Resume guide · Job Zone 3

Tool and Die Makersresume guide.

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs A strong Tool and Die Makers resume shows operation and control, operations monitoring and quality control analysis, and names the tools you have worked with, such as Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks and Bentley MicroStation.

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01Also called

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Die MachinistDie Repair LaborerDie Repair Technician (Die Repair Tech)Jig and Fixture RepairerTool and Die MachinistTool and Die MakerTool and Fixture SpecialistTool MakerTool RepairerTrim Die Maker

02Skills employers expect

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Importance is how much the skill matters to the job; level is how much of it the job demands. Both are worth naming on the resume, in this order.

SkillImportanceLevel
Operation and ControlHighIntermediate
Operations MonitoringHighIntermediate
Quality Control AnalysisHighIntermediate
Critical ThinkingHighIntermediate
Equipment SelectionHighIntermediate
Judgment and Decision MakingHighIntermediate
MonitoringHighIntermediate
Time ManagementHighIntermediate
Active LearningHighIntermediate
Active ListeningHighIntermediate

03Knowledge areas

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  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Production and Processing
  • Design
  • English Language
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Education and Training
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Administration and Management

04Common responsibilities

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Ordered by importance. Each one is a bullet waiting for a result and a number.

  1. Verify dimensions, alignments, and clearances of finished parts for conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as calipers, gauge blocks, micrometers, or dial indicators.
  2. Set up and operate conventional or computer numerically controlled machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, or grinders to cut, bore, grind, or otherwise shape parts to prescribed dimensions and finishes.
  3. Visualize and compute dimensions, sizes, shapes, and tolerances of assemblies, based on specifications.
  4. Study blueprints, sketches, models, or specifications to plan sequences of operations for fabricating tools, dies, or assemblies.
  5. Fit and assemble parts to make, repair, or modify dies, jigs, gauges, and tools, using machine tools, hand tools, or welders.
  6. Inspect finished dies for smoothness, contour conformity, and defects.
  7. Select metals to be used from a range of metals and alloys, based on properties such as hardness or heat tolerance.
  8. Lift, position, and secure machined parts on surface plates or worktables, using hoists, vises, v-blocks, or angle plates.
  9. File, grind, shim, and adjust different parts to properly fit them together.
  10. Smooth and polish flat and contoured surfaces of parts or tools, using scrapers, abrasive stones, files, emery cloths, or power grinders.

05Software and tools

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32 tools across 11 categories. The six largest categories are below; Hot marks a hot technology, In demand a tool employers ask for most often.

Computer aided design CAD software16
  • Autodesk AutoCADHotIn demand
  • Dassault Systemes SolidWorksHotIn demand
  • Bentley MicroStationHotIn demand
  • Dassault Systemes CATIAIn demand
  • PTC Creo ParametricIn demand
  • Autodesk InventorIn demand
  • Cimatron CimatronE Master
  • data M Software COPRA MetalBender
  • Kubotek USA KeyCreator
  • Logopress
  • MAKER CAD/CAM Services DIEMAKER
  • Striker Systems SS-Die Design
  • Striker Systems SS-Draw Form
  • Striker Systems SS-Strip Design
  • Vero International VISI-Mould
  • VX Corporation VX Mold & Die
+ 11 more
Computer aided manufacturing CAM software7
  • Mastercam computer-aided design and manufacturing softwareIn demand
  • 1CadCam Unigraphics
  • CNC Mastercam
  • DP Technology ESPRIT
  • Virtual Gibbs CADD/CAM
  • NC verification software
  • OPEN MIND Technologies hyperMILL
+ 2 more
Electronic mail software1
Enterprise resource planning ERP software1
Inventory management software1
  • Seco Tools Seco Point
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software1
  • JobPack MES Scheduler
Office suite software1
Presentation software1
Project management software1
Spreadsheet software1
Word processing software1

06Education and preparation

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Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
41% of surveyed workers. Others report High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) (40%) and Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree (10%).
Preparation level
Job Zone 3 · Medium preparation
Usually vocational training, an associate degree or a few years of related experience.

07Putting it on your resume

ResumeXRays guidance
BEE · How to show it

Lead with the credential and the record. Job Zone 3 roles usually ask for training, a license or a few years of related experience. Put those on the first screen, then show what you did with them.

Name the tools exactly. This occupation is heavy on named software. A skills section that says "Autodesk AutoCAD, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, Bentley MicroStation, Microsoft Outlook" matches more job descriptions than a general phrase. Use the spelling employers use.

Show operations monitoring and quality control analysis, not just operation and control. Operations monitoring and quality control analysis rank close to operation and control for this occupation. One bullet per role that shows a decision, a tradeoff or a result covers them.

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