Tool Design Engineer

Job Title: Tool Designer Progressive Stamping (Contract)
Location: Confidential Onsite
Department: Tooling / Manufacturing Engineering
Reports To: Tooling Manager
Employment Type: 12-Month Contract (Full-Time)
Shift: 1st Shift 5:00 AM start (aligns with Tool & Die Makers)
Pay: $35.00 $45.00 per hour DOE

Position Summary:
Design single-hit and progressive stamping dies and related tooling to meet quality cost and throughput targets. Create strip layouts stage sequencing and complete detail drawings; support die tryout debugging and sustaining changes in partnership with Tool & Die Makers and production.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop strip layouts and determine stage count/sequence for cutting piercing forming coining and extruding operations.

• Produce complete die designs (progressive and single-hit) assemblies and detailed component drawings with correct GD&T tolerances and materials.

• Review and interpret customer prints/models; advise on DFM changes to improve manufacturability cost and performance.

• Select die sets steels and components; balance design for maintainability speed and projected life/volume; optimize raw strip usage.

• Support press tryout and debug; perform/redline design updates and release revisions for production.

• Coordinate purchase of standard and custom tooling components; maintain BOMs and documentation.

• Collaborate cross-functionally (Tool Room Production Quality Supply Chain Customers as needed) to resolve issues and hit launch dates.

• Incorporate downstream/post-stamp processes (deburr plating passivation heat treat) into design considerations and specs.

• Apply and uphold safety quality and drawing standards throughout the design cycle.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or minimum 5 years progressive die design experience (or equivalent combination).

• Expert in progressive stamping die design strip layout feed progression pilots lifters cams strippers punches/dies and sensors.

• Strong GD&T and blueprint reading; fluent with tolerancing schemes and stack-ups.

• Broad knowledge of materials (stainless low-carbon steels copper alloys etc.) and their stamping behavior.

• Familiarity with post-processing (deburr plating heat treat) and its impact on tolerances/fit.

• Proficient with CAD (3D preferred) and drafting standards; able to generate clear manufacturable prints.

• Solid problem-solving and communication skills; effective on the floor during tryouts and with Tool & Die Makers.

• Trig/geometry shop math; comfortable with basic engineering calculations.

Nice to Have:

• Experience specifying/validating sensors in-die tapping/forming and stock straightening/feeding systems.

• Exposure to ERP/MRP for BOMs and component requisitions.

Physical & Work Environment:

• Primarily office/CAD work with routine time on the shop floor during build tryout and debug.

• Ability to stand/walk in a manufacturing environment and handle tooling components as needed (with assistance when required).