Tooling Design Engineer

Overview Tooling Design Engineer Department:

Contract Manufacturing Services Reports To:

Manufacturing Engineering Manager Location:

Upper Midwest USA Job Summary An established contract manufacturing operation is seeking a Tooling Design Engineer to support high mix, precision manufacturing programs. This role focuses on the design, development, and sustainment of production tooling, fixtures, work holding, and automation ready solutions that enable safe, efficient, and repeatable manufacturing processes. The Tooling Design Engineer will play a key role in improving quality, throughput, and equipment effectiveness through robust tooling design, error proofing, automation integration, and sensor based feedback systems. This position works closely with applications, manufacturing engineering, controls, quality, purchasing, and production teams to support new customer programs, production launches, and continuous improvement initiatives. Key Responsibilities Design and detail prototype and production tooling, fixtures, and work holding solutions for laser welding and related manufacturing processes from concept through production release. Evaluate design alternatives, perform basic design calculations, and assess cost trade-offs to meet performance, quality, and budget targets. Incorporate automation concepts into tooling designs including automated, semi automated, and operator assisted systems. Specify and integrate automation sensors such as photo eyes, proximity sensors, load sensors, pressure switches, and vision components. Design tooling with built in error proofing to reduce defects and reliance on inspection. Ensure designs meet safety, ergonomic, and machine safeguarding requirements. Documentation and Engineering Support Create and maintain design documentation including layouts, detailed drawings, bills of materials, change requests, spare parts lists, and basic operating documentation. Support the build, test, and debug of prototype tooling and production assemblies. Provide hands on technical support during tooling installation, validation, and production launch. Collaborate with manufacturing and purchasing to ensure designs are practical, serviceable, and cost effective. Manufacturing and Operations Support Support new product introductions, engineering changes, and production launches with production ready tooling solutions. Troubleshoot tooling, automation, sensor, and I O issues on the shop floor to minimize downtime and quality issues. Participate in continuous improvement efforts focused on automation, efficiency, defect reduction, and cost improvement. Supplier, Customer, and Cross Functional Collaboration Work with external tooling, automation, and sensor suppliers to source, qualify, and improve equipment. Participate in design reviews with applications, operations, quality, and controls teams. Support technical reviews, audits, and structured problem solving activities. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent practical experience. Six or more years of experience in tooling, fixture, or machine design within a manufacturing environment. Strong 3D CAD skills, SolidWorks preferred. Hands on troubleshooting capability and comfort supporting production environments. Ability to deliver custom tooling solutions that meet performance, quality, and budget requirements. Willingness to travel up to 10 percent for supplier or customer support as required.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$100,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Work Location:

In person