making * Certified Tool and Die Maker -- Journeyman; Additional Qualifications: * Strong problem solving skills * Strong verbal and written communication competencies; * Strong prioritization skills; * Ability to understand mechanical and electrical principles and machine functionality; * Ability to read and understand drawings and schematics; * Ability to read and interpret construction and equipment drawings; * Ability to use personal computer and Windows-based software (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, AutoCAD Mastercam X); * Ability to work inside, outside, confined areas, extreme heat, extreme cold, with noise, with vibration, high places, fumes/odors, and in dirt/dust. * Advanced PC knowledge * Demonstrated proficiency and ability to train others in the tool and die craft. * Ability to lead complex tool or equipment build projects Preferred Qualifications: * Diagnose and repair complex equipment breakdowns. Effectively communicate issues with OEM vendors and outside resources for rapid resolution of issues. * Perform hands-on training for team members * Machine repair capabilities and has ability to prototype/replicate machine parts Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. Occasional travel. “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

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