Full-Time

Die Setter

Posted on 6/18/2024

Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

1,001-5,000 employees

High-speed automotive stamping, welding, and assembly

No salary listed

Holland, MI, USA

In Person

Category
Mechanical Engineering (1)
Requirements
  • High school diploma or general education degree (GED)
  • One to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Has high standards of performance for self
  • Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes
  • Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work
  • Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress
  • Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts
  • Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships
  • Must be able to understand and follow written and verbal workplace instructions
  • Must be able to work up to 12 hours per day including Saturday and Sundays
  • Ability to use basic Measurement skills
  • Ability to use basic mathematics skills
  • Knowledge of controls systems for programming purposes
  • Ability to operate Hilo/ Die Truck
Responsibilities
  • Sets up and changes dies on small and large (200 Ton to 2500 Ton) Progressive, Secondary and Transfer presses according to prescribed Job Element Sheets (JES) and die set up sheets to ensure quality parts are produced per Challenge Manufacturing Quality Standards, production schedules and engineering specifications
  • Understands and can explain the company’s Quality Policy
  • Understands job description and required tasks. Able to explain how this position impacts customer satisfaction and contributes to fulfilling the Quality Policy
  • Understands the overview of Quality Management System and document architecture
  • Understands and explain all relevant quality policy, procedures, and work instructions associated with this job description
  • Understands and is able to identify Quality Management System and implementation; Document and/or log all non-conformity
  • Participates in preventative actions where appropriate. Conducts corrective actions and perform problem solving analysis and reporting as required
  • Conducts housekeeping for personal work area and shared facility space
  • Observes and complies with all safety, environmental, regulatory, and statutory requirements associated with this job description
  • Participates in needs analysis and attends and performs the requirements of scheduled training and educational programs identified for this position
  • Participates, as requested, in independent objective auditing activities and supports company continuous improvement activities
  • Stops work on processes as appropriate and contains suspect or defective material or services to avoid further processing
  • Positions, and safely clamps Dies/tools, feed guides, and Guarding
  • Threads metal strip from coils through pinch rollers, and/or loads Dies/tools with metal blanks
  • Installs part ejection, and air blasts/external oilers
  • Installs any and all die protection devices
Desired Qualifications
  • Metal Stamping experience preferred
  • Die setting in stamping preferred
  • Lock out tag out experience preferred
  • Press operating experience preferred
Challenge Manufacturing

Challenge Manufacturing

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Challenge Manufacturing specializes in high-speed progressive stamping, high-tonnage transfer, automated assembly, and multiple welding methods (resistance, projection, MIG, drawn arc stud welding) to produce automotive structures for Tier 1 suppliers. Its processes turn raw metal into precise, high-quality assemblies through automated lines with about 1,500 industrial robots across 12 locations, enabling fast production and high consistency. The company differentiates itself by its large, employee-owned ESOP model that aligns worker incentives with company success, a global footprint, and a culture built on Safety, Ownership, and Teamwork, alongside its scale and focus on automotive structures. The goal is to be the best global supplier of automotive structures while delivering value to its employee-owners.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Debt Financing

Total Funding

$100M

Headquarters

Walker, Michigan

Founded

1981

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • EV production reaching 35% of global sales by 2030 drives lightweight assembly demand.
  • Nearshoring trends increase North American OEM capacity 15-20% through 2027, favoring Challenge.
  • Tier 1 supplier consolidation creates M&A opportunities for employee-owned companies to scale.

What critics are saying

  • EV transition reduces stamped metal component demand; integrated battery housings favor composites.
  • Chinese suppliers undercut pricing; Challenge's Michigan cost structure cannot compete.
  • Top 3 OEM customers represent 60-75% revenue; 20% production drop loses 15-25% revenue.

What makes Challenge Manufacturing unique

  • 1,500+ industrial robots with AI-driven predictive maintenance reduce downtime 25-30%.
  • Employee-owned ESOP structure aligns workforce incentives with long-term operational excellence.
  • Specialized welding expertise positions Challenge for emerging EV battery enclosure demand.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Short-Term Disability

Basic Life

Voluntary Life

LTD

401(k) Company Match

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus Program

Challenge Incentive Program

Paid Time Off

ESOP shares

Company News

Business Wire
Oct 17th, 2023
WhiteHawk Capital Partners Provides Senior Term Loan Facility to Challenge Manufacturing

WhiteHawk Capital Partners, LP announced it has entered into an agreement with Challenge Mfg. Company, LLC to provide a senior term loan facility.

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