Tool Design & Development Engineer - Vulcanization Tooling

VAT Group; Sennwald; On-site; CHF 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group in Switzerland is seeking a Design Engineer specialized in vulcanization tooling to join our advanced manufacturing team. You will design tooling, fixtures, and production solutions to support new product industrialization and ongoing process improvements.

Collaborating with Production, NPI, Process Engineering and Quality Assurance, you will ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance while driving standardization of tooling concepts and best-practice methods across the organization.

Qualifications

• Vocational training in design/tooling fields.
• Experience in tool/fixture/manufacturing equipment design.
• Good German and English written/spoken skills.
• Proficient with CAD and manufacturing documentation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop vulcanization tools and fixtures.
• Optimize tooling concepts for quality and cost.
• Create CAD models, drawings, BOMs, and docs.
• Lead design projects meeting time and cost targets.
• Support NPI and industrialization through serial production.
• Analyze processes and implement improvements.
• Ensure compliance with quality and safety standards.
• Collaborate with Production, NPI, Process Engineering, QA.
• Drive standardization of tooling concepts and best practices.

Skills

German language

English language

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Education

Technical vocational training (Design Engineer / Polymechanic / Toolmaker)

HF Mechanical Engineering Technician

Tools

TopSolid 7

MS Office

ERP systems

CAD software

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 guided by our passions integrity, teamwork, customer centricity, and innovation - always working together as #oneVAT.

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 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.