Fixture Designer

Job Title:

Fixture Designer

Job Description

This role focuses on designing and developing innovative part-holding fixtures and manufacturing processes for complex component parts in a dynamic job shop environment. The fixture designer applies strong mechanical design, machining, and CAD/CAM skills to create cost-effective, high-quality solutions that support new product development, continuous improvement, and long-term growth. The position collaborates closely with engineering, production, quality, sales, and estimating teams to ensure robust, efficient, and repeatable manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

+ Support the development of new products that align with the organization's growth initiatives by providing effective fixturing and process solutions.

+ Define, create, and implement cost-effective methods for the manufacture and inspection of complex component parts.

+ Design and/or procure new tooling, gauging, and fixturing to support production and quality requirements.

+ Create detailed CAD designs using NX software to develop fixtures, tooling, and related components.

+ Comply with all requirements of the quality system, including documentation and adherence to established standards.

+ Work closely with shop floor personnel to reduce setup times and drive process improvements and quality enhancements.

+ Incorporate new tooling technologies, fixturing concepts, and time studies to improve efficiency and consistency.

+ Assist in estimating and determining standard costs for manufactured parts, providing technical input to support accurate quotations.

+ Design and maintain capable manufacturing processes, including work holding fixture design, process print and work instruction documentation, and cutting tool selection.

+ Participate in CNC programming activities and support G-code development as needed to ensure robust machining processes.

+ Lead or facilitate APQP activities for assigned product groups, ensuring thorough planning and validation of manufacturing processes.

+ Verify process costs and support customer PPAP approvals by providing necessary documentation and technical justification.

+ Effectively manage changes to manufacturing processes for assigned product groups, including completing engineering operations in the change process.

+ Facilitate and participate in Lean Manufacturing and other continuous improvement events to enhance productivity and quality.

+ Troubleshoot prototype and pilot processes, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions for fixturing and machining issues.

+ Participate in MRB activities and establish effective rework processes to address nonconforming product and improve future performance.

+ Serve as a strong communicator and bridge builder between engineers, supervisors, production personnel, sales, and estimating to ensure alignment and collaboration.

+ Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to team members on fixturing, machining practices, and process improvements.

Essential Skills

+ Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Design Engineering or Mechanical Engineering is preferred.

+ Minimum of 5 years of working experience within design engineering.

+ Very strong experience in designing part-holding fixturing for vertical and horizontal machining centers.

+ Extensive machining experience on vertical and horizontal machining centers and lathes.

+ Excellent blueprint reading skills with a thorough understanding of GD&T and general quality principles.

+ Basic understanding of mechanical inspection techniques and their application to production parts.

+ Experience using CAD/CAM software; NX experience is preferred.

+ Proven creative fixturing experience to support effective part processing.

+ G-code programming knowledge is preferred and beneficial for CNC machining support.

+ Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, production, sales, and estimating teams.

+ Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and fixturing issues.

+ Management or leadership experience is preferred, particularly in a manufacturing or engineering environment.

+ Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining processes and tooling selection.

+ Proficiency in interpreting and applying process documentation, work instructions, and quality requirements.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience in tooling and fixture design for CNC machining applications.

+ Familiarity with CNC programming and G-code development for vertical and horizontal machining centers and lathes.

+

Experience with Solid Works, Unigraphics, and AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.

+ Experience in machining, tooling design, and fixture design within a job shop or high-mix environment.

+

Experience with APQP facilitation, process print creation, and work instruction documentation.

+ Exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles and participation in continuous improvement events.

+ Experience supporting cost verification, estimating, and standard cost development for…