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Tool and Die Maker II - Journeyman

Generac · Whitewater, WI

Posted May 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 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.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time a die was producing bad parts and nobody could figure out why. How did you track down the root cause?

systematic troubleshooting ability versus guesswork

Tell me about a time you had to work with an OEM vendor to resolve an equipment breakdown that was beyond your own tools or parts. How did that conversation go?

ability to communicate technical detail to outside resources and manage vendor relationships

Tell me about a time you suggested a change to an existing tool or process that improved safety or productivity. What pushback did you get and how did you handle it?

initiative and ability to sell improvements to skeptical stakeholders

Describe a rework job that came over from manufacturing that was more complicated than it first looked. What made it hard and how did you close it out?

handling ambiguous scope and seeing a repair through to completion

Tell me about a time you had to explain a technical problem to a project manager or engineer who didn't have a machining background. How did you make sure they understood?

communication skills bridging shop floor and engineering

Technical

Walk me through the last progressive die or fixture you built from scratch. What was the sequence from print to first good part off the tool?

whether the candidate actually has hands-on end-to-end tool build experience, not just maintenance

How do you read a complex mechanical drawing or schematic when the tolerances or callouts seem to conflict with what you're seeing on the actual part?

depth of blueprint literacy and comfort resolving discrepancies without just guessing

Have you used Mastercam or AutoCAD to design or modify tooling? Describe a specific job where you programmed or edited a toolpath yourself.

real CAD/CAM proficiency versus listing it as a skill

Describe setting up a preventative maintenance schedule for a new piece of equipment. How did you decide the intervals and what parts to stock?

understanding of PM planning grounded in manufacturer specs versus habit

What's your process for fabricating or welding a guard or fixture when there's no existing print to follow?

ability to work from concept to fabrication without full documentation

Situational

A press goes down mid-shift and production is stacking up waiting on it. What do you do first, and who do you loop in?

triage judgment under pressure and communication discipline

You're leading a tool build project and a teammate keeps making the same setup mistake. How do you correct it without shutting them down?

training and mentoring approach, patience under repeated error

If the Team Leader is out and you're running the tool room's maintenance priorities for the day, how do you decide what gets worked first among several open jobs?

prioritization logic and readiness to step into a lead role

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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: 5:00am-3:00pm 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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