Tooling Design Engineer

Precision Castparts; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cherry Aerospace seeks a Tooling Engineer in California to oversee tool and fixture design, build, and procurement for wax assemblies, molds, and fixtures. You will use CAD/FEA to ensure compliance with safety, quality, and performance targets while driving delivery, cost efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration.

The role emphasizes hands-on design work, fixture lifecycle documentation, on-site supplier visits, and process improvements to support investment casting operations in a

Qualifications

• 5+ years in tooling/fixture design and procurement.
• Strong proficiency in dimensional gaging, fixtures, and multi-axis handling equipment.
• Understanding of ANSI Y14.5 GD&T standards.

Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and process tooling packages for supplier quotations, design, and build.
• Provide tooling and process design support using CAD tools (SolidWorks) including FEA for stress analysis.
• Develop 3D CAD models of tooling and related process assemblies; conduct design analysis via FEA and evaluate results.
• Manage RFQs and process purchase orders (Z-level).
• Track supplier deliveries, close invoices and finalize fixture drawings.
• Conduct on-site supplier visits to assess progress and resolve technical issues.
• Maintain fixture lifecycle documentation (quotations, designs, work orders, records).
• Innovate procedures to meet engineering and manufacturing requirements cost-effectively.
• Assist with customer tooling audits as required.

Skills

Tooling design

Procurement

CAD tools

FEA

Project management

MS Office

Education

BS in Engineering (preferred)

AS in Engineering/Technical field (8‑12 yrs exp acceptable)

Tools

SolidWorks

FEA software

MS Office

Job description

Mission

Job Description

The Tooling Engineer is responsible for overseeing tool and fixture design, build, and procurement processes, ensuring that wax assemblies, molds, and fixtures meet functional, safety, and performance requirements. Leveraging CAD and stress analysis software, this role supports investment casting processes with a focus on timely delivery, quality, and cost efficiency, aligning with company-wide objectives for development and production.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, analyze, and process tooling packages for supplier quotations, design, and build.
• Provide tooling and process design support using CAD tools (SolidWorks or similar), including Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress analysis.
• Develop 3D CAD models of tooling and related process assemblies; conduct design analysis via FEA, performing meshing, calculations, and results evaluation.
• Manage Requests for Quotations (RFQs) and process Z-level purchase orders.
• Track supplier deliveries, close out invoices, work orders, and finalize fixture drawings.
• Conduct on-site visits to suppliers to assess progress and address technical concerns, coordinating with suppliers, manufacturing, and engineering teams.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive fixture lifecycle documentation, including quotations, designs, work orders, and relevant records.
• Innovate and enhance procedures and techniques to meet engineering, tooling, and manufacturing requirements in a cost-effective manner.
• Assist with customer tooling audits as required.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in tooling/fixture design and procurement with deep expertise in tool design, stress analysis, machining, fabrication, welding, and materials application.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong proficiency in dimensional gaging, machining holding fixtures, templates, and multi-axis part handling equipment.
• Engineering Fundamentals: Solid grounding in statics, strength of materials, and stress analysis; advanced experience in FEA preferred.
• Drawing and Tolerance Standards: Thorough understanding of engineering design practices, revision control, and ANSI Y14.5 standards for geometric dimensioning and tolerances.
• Education: BS in Engineering preferred but not needed; AS in Engineering/Technical field with 8-12 years of relevant hands‑on experience acceptable.
• Software Proficiency: Skilled in SolidWorks or similar CAD software for tool and product design; proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Access, Outlook).
• Project Management: Capable of managing high volumes of tooling quotations and orders, and adept at resolving technical, cost, or delivery issues with suppliers and design teams.

Additional Information

Cherry Aerospace offers a dynamic work environment with opportunities to innovate and lead in advanced aerospace tooling design.