Tool Maker Jobs in California
Tool Maker jobs in California are in active demand, with steady hiring concentrated in aerospace and defense manufacturing, medical device production, and precision automotive components across the state from entry-level apprentices through senior die and mold specialists. The largest hiring hubs are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where established manufacturers like Northrop Grumman, Raytheon Technologies, and Abbott Laboratories maintain significant production and tooling operations. The most sought-after specialties are CNC machining, injection mold tooling, and precision jig and fixture fabrication. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Viant is a global medical device partner providing design, development, manufacturing, and assembly services through capabilities in materials, plastics, metals, extrusion, and automation. With nearly 6,000 employees across 24 locations worldwide, it delivers high quality, life enhancing products with scale and expertise to bring devices to market efficiently. Learn more at Viant Medical’s website or on LinkedIn.
Join Viant Medical – Where Your Craft Impacts Lives
Are you ready to make a difference in patients’ lives every day?
What You’ll Do
- Build Precision Molds: Construct high-precision thermoplastic injection molds using engineering drawings, CAD/CAM models, and technical specs.
- Collaborate on Design: Work with engineering teams to optimize mold designs for gating, venting, cooling, and ejection systems.
- Machine with Accuracy: Operate CNC mills, lathes, grinders, and EDM machines to produce mold components with tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes.
- Maintain Tooling Excellence: Perform maintenance and repairs on Class A molds to ensure consistent performance and longevity.
- Ensure Quality: Inspect mold components using micrometers, calipers, and CMMs to meet exacting standards.
- Solve Problems: Troubleshoot mold issues and implement improvements to enhance performance and part quality.
- Document Work: Keep detailed records of mold builds, modifications, and maintenance for traceability and continuous improvement.
- Prioritize Safety: Follow strict safety protocols and handle materials responsibly in a clean, organized shop environment.
What You Bring
- Experience: Proven hands-on experience with Class A thermoplastic injection molds in a manufacturing or tooling environment.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in blueprint reading, CAD/CAM interpretation, CNC programming, and precision machining.
- Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex mold and process issues.
- Attention to Detail: Commitment to quality and accuracy in every step of the mold-making process.
- Team Collaboration: Strong communication skills to work effectively with engineers, technicians, and production teams.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to meet evolving project needs in a fast-paced, high-impact environment.
- Safety Awareness: Knowledge of shop safety practices and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe workspace.
If you’re passionate about craftsmanship and want to be part of a mission-driven company that improves lives through innovation, Viant Medical is the place for you.
Viant provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Viant complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
About the company:
Viant is a global medical device partner providing design, development, manufacturing, and assembly services through capabilities in materials, plastics, metals, extrusion, and automation. With nearly 6,000 employees across 24 locations worldwide, it delivers high quality, life enhancing products with scale and expertise to bring devices to market efficiently. Learn more at Viant Medical’s website or on LinkedIn.
Join Viant Medical – Where Your Craft Impacts Lives
Are you ready to make a difference in patients’ lives every day?
What You’ll Do
- Build Precision Molds: Construct high-precision thermoplastic injection molds using engineering drawings, CAD/CAM models, and technical specs.
- Collaborate on Design: Work with engineering teams to optimize mold designs for gating, venting, cooling, and ejection systems.
- Machine with Accuracy: Operate CNC mills, lathes, grinders, and EDM machines to produce mold components with tight tolerances and excellent surface finishes.
- Maintain Tooling Excellence: Perform maintenance and repairs on Class A molds to ensure consistent performance and longevity.
- Ensure Quality: Inspect mold components using micrometers, calipers, and CMMs to meet exacting standards.
- Solve Problems: Troubleshoot mold issues and implement improvements to enhance performance and part quality.
- Document Work: Keep detailed records of mold builds, modifications, and maintenance for traceability and continuous improvement.
- Prioritize Safety: Follow strict safety protocols and handle materials responsibly in a clean, organized shop environment.
What You Bring
- Experience: Proven hands-on experience with Class A thermoplastic injection molds in a manufacturing or tooling environment.
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in blueprint reading, CAD/CAM interpretation, CNC programming, and precision machining.
- Problem-Solving Mindset: Ability to diagnose and resolve complex mold and process issues.
- Attention to Detail: Commitment to quality and accuracy in every step of the mold-making process.
- Team Collaboration: Strong communication skills to work effectively with engineers, technicians, and production teams.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to meet evolving project needs in a fast-paced, high-impact environment.
- Safety Awareness: Knowledge of shop safety practices and a proactive approach to maintaining a safe workspace.
If you’re passionate about craftsmanship and want to be part of a mission-driven company that improves lives through innovation, Viant Medical is the place for you.
Viant provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Viant complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
See All 5 Tool Maker Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Tool Maker JobsTool Maker Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Tool Maker Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Viant Medical2
- Applied Materials1
- Evapco1
- laborup1
Top Industries Hiring
- Medical Devices2
- Electronics & Hardware1
- Manufacturing1
- Staffing & Recruiting1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in tool maker jobs across California.
- Journeyman-level trade experience or completion of a California-approved apprenticeship program
- Proficiency with CNC mills, lathes, and EDM equipment in a production environment
- Ability to read and interpret GD&T blueprints and engineering drawings accurately
- Experience with precision measurement tools including micrometers, calipers, and CMM equipment
- Familiarity with aerospace or medical device quality standards such as AS9100 or ISO 13485
- Knowledge of tooling materials including tool steels, carbide, and aluminum alloys
Tool Maker Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a tool maker in California?
The most direct path is completing a formal apprenticeship through the California Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Apprenticeship Standards, which registers tool and die maker apprenticeships with structured on-the-job and classroom training. Many candidates also enter through community college machining or manufacturing technology programs at schools like Cerritos College or Pasadena City College, then advance into tool making roles with progressive shop experience and employer-sponsored training.
How much do tool makers make in California?
Tool makers in California earn a median of about $77,030 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $45,710 for the lowest 10% to over $104,260 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire tool makers in California?
Employers hiring tool makers in California right now include Viant Medical, Applied Materials, and Evapco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense aerospace corridor between Los Angeles and San Diego and its large medical device manufacturing base in the Bay Area and Orange County keep demand for skilled tool makers consistently active across the state.
Which California cities have the most tool maker jobs?
Fremont, Garden Grove, and Madera have the most tool maker openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego are driven by aerospace and defense manufacturers anchored there, while San Jose reflects the Bay Area's precision manufacturing and medical device sector, and suburban industrial cities like Anaheim and City of Industry add significant volume through their high concentration of contract machine shops and specialty fabrication facilities.
Are there remote tool maker jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 0% of tool maker openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, which is consistent with the hands-on nature of the role since most tool making requires direct operation of machine tools and physical inspection of components. The portions most suited to remote work are design and CAM programming tasks, which some larger employers separate into hybrid positions.
How can I get hired as a tool maker in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a registered apprenticeship through the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards, which places candidates with sponsoring employers and pays wages from day one. Large California manufacturers including those in the Los Angeles aerospace corridor often hire entry-level machine operator or CNC operator roles that feed into tool making tracks. Completing a machining certificate at a California community college and building a portfolio of dimensional work strengthens any application significantly.
Where can I find and apply to tool maker jobs in California?
You can find and apply to tool maker jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 5 Tool Maker Jobs in California
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