Tooling Engineer

Frey Consulting Group; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Frey Consulting Group is seeking a Tooling Engineer to design tooling and manufacturing processes for fastener production, focusing on tool life, efficiency, and quality. This hands-on role requires working directly with operators and production teams on the shop floor.

You will create tooling drawings in SolidWorks and AutoCAD, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to tooling performance and production throughput. A strong mechanical background and collaborative mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology.
• 2+ years of experience with 3D CAD software (SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD).
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing/production environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop tooling, dies, fixtures, part progressions, and manufacturing processes.
• Create detailed tooling drawings using SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD.
• Work directly with operators and toolmakers to troubleshoot tooling and production issues.
• Identify and implement improvements to tool life, production rates, process efficiency, and part quality.
• Support new product introductions, tooling development, and process implementation.
• Analyze production issues, perform root-cause analysis, and develop practical corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Forming, Tooling, Wire Processing, and Production teams.
• Provide engineering support directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Maintain tooling drawings, engineering documentation, and process information.
• Support continuous improvement and maintain a strong focus on workplace safety.

Skills

Hands-on mindset

3D CAD

Mechanical aptitude

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering or Engineering Technology

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

We are seeking a Tooling Engineer to support tooling design, manufacturing processes, and continuous improvement in a fast-paced industrial manufacturing environment.

This is a hands-on engineering position for someone who enjoys working directly with operators, toolmakers, and production teams. The ideal candidate combines solid CAD skills with strong mechanical aptitude and practical manufacturing instincts.

You will help design tooling and manufacturing processes for fastener production while improving tool life, production efficiency, process reliability, and product quality.

What You'll Do

• Design and develop tooling, dies, fixtures, part progressions, and manufacturing processes.
• Create detailed tooling and manufacturing drawings using SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD.
• Work directly with operators and toolmakers to troubleshoot tooling and production issues.
• Identify and implement improvements to tool life, production rates, process efficiency, and part quality.
• Support new product introductions, tooling development, and process implementation.
• Analyze production issues, perform root-cause analysis, and develop practical corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Forming, Tooling, Wire Processing, and Production teams.
• Provide engineering support directly on the manufacturing floor.
• Maintain tooling drawings, engineering documentation, and process information.
• Support continuous improvement and maintain a strong focus on workplace safety.

What We're Looking For

The right candidate will have a hands-on manufacturing mindset and enjoy being part of the production environment.

We would rather hire someone with solid CAD skills and exceptional manufacturing instincts than someone with advanced CAD expertise who prefers to work exclusively behind a desk.

You should be comfortable:

• Working directly with operators and toolmakers.
• Diagnosing mechanical and tooling problems.
• Translating engineering concepts into practical production solutions.
• Communicating effectively with both technical and production personnel.
• Spending time on the shop floor to understand and solve manufacturing challenges.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 2+ years of experience with 3D CAD software, such as SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a manufacturing/production environment.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of nut and bolt cold-forming principles.
• Experience with tool design, mechanical design, tooling engineering, or manufacturing engineering.
• Hands-on experience with tooling, dies, fixtures, or cold-forming processes.
• Experience troubleshooting tooling or manufacturing issues on the production floor.
• Knowledge of process improvement and root-cause analysis.
• Proficiency with SolidWorks and/or AutoCAD.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on manufacturing performance. You will work alongside experienced production personnel and have the opportunity to influence tooling design, equipment performance, production efficiency, and product quality.

If you are an engineer who enjoys solving real manufacturing problems, working with people, and seeing your designs work on the production floor, this could be an excellent fit.

Safety

Safety is the highest priority in our manufacturing environment. All employees are expected to actively support safety policies, procedures, housekeeping standards, and safe work practices.