Tool and Die Maker
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Lewiston, ID
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Manufacturing
- Experience asked
- 10+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level manufacturing role at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (industrial) in Lewiston, ID. SEL's products are embedded in power grids worldwide, working to prevent blackouts and improve power system safety and reliability, offering the best product warranty and customer support to the electric power industry.
- They ask for
- 10+ years
- Tools it names
- Automation, CNC, Machining, Injection molding, Tooling
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$91k.
Median of the low and high ends of 50 live postings that list pay, out of 825 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Idaho plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 670 other live manufacturing postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (10+ vs 3+)
Typical $72k–$104k, from 85 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 49%
- ✓ Tooling 40%
- ✓ CNC 33%
- ✓ Machining 31%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Automation, Injection molding, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Manufacturing team at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories in Lewiston
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Full description from Schweitzer Engineering LaboratoriesAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Requirements
- ✓Lift, push, pull, and maneuver up to 40 pounds frequently
- ✓Sit and/or stand at least 8 hours
- ✓Vision correctable to 20/30 or better
- ✓Differentiate color
- ✓Reach
- ✓Bend
- ✓Kneel
- ✓Twist
- ✓Grip
- ✓Pinch
- ✓Fine finger dexterity sufficient to handle metal parts with precision and accuracy
responsibilities
of the role. Starting pay is determined individually and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and training. Candidates may be considered at different levels based on their background. As a result, pay may vary to align with the level of the role.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
At Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL), we are a company of innovators, inventors, and problem solvers that design and build safety-critical products so that future generations can pursue an increasingly higher quality of life. SEL's products are embedded in power grids worldwide, working to prevent blackouts and improve power system safety and reliability, offering the best product warranty and customer support to the electric power industry.
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we are a highly vertically integrated company, including research, design, and manufacturing of our own injection molded parts and molds.
We are currently looking to grow our mold making capacity and are looking for an experienced Tool and Die Maker for our factory in Lewiston, ID. You'll work alongside other Tool and Die Makers and engineers to support our tool and die needs, building, maintaining, and modifying molds using a wide variety of specialized CNC equipment and mold making processes. These include CAD/CAM modeling, programming, and set up of sinker EDM, wire EDM, multi axis milling, electrode, and other mold making equipment!
Our philosophy is to teach, support, develop, and mentor each of our vertically integrated technologies, so entry-level experience with completion of a CTE machining program or CNC machining experience may be considered.
As a Tool and Die Maker, a typical day might include the following
- •Preparing technical tooling specifications for designs of parts and tools.
- •Designing and fabricating detailed tooling, bills of materials, and job estimates as requested.
- •Developing CAD/CAM programs and providing the department with advanced technical and tutorial support.
- •Completing assigned work within timelines, with a high level of quality.
- •Developing, documenting, and maintaining a high level of expertise in the detailed design practices of SEL mold-building operations.
- •Developing and maintaining a high level of knowledge of SEL mold-making procedures and standards to maximize productivity and automation.
This job might be for you if
- •You have 5-10 years of journeyman level Tool & Die/Mold making experience
- •You have 5-10 years of experience with CAD/CAM
- •You have the ability to mentor, and develop the skills of others
- •You have strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills
Physical
Location
Lewiston, ID - This position is located at SEL’s state of the art manufacturing facility in Lewiston, ID where you'll enjoy an unmatched quality of life. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.
Pay Range Data
Tool and Die Maker I: $31.00 - $46.00 per hour, Tool and Die Maker II: $33.00 - $50.00 per hour, Tool and Die Maker III: $39.00 - $59.00 per hour. Our compensation ranges are based on the