Free Mid-level tool and die maker resume (2026)

Your resume should prove you can set up, operate, and maintain tooling while improving uptime and part quality. Focus on hands-on accomplishments, machine types you can run, and measurable improvements you made at past employers.

Keep the document targeted to the jobs you apply for by matching keywords from the job description and emphasizing similar tooling, dies, and press work you performed. This makes it easier for screeners and automated systems to find your relevant experience.

Write a two to three sentence summary that frames your years of experience, primary machines, and a key achievement. For example, say you have five years of experience on EDM and CNC press brakes and mention a quantifiable result such as reduced scrap by a percentage or shortened setup time.

Avoid vague claims and keep the summary specific and job-focused so the reader knows your level and strengths within the first few seconds. Use clear language and include a few role-specific keywords that match the posting.

List roles in reverse chronological order and lead each bullet with a strong action verb and a measurable outcome when possible. Describe setups, die adjustments, troubleshooting steps, and cross-functional work with maintenance or engineering teams to show your practical problem solving.

Include the machine models and tooling types you worked with, such as wire EDM, sinker EDM, CNC milling, surface grinders, and mechanical or hydraulic presses, to make your experience concrete. When you can, quantify results such as reduced downtime, improved yield, or faster cycle times.

Organize skills into Technical Skills and Core Competencies so hiring managers can scan quickly for match. List specific machines, tooling operations, blueprint reading, GD&T, die tryout, repair, and fixture design under Technical Skills, and list communication, troubleshooting, and safety under Core Competencies.

Prioritize the skills that appear in the job description and avoid long generic lists that dilute the most relevant abilities. Use short phrases and keep the section to a readable length so it is scannable.

Place your highest relevant education and any trade school credentials near the top if they are recent or directly tied to tooling and die work. Include certifications such as Journeyman status, CNC programming certificates, OSHA safety training, or manufacturer-specific machine certifications and list dates.

If you completed apprenticeships or on-the-job training that taught key processes like die setting or EDM programming, briefly note the mentor or program and key skills gained. This helps employers see your formal and informal training background.

Name the exact equipment and software you used, for example specific EDM brands, CNC controls, CAM software, press models, and measuring tools. Employers look for match on precise tools and controls more than generic categories, so be specific about years of experience per machine when you can.

Also list metrology tools such as CMMs, micrometers, and profilometers and any experience with inspection procedures or first article inspection. This gives a clear picture of both manufacturing and quality skills.

Translate daily tasks into measurable improvements, such as percent scrap reduction, setup time savings, increased throughput, or number of dies maintained. Use concise bullets that show the problem, the action you took, and the outcome to demonstrate impact rather than only listing duties.

If you led a tooling change or introduced a fixture that reduced cycle time, state the before and after numbers to show improvement. Concrete metrics separate mid-level candidates from entry-level resumes.

Keep your resume to one to two pages depending on breadth of experience and relevance to the target role, and use a clean layout with clear section headings. Use standard fonts, simple bullet points, and avoid heavy graphics that confuse applicant tracking systems while ensuring important keywords appear in plain text.

Name the file with your full name and the job title for clarity, and export to PDF unless the posting requests a different format. Also include a short link to a professional profile if you maintain a portfolio of work or tooling photos that demonstrate your craft.

Use active verbs that match shop activities, such as programmed, set up, repaired, calibrated, troubleshoot, adjusted, inspected, and optimized. Match those verbs to job postings and use the exact machine and process names that appear in hiring descriptions.

Avoid vague verbs like assisted or worked and replace them with the specific action and result you performed on the equipment. This helps both human readers and automated systems evaluate fit more accurately.

Include a short Projects or Select Projects section when you have notable tooling work such as a major die build, redesign, or cross-functional improvement project. Add a Safety and Continuous Improvement line if you have led 5S, kaizen events, or safety initiatives that reduced incidents or improved processes.

Keep these sections concise and only include items that add clear value for the role you want, so the resume stays focused on your tooling competencies. Use one to three bullets per optional section to remain scannable.