What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tool Design Manufacturing Engineer position at Brightpath Associates LLC?
Job Description
Summary:
The Tool Design Manufacturing Engineer (TDME) is responsible for designing, developing, and improving tooling, fixtures, jigs, and dies used in metal stamping/progressive / compound die and other manufacturing machining operations (welding, work holding for tool room CNCs, and press brakes). This role works closely with production, quality, and tool room personnel to ensure tooling meets performance, safety, cost, and delivery requirements while supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The TDME interacts with the costing engineer by providing tool layouts and designs needed for the quoting process of new parts. Additionally, there is strong collaboration and team work with the rest of the engineering department where tool designs are reviewed and assistance is problem solving is obtained.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Designs tooling to produce parts using CAD (Solid Works, Logo Press &/or CADKEY) to customer specifications under instruction to ascertain specifications and objectives, nature of technical problem, and possible solutions such as part redesign, substitution of material or parts, or rearrangement of parts and subassemblies.
Collaborates with Tool Room, Maintenance, & Production to implement improvements for employee safety, production quality, and overall process effectiveness utilizing continuous improvement techniques.
Drafts detail drawings for fabrication by Tool Room.
Develop purchasing specifications for component parts.
Requisitions tools, equipment, and supplies.
Participation in internal and customer product and print design reviews
Tool design for sheet metal punching, forming and fabricating
Supports Tool Room & Production to troubleshoot tooling issues.
Identifies process improvement opportunities.
Support new product introductions by designing and validating required tooling.
Oversee tooling modifications, repairs, and improvements to enhance performance and tool life.
Work with tool room machinists to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet shop capabilities.
Conduct design reviews and ensure compliance with engineering standards and safety requirements.
Support continuous improvement, cost reduction, and cycle time optimization initiatives.
Maintain accurate documentation, revision control, and tooling records.
Applies technical knowledge to analyze, investigate and resolve assigned engineering problems.
Design and implement manufacturing processes including production flow, machine operation methods and production equipment to support operators and drive process improvement.
Create and modify work instructions as necessary to document processes critical to operations and quality establishing appropriate process controls.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
3 years of experience in tooling design within a manufacturing environment.
Strong proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar).
Experience with fixtures, jigs, dies, and production tooling.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to work cross-functionally and communicate effectively with shop floor personnel.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in a precision machining or metal fabrication environment.
Familiarity with SPC, lean manufacturing, and continuous improvement methodologies.
Experience supporting ISO or quality management systems.
Hands-on tool room or machining background.