Job Title: Tool Design Engineer   

Overview:

We are seeking a skilled Tool Design Engineer to design complex metal stamping dies that support the production of deep drawn and progressive metal components. This role involves transforming customer product designs into efficient, high-quality tooling solutions. Youll collaborate closely with engineers, toolmakers, and production teams throughout the design, build, and development process to ensure tooling performance aligns with customer expectations and manufacturing capabilities.

Key Responsibilities:

1. New Product Review & Quoting

• Analyze customer part prints and recommend design modifications to optimize manufacturability with processes and equipment.
• Participate in product design reviews and customer discussions as needed.
• Develop accurate tooling progressions to estimate tooling and production costs.
• Create part models and determine part weights to support quoting.

2. Tooling Design

• Generate internal part drawings from customer specifications.
• Design precision gaging for quality inspection aligned with part print requirements.
• Develop detailed tooling layouts that outline each stage of the forming process.
• Calculate material usage and part weight for cost analysis.
• Design deep draw tooling using Solid Edge CAD, supporting ICOP, transfer, and progressive press applications.
• Create clear tool designs with multiple positions/stations illustrating function and progression.
• Lead cross-functional design review meetings to validate tooling concepts.
• Produce detailed component drawings with appropriate tolerancing for functionality and cost-efficiency.
• Release complete design packages for tool manufacturing.
• Provide support during tool build, assembly, development, and updates after initial release.
• Design tooling for secondary operations and integrate technologies (e.g., sensors, cameras, leak tests) to verify part quality.
• Maintain thorough documentation of design reviews, changes, and follow-ups.

3. Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate with toolmakers and engineers to address existing tooling challenges and drive design enhancements.
• Participate in initiatives to improve tooling processes and secondary equipment.
• Use the ECR (Engineering Change Request) system to record and implement design improvements.
• Keep tooling documentation and revision history current.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design, build, and development processes by maximizing CAD capabilities.
• Assist in training engineering staff and apprentices as needed.
• Take on additional tasks and projects as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree or equivalent work experience.
• Journeyman Toolmaker certification is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience designing deep draw, transfer, ICOP, and progressive tooling preferred.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Solid Edge or SolidWorks CAD systems; simulation experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of deep draw and progressive metal forming processes.
• Familiarity with geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Experience selecting tool steels and understanding raw material properties.

Soft Skills & Competencies:

• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving ability.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate across departments and translate ideas into functional design concepts.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Capable of working independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on quality and efficiency.

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