Tooling Designer (CAD-based)

As a Tooling Designer, you will be responsible for designing molds, dies, jigs, and fixtures using CAD software to support the manufacturing of precision plastic components. Your work will directly influence the efficiency, quality, and repeatability of production processes by delivering robust and manufacturable tooling solutions.

This is a direct-hire opportunity with our client in the plastic injection molding industry. The ideal candidate has a strong background in CAD design, a solid understanding of toolmaking and manufacturing processes, and experience designing tooling for high-volume production. Your expertise will be key in ensuring that tooling is designed to maximize performance, minimize waste, and meet tight production tolerances.

Responsibilities

• Design and model tooling components including molds, dies, jigs, and fixtures using 3D CAD software

• Collaborate with manufacturing, engineering, and quality teams to ensure tooling meets production and performance requirements

• Modify existing tooling designs to improve performance or accommodate engineering changes

• Produce detailed drawings and documentation for tool fabrication and assembly

• Ensure designs align with DFM (Design for Manufacturing) principles and comply with industry standards

• Support tool trials and provide technical input during prototyping and validation phases

• Maintain drawing records, part libraries, and tooling documentation throughout project lifecycle

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher in Mechanical Design, Tool Design, or a related field

• 3+ years of experience in tooling design, preferably in injection molding or precision manufacturing

• Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, Creo, or NX

• Strong understanding of mold design, machining processes, materials, and tolerances

• Experience with GD&T and interpreting technical drawings

• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• Familiarity with mold flow analysis software is a plus

Job Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

• 401(k) with employer match

• Opportunities for continued learning and skill development

• Collaborative, hands-on engineering environment

• Work on high-performance tooling solutions for critical applications

Salary Range

$62,000 – $86,000 annually, depending on experience, tooling complexity, and software proficiency.