Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – Indexable Cutting Tools

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer Indexable Cutting Tools

Full or Part Time Position

Location: Flushing Michigan

We are seeking a highly experienced Mechanical Design Engineer with strong CNC machining and indexable cutting tool experience. This role is ideal for an engineer who understands both the design and application of precision cutting tools and can support custom tooling quoting manufacturability and customer-driven solutions.

The ideal candidate will have deep practical knowledge of indexable tooling metal cutting applications machining processes and cost drivers. Experience with estimating and quoting special indexable tools is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Design custom and indexable cutting tools used in precision CNC machining applications.
• Develop tooling concepts from customer RFQs part prints application data and machining requirements.
• Create CAD models drawings and engineering documentation for production release.
• Review RFQs prints GD&T material specifications machine capabilities and process requirements.
• Select and recommend appropriate indexable tooling solutions for turning milling drilling grooving threading and boring applications.
• Prepare or support accurate cost estimates and quotations for both special tooling and standard indexable products.
• Work closely with sales applications customers manufacturing quality and vendors to confirm feasibility lead times cost and performance expectations.
• Support tooling recommendations based on workpiece material setup rigidity coolant application machine horsepower production volume tool life and cost per part.
• Ensure designs meet performance cost manufacturability and delivery requirements.
• Help improve quote accuracy response time margin performance and quote win rate.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering Industrial Engineering Manufacturing Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience with indexable cutting tools; 10 years preferred.
• Experience designing indexable cutting tools such as boring bars milling cutters turning tools grooving tools threading tools cartridges form tools or similar precision tooling.
• Strong understanding of metal cutting processes CNC machining applications and tooling performance.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate part prints GD&T material specifications machine capabilities and process requirements.

Strong knowledge of key machining and cost drivers including:

• Speeds and Feeds
• Tool life
• Cycle time
• Cost per part
• Insert grade and geometry selection
• Setup rigidity
• Coolant application
• Machine horsepower and limitations

• Strong proficiency with SolidWorks AutoCAD or equal
• Strong design aptitude with the ability to apply CAD/CAM knowledge to real-world manufacturing challenges.
• Excellent organizational communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred Background

• Experience working for a cutting tool manufacturer cutting tool distributor or precision machining company.
• Experience quoting both special tooling and standard indexable products.
• Familiarity with aerospace medical automotive defense or general machining applications.
• Practical shop-floor experience or strong exposure to CNC machining operations.
• Experience supporting outside sales applications engineering and customer technical discussions.
• ERP CRM and Excel proficiency for quote development tracking and follow-up.
• Knowledge of insert nomenclature carbide grades coatings chip breakers clamping systems coolant-through tooling and tool failure analysis.

Required Experience:

Senior IC