Tooling Design Engineer | Fastener Products

Michael Page; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Unlimited PTO

Benefits package (BCBS)

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Michael Page is seeking an experienced Tooling Engineer for a fastener manufacturing client in Illinois. The role focuses on designing, developing, and improving tooling used in high-volume production, bridging engineering design with shop-floor execution.

You will lead tooling projects, support NPD, and apply GD&T and process improvements. Ideal candidates have 5+ years of tooling engineering experience in fastener manufacturing, CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, AutoCAD), and a strong background in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years tooling engineering experience in fastener manufacturing.
• Experience with cold heading, thread rolling, die/punch design, forming.
• CAD proficiency (SolidWorks/AutoCAD) and GD&T knowledge.
• Lean manufacturing and Six Sigma experience.
• Experience in high-volume production environments.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and improve tooling for fastener manufacturing, including cold heading, thread rolling, trimming, forming, and secondary processes.
• Support new product development through tooling design, prototyping, and process validation.
• Analyze tooling performance and implement improvements to increase productivity, quality, and tool life.
• Troubleshoot complex tooling and manufacturing issues affecting production efficiency and conformance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to improve process capability and throughput.
• Develop tooling specifications, prints, setup instructions, and maintenance procedures.
• Apply GD&T principles and engineering standards to tooling and process development.
• Conduct root cause analysis of tooling wear, breakage, and dimensional variation.
• Partner with tooling vendors and internal machine shops to ensure tooling meets performance requirements.
• Evaluate and implement new tooling technologies, materials, coatings, and manufacturing methods.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction, cycle time improvement, and cost savings.
• Provide technical guidance to toolmakers, machinists, operators, and manufacturing personnel.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Process improvement

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Opening for an experienced Tooling Engineer with a background in fastener manufacturing to support design, development, troubleshooting, and improvement of tooling used in high-volume production environments. This role is ideal for a hands-on engineering professional with expertise in cold heading, thread rolling, stamping, or other fastener manufacturing processes who can bridge engineering design with shop-floor execution.

My client is a global manufacturer of high-quality metal components, serving a variety of industries including Automotive & Aerospace. They have recently made an enormous investment into their IL site, and have moved into a state of the art facility near O'Hare.

Description

• Design, develop, and improve tooling for fastener manufacturing operations, including cold heading, thread rolling, trimming, forming, and secondary processes.
• Support new product development through tooling design, prototyping, and process validation.
• Analyze tooling performance and implement improvements to increase productivity, quality, and tool life.
• Troubleshoot complex tooling and manufacturing issues affecting production efficiency and product conformance.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and engineering teams to improve process capability and throughput.
• Develop tooling specifications, prints, setup instructions, and maintenance procedures.
• Apply GD&T principles and engineering standards to tooling and process development.
• Conduct root cause analysis of tooling wear, breakage, dimensional variation, and production defects.
• Partner with tooling vendors and internal machine shops to ensure tooling meets performance requirements.
• Evaluate and implement new tooling technologies, materials, coatings, and manufacturing methods.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on scrap reduction, cycle time improvement, and cost savings.
• Provide technical guidance to toolmakers, machinists, operators, and manufacturing personnel.

Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline. Equivalent experience may be considered.
• Minimum of 5+ years of tooling engineering experience within fastener manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of cold heading, thread rolling, die design, punch design, and forming processes.
• Experience supporting high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency interpreting engineering drawings, blueprints, and GD&T requirements.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills.
• Experience working closely with production and manufacturing teams to improve tooling performance.
• Experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or similar design platforms.
• Knowledge of tooling materials, heat treatment processes, coatings, and metallurgy.
• Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Experience with automotive, industrial, construction, aerospace, or specialty fastener manufacturing.

Job Offer

• Base salary $100,000 - $135,000 depending on experience
• Annual bonus based on EBITDA
• Unlimited PTO + company holidays
• Comprehensive benefits package through BCBS
• Tuition assistance program

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.