Tooling Design Engineer

Department: Contract Manufacturing Services (CMS)
Reports to: Manufacturing Engineer Manager

Position Summary

The Tooling Design Engineer supports contract manufacturing operations by designing, developing, and sustaining production tooling, fixtures, work holding, and automation-ready solutions that enable safe, efficient, and repeatable manufacturing processes. This role focuses on improving quality, throughput, and equipment effectiveness through robust design, errorproofing (poka-yoke), automation integration, and sensor-based feedback.

The Tooling Design Engineer works cross-functionally with Applications Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Controls, Quality, Purchasing, and Production to support new customer programs, production launches, and continuous improvement initiatives in a high-mix manufacturing environment.

Job Responsibilities

Tooling, Fixture & Automation Design

• Design and detail prototype and production tooling, fixtures, and work holding for laser welding and related manufacturing processes from concept through production release.
• Perform design calculations, evaluate design alternatives, and conduct cost analyses to meet performance, quality, and budget targets.
• Incorporate automation concepts into tooling designs, including automated, semiautomated, and operator-assisted systems.
• Specify and integrate automation sensors such as photoeyes, proximity sensors, load sensors, pressure switches, and vision components.
• Design tooling to support quality and throughput with built-in error-proofing (pokayoke) to prevent defects and reduce reliance on inspection.
• Ensure tooling and automation designs comply with safety, ergonomic, and machine safeguarding requirements.

Documentation & Engineering Support

• Create and maintain complete design documentation, including layouts, detail drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), ECRs, spare parts lists, and operation manuals.
• Design, build, test, and analyze prototype components and tooling assemblies.
• Provide hands-on technical support during tooling build, debug, installation, and production launch.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing and Purchasing to ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, serviceable, and cost-effective.

Manufacturing & Operations Support

• Support new product introductions (NPI), engineering changes, and production launches with robust, production-ready tooling and automation.
• Troubleshoot tooling, automation, sensor, and I/O issues on the production floor to minimize downtime, scrap, and quality issues.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, labor efficiency, defect reduction, and cost improvement.

Supplier, Customer & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work with external tooling, automation, and sensor suppliers to source, build, qualify, and improve equipment.
• Lead design reviews with Applications, Operations, Quality, and Controls to ensure manufacturability and customer alignment.
• Support technical reviews, audits, and problem-solving activities related to tooling and automation.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience with a minimum of six (6) years of design engineering experience.
• Strong experience in tooling, fixture, and/or machine design in a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred) and Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver custom tooling that meets customer expectations, performance requirements, and budget targets.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting skills and ability to support production.
• Ability to travel up to 10% with travel to customer or supplier facilities for design reviews, installation, and service support as required.

Physical Demands

• Combination of design work and hands-on support in a production environment.
• Extended periods of sitting and computer use.
• Periods of standing, walking, and working around manufacturing equipment.

All Preco, LLC employees are empowered to stop production and notify their supervisor/manager if an unsafe act or product quality concern is occurring.  Also, each member of the Preco – Somerset team is responsible for identifying continuous improvement opportunities and participating in problem-solving teams as necessary