Design Engineer

Tool Designer

The Tool Designer is responsible for the design, development, and documentation of deep draw tooling, progressive dies, fixtures, and inspection gauges used throughout the manufacturing facility. The role works within the Engineering department under the Engineering Manager and is the primary technical owner of all tooling design output, from initial concept through final release to the production floor.

The Tool Designer owns the controlled tooling drawing packages that serve as the authoritative reference for setup, production, and tool maintenance on each active job. This position is responsible for keeping drawing packages current as tooling is modified or revised by internal and external toolmakers, as well as for sourcing, purchasing, and tracking outside tooling. The Tool Designer partners closely with the internal toolroom, vendors, manufacturing engineering, and production to ensure tooling is designed, built, and documented for repeatable, high-quality manufacturing.

• Design deep draw tooling, progressive dies, secondary fixtures, and inspection gauges in Solid Works.
• Develop tooling concepts that meet customer print requirements, material specifications, and production volumes.
• Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5 to ensure tools, fixtures, and gauges produce and verify parts within specification.
• Generate detailed manufacturing drawings, bills of material, and component prints for toolmakers and outside vendors.
• Support draw analysis, tonnage estimation, and design validation to confirm tooling intent prior to build.
• Build and maintain the controlled tooling drawing package for each active job.
• Update drawing packages whenever tooling is modified, repaired, or revised by internal or external toolmakers.
• Verify red line changes presented by the toolroom and incorporate them into the controlled drawing set.
• Track all outside tooling purchases through receipt, qualification, and release to the floor.
• Source, quote, and place orders for outside tooling, components, and consumables.
• Manage vendor relationships and hold suppliers accountable for delivery, quality, and design intent.
• Conduct vendor visits and tool tryouts as needed to support new tool builds, debug, or troubleshoot existing tooling.
• Partner with the internal toolroom on tool builds, repairs, modifications, and tryouts.
• Provide design support and drawing clarification to toolmakers during fabrication, setup, and rework.
• Drive design‑for‑manufacturability improvements that reduce tool cost, setup time, and downtime, and support new product introduction.
• Capture lessons learned from tool issues and incorporate improvements into future designs.
• Support continuous improvement, safety, and audit preparation initiatives.

• Advanced proficiency in Solid Works (parts, assemblies, detailed drawings).
• Strong working knowledge of deep draw tooling design, progressive dies, and metal forming principles.
• Proficient application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5.
• Excellent attention to detail and accurate, revision‑controlled drawing packages.
• Clear, direct communication with toolmakers, engineers, vendors, and production personnel.
• Problem‑solving skills to diagnose tooling issues and drive design‑based solutions to resolution.
• Minimum 5 years of tool design experience, with direct experience designing deep draw tooling, fixtures, and gauges in Solid Works.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Tool & Die preferred; equivalent hands‑on experience considered.
• Ownership mindset, technical judgment, and ability to balance design quality with production timelines.

This position involves working both in office and within the shop work environment, including time spent in the toolroom and on the production floor supporting tool tryouts and setup. Occasional travel is required to support outside vendor visits and tool tryouts. The employee must be aware of potential hazards, including close proximity to moving mechanical parts, operating vehicles, exposure to electrical current, high temperatures, and chemicals, and must maintain situational awareness while actively engaging on the production floor and in the toolroom.

50-55 / HR