Senior Tool Designer

Sparton is an innovative defense contractor headquartered in DeLeon Springs, Florida, with a rich heritage dating back to 1900. Renowned for our exceptional manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in producing high‑quality sonobuoys critical to the United States’ undersea warfare arsenal, enhancing national security against current and future adversaries. But we are more than manufacturers; we are problem solvers. Our team of dedicated engineers and skilled professionals tackles some of the most challenging issues in defense technology.

Our expertise includes advanced research systems, maritime solutions, sophisticated sensor technologies and payload delivery capabilities.

The Tool Designer III leads the design of complex, high‑precision tooling, fixtures, and production equipment from concept through fabrication that support manufacturing operations. This role drives manufacturability improvements, mentors junior designers, and partners with engineering teams to influence product design early in development.

• Lead the design of complex, high‑precision, or automated tooling and test fixtures.
• Perform advanced GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturability assessments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to drive DFM and DFMaint into product and process design. Provide formal input to product design engineers of potential design changes that will make our products easier to assemble and maintain consistently.
• Analyze and redesign legacy fixtures to improve reliability, safety, ergonomics, and production efficiency based on needed tooling and new manufacturing processes or to accommodate production design changes.
• Partner with the Model Shop to optimize designs for machining strategy, cost, and build time.
• Determine material specifications to ensure productive life of tools/fixtures.
• Develop accurate project timelines, cost estimates, and design process flows.
• Inspect machines and facilities where tools will be used.
• Determine optimal clearances, speeds, temperature, and other pertinent conditions affecting final design requirements of tools.
• Lead design reviews and ensure compliance with Sparton’s quality and safety standards.
• Ensure that appropriate new technology is incorporated in the tool/fixture design. Ensure that any models produced are suitable for additional electronic utilization (automation, animations, simulations, etc.).
• Perform analysis and present alternative designs (including materials changes) to ensure that tradeoffs between design costs and production usefulness are optimized.
• Support root‑cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling performance.
• Establish and monitor compliance of historical and accountability records of production tooling. Establish standards for future design as appropriate.
• On the floor follow‑up on installed tools/fixtures to ensure that designs are effective. Maintain records of changes with idea of improving the design process for future projects.
• Interface with internal and external vendor resources as needed including managing part resources, schedules, and priorities for multiple projects simultaneously.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering, or related field, or equivalent education or training.

OR

• Equivalent experience (Typically 5–8 years) of tooling or mechanical design, fixture development, or mechanical design in a regulated industry (Defense, aerospace, medical, automotive).

• Advanced proficiency in CAD modeling and drafting. Solid Works Professional certification in areas appropriate to fixture/tooling design preferred.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex design projects.
• U.S. Citizenship.

• Experience with automated tooling, pneumatics, sensors, or integrated test systems.
• Background in defense or aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• High level of technical judgment and problem‑solving.
• Ability to…