Tool Design & Development Engineer - Vulcanization Tooling

VAT Group; Sankt Gallen; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group, a leading vacuum solutions provider, is seeking a Design Engineer to design vulcanization tooling and fixtures for manufacturing. You will manage projects end-to-end, optimize processes, and ensure quality and cost targets while collaborating across Production, NPI, Process Engineering, Product Development, Quality Assurance and external partners.

Requirements include vocational training in design engineering or related field, fluent German and English, CAD proficiency (TopSolid 7),

Qualifications

• Completed technical vocational training in a design/engineering discipline.
• Fluent German and English written and spoken.
• Further education in mechanical engineering is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vulcanization tooling, fixtures, and technical solutions for manufacturing operations.
• Optimize tooling concepts to improve quality and cost efficiency.
• Create and maintain CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and technical documentation.
• Independently manage design and development projects with quality and schedule targets.
• Support NPI and industrialization projects through to serial production.
• Analyze processes and implement improvements for productivity and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety and engineering standards.
• Collaborate with Production, NPI, Process Engineering, Product Development and QA.

Skills

German language

English language

Interpersonal skills

Initiative

Communication

Education

Technical vocational training in Design Engineering/Polymechanic/Toolmaker

HF Mechanical Engineering Technician (advantage)

Tools

TopSolid 7 CAD

MS Office

ERP systems

Job description

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation - always working together as #oneVAT.

Location:

Haag, St. Gallen, CH

Employment Type: Permanent

About VAT Group

At VAT, we change the world with vacuum solutions. As the world’s leading supplier of high-performance vacuum valves, we have been driving innovation for more than 60 years. With over 3,200 employees worldwide, we operate from our headquarters in Haag, Switzerland, with manufacturing sites in Switzerland, Malaysia and Romania, as well as sales and service hubs around the world. We are guided by our passions: integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation - always working together as #oneVAT.

Joining us means becoming part of a passionate, international team where your voice is heard, your ideas matter, and your career growth is supported.

Purpose of the Role

This role is responsible for the design, development, and continuous improvement of vulcanization tooling, fixtures, and technical production solutions. By delivering innovative and robust tooling concepts, the position plays a key role in supporting new product industrialization, enhancing manufacturing efficiency, and ensuring product quality, process stability, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vulcanization tools, fixtures, and technical solutions for manufacturing operations.
• Optimize existing tooling concepts to improve quality, process stability, and cost efficiency.
• Create and maintain CAD models, manufacturing drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical documentation.
• Independently manage design and development projects while meeting quality, cost, and timeline objectives.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI) and industrialization projects through to successful serial production.
• Analyze manufacturing processes and implement technical improvements to enhance productivity, quality, and process reliability.
• Ensure compliance with quality, safety, and engineering standards.
• Collaborate closely with Production, NPI, Process Engineering, Product Development, Quality Assurance, and external partners.
• Contribute to the standardization of tooling concepts and the implementation of best-practice solutions.

Qualifications

• Completed technical vocational training as a Design Engineer, Polymechanic, Toolmaker, or a comparable technical discipline.
• Good written and spoken German and English skills.
• Further education as a Mechanical Engineering Technician (HF), Tool Design Technician, Plastics Engineering Technician, or equivalent is advantageous.
• Several years of experience in the design of tools, fixtures, or manufacturing equipment, ideally within plastics, elastomer, or vulcanization technology.
• Strong proficiency with CAD systems, preferably TopSolid 7.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, industrialization, and production operations.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications and ERP systems.
• Independent, structured, and solution-oriented working style with a high level of initiative and quality awareness.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions.

Our commitment to inclusion, fairness and equal opportunities

We believe in meaningful careers, continuous learning, and equal opportunities for everyone to drive our innovation and success. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and respectful workplace. If you have concerns, our compliance channel is available at our website. All reports are handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with our Code of Conduct.