Mech Engineer Tooling & CAD/CAM

Accelera; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Accelera is seeking a practical Mechanical Engineer focused on Tooling, Fixtures, and CAD/CAM to support a growing precision manufacturing facility. You will transform client 3D models into manufacturing workflows, designing production tooling and CAM strategies while aiding CNC operations and supplier coordination.

You will balance desk‑based design work with hands‑on problem solving on the shop floor, ensuring high quality processes across aerospace, defense, medical devices, and industrial

Qualifications

• Minimum of two years designing production equipment, molds, fixtures, or tooling.
• Strong 3D CAD skills and ability to translate drawings into 3D models.
• CAM programming experience for CNC equipment.
• Ability to read engineering blueprints and GD&T standards.
• Hands-on problem solving on the production floor preferred.
• Clear communication with machinists, suppliers, and engineering staff.
• U.S. Person criteria to handle ITAR‑regulated projects.

Responsibilities

• Create designs for molds, fixtures, mandrels, trim guides, and gauges.
• Translate STEP files and drawings into functional 3D models and manufacturing plans.
• Generate CAM programming for routers and CNC mills and assist with prove‑out.
• Perform tolerance stack‑ups to guide material and clamping choices.
• Resolve fit and tooling issues directly at the machine to keep production moving.
• Collaborate with quality and production to address nonconforming components.
• Evaluate drawings and GD&T to address manufacturing hurdles.
• Assist development of measurement strategies including CMM/FARO requirements.
• Estimate labor hours, tooling needs, and costs for customer projects.
• Manage procurement by soliciting bids from suppliers and shops.
• Oversee customer initiatives from design to final production.

Skills

2+ years experience

3D CAD

CAM programming

GD&T interpretation

On-floor problem solving

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering

Tools

Autodesk Fusion 360

Haas CNC

PolyWorks

CMM / FARO

3D printing for jigs/fixtures

Job description

Our team is looking for a practical Mechanical Engineer specialized in Tooling, Fixtures, and CAD/CAM to bolster our expanding precision manufacturing facility. We support diverse sectors including aerospace, defense, medical devices, and industrial markets.

You will be responsible for transforming client 3D models and blueprints into tangible manufacturing workflows. This position involves designing production tooling, creating CAD/CAM strategies, assisting with CNC operations, resolving production challenges, coordinating with external vendors, and engaging directly on the shop floor to ensure consistent, high-quality manufacturing processes. We are seeking someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, balancing desk-based design work with active, hands‑on problem solving on the production floor.

Role Overview

Our team is looking for a practical Mechanical Engineer specialized in Tooling, Fixtures, and CAD/CAM to bolster our expanding precision manufacturing facility. We support diverse sectors including aerospace, defense, medical devices, and industrial markets.

You will be responsible for transforming client 3D models and blueprints into tangible manufacturing workflows. This position involves designing production tooling, creating CAD/CAM strategies, assisting with CNC operations, resolving production challenges, coordinating with external vendors, and engaging directly on the shop floor to ensure consistent, high-quality manufacturing processes. We are seeking someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, balancing desk-based design work with active, hands‑on problem solving on the production floor.

Primary Duties

• Create designs for molds, bonding and machining fixtures, mandrels, trim guides, and various production gauges.
• Translate customer‑provided STEP files and technical drawings into functional 3D models and manufacturing plans.
• Generate CAM programming for routers and CNC mills while assisting machinists with the initial prove‑out process.
• Execute tolerance stack‑up analyses to help ensure the team selects the best materials, clamping methods, and production strategies.
• Resolve fit, dimensional, and tooling issues directly at the machine to keep production moving.
• Collaborate with quality and production staff to analyze nonconforming components and implement effective corrective measures.
• Evaluate technical drawings and GD&T specifications to proactively address potential manufacturing hurdles.
• Assist in the development of measurement strategies, including inspection planning, gauge selection, and CMM/FARO requirements.
• Calculate labor hours, tooling needs, and overall costs for incoming customer projects.
• Manage the procurement process by soliciting and reviewing bids from material suppliers and external machine shops.
• Oversee various customer initiatives, guiding them from the initial design phase through to final production.

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of direct experience in the design of production equipment, molds, fixtures, or tooling.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD software.
• Proven background in CAM programming for CNC equipment.
• Competency in interpreting complex engineering blueprints and GD&T standards.
• A solid grasp of the practical methods used to fabricate parts, tooling, and fixtures.
• A preference for resolving technical challenges on the production floor over working solely within a digital CAD environment.
• Strong analytical skills and a commitment to seeing tasks through to completion.
• Clear communication skills to effectively coordinate with machinists, customers, suppliers, and engineering staff.
• The ability to balance multiple ongoing projects and ensure they reach successful completion.
• Must satisfy U.S. Person criteria to handle ITAR‑regulated projects.

Educational Background

We look for a Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, or a related field. Alternatively, equivalent professional experience in machining, tooling, CAD/CAM, or manufacturing engineering is acceptable. Candidates who can prove their technical and hands‑on expertise will be considered regardless of their formal degree status.

Preferred Technical Background

• Autodesk Fusion 360 for CAD/CAM.
• Experience with Haas CNC machinery.
• Expertise in tool and fixture design.
• Background in tool‑and‑die or mold fabrication.
• Experience with carbon‑fiber or composite production.
• Knowledge of injection molding or other tooling‑heavy manufacturing.
• CNC machining experience with plastics, aluminum, foam, or composites.
• Familiarity with metrology tools like PolyWorks, CMM, or FARO arms.
• Utilizing 3D printing for jigs, fixtures, or manufacturing aids.
• Exposure to ISO 13485, ISO 9001, AS9100, or regulated manufacturing environments.

Essential proficiencies include:

• Machine Building and Assembly
• Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
• Design for Assembly (DFA)
• Mechanical Engineering and Design
• Aerospace Manufacturing Processes
• CAD/CAM Systems

Technologies and equipment you will operate:

• CNC Automation Systems
• CNC Laser Cutting equipment
• 2-4 Axis CNC Lathes
• CAD Platforms
• CAM Platforms
• 5+ Axis CNC Lathes
• Precision measuring tools like Micrometers and Calipers