The Mid-Level Tooling and Fixture Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and validating production tooling and fixtures used in fabrication, machining, welding, and assembly processes. This role plays a key part in ensuring manufacturability, precision, and process efficiency by collaborating with cross-functional teams and driving tooling solutions from concept to implementation.
Design robust tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes such as machining, assembly, welding, and inspection.
Create detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings with proper dimensioning, tolerances, and material specifications.
Collaborate with production, quality, and process engineering teams to ensure tooling meets functional and safety requirements.
Participate in design reviews, risk assessments, and tooling validation trials.
Provide technical support during tool fabrication, setup, and troubleshooting.
Optimize existing tools and fixtures for ergonomics, durability, and performance improvements.
Ensure compliance with design standards, safety norms, and ergonomic guidelines.
Maintain tooling documentation, change records, and bills of materials (BOMs).
Coordinate with external vendors and in-house machine shops for tool manufacturing.
Design for Manufacturability (DFM): Ensure tooling solutions enable efficient, repeatable, and high-quality production processes.
CAD & Tolerance Design: Proficient in 3D modeling (SolidWorks, Creo, or similar) and GD&T for fixture and tool detailing.
Fixture Functionality & Safety: Design ergonomic, easy-to-use, and fail-safe tooling and fixtures aligned with operator and process needs.
Tool Validation & Improvement: Participate in first article evaluations, trials, and continuous improvement of existing tooling.
Cross-functional Collaboration: Work closely with process, production, and quality teams to ensure seamless tooling integration.
Supplier & Vendor Communication: Collaborate with fabrication vendors for tool production, material selection, and technical clarification.
Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Mechanical/Production/Manufacturing Engineering.
3–7 years of experience in tooling and fixture design, preferably in an automotive, aerospace, or precision manufacturing environment.
Strong knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing, and basic structural/thermal/mechanical analysis.
Hands-on experience with CAD software and PLM systems.
Familiarity with lean manufacturing, poka-yoke principles, and tooling cost estimation is a plus.
Excellent communication, problem-solving, and documentation skills.