Tooling Engineer

Sub-Zero, Inc.; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Sub-Zero Group in Madison, WI seeks an experienced Metal Forming Tooling Engineer to lead tooling design and qualification within the Manufacturing Engineering team. The role focuses on press-formed sheet metal, tooling costs, supplier coordination, and transition of tooling from development to production, with hands-on collaboration across production and NPD teams.

Bachelor's degree in engineering required; 10–12 years in tool and process design for stainless appliance parts preferred;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Experience leading capital projects for large (600 to 900 ton) presses, tooling, and related equipment.
• Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred).
• Experience in tooling specification and procurement.

Responsibilities

• As a technical expert, support needs related to the metal forming processes and equipment including tooling implementation.
• Review product part designs and develop tooling concepts and specifications, submit RFQ packages and manage tooling suppliers.
• Lead tooling design, qualification, and procurement activities, and oversee tooling build and validation.
• Direct transition of tooling/equipment/docs from development to production and provide production support for defect resolution.
• Estimate tooling costs and lead times; develop material specifications and support sourcing.

Skills

Project leadership

Tooling management

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's in Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoForm

Ansys Forming

Pam Stamp

Job description

Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, the leading manufacturer of luxury kitchen appliances is a longstanding, family-owned company in the Madison WI area. Icons of design and paragons of performance and quality, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove are the refrigeration, cooking, and dishwashing specialists found in world’s most luxurious homes. We look for team members who are driven by innovation and excellence, striving to serve our customers by doing what is right—with integrity, teamwork, and accountability.

Our Manufacturing Engineering team is integral to the success of developing and implementing new products and guiding how we make our products at Sub-Zero Group.

Growth and development are important aspects of this position. Whether you aspire to be a leader or a technical expert, this position will set you up for success in the future.

Primary Responsibilities

We are seeking an experienced Metal Forming Tooling Engineer with a hands‑on approach to provide subject matter expertise as a member of the Manufacturing Engineering team.

This role will support new product development activities and the transition from component concepts to reality in a manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in the press formed sheet metal forming processes, tool design and qualification, and continuous improvement methodologies as well as the ability to engage with the production floor operators, supervisors, and cross functional New Product Development Teams.

• As a technical expert, support needs related to the metal forming processes and equipment including implementation of new tooling, presses and related equipment
• Use industry experience to expand a network of tooling suppliers and function as key engineer for responsible projects
• Use knowledge of tooling and processes to review related part design concepts and provide input for design for manufacturing
• Use industry experience to estimate tooling costs and lead times
• Review product part designs and develop tooling concepts and specifications, submit RFQ packages for tooling and work closely with external tooling suppliers to develop tool designs, oversee tooling build and validation, manage multiple tooling projects at a time according to new product development schedules
• Direct teams in the transition of tooling/equipment/programs/process documentation from development to production
• Provide support to our production engineers/ technicians/ etc., to determine root causes and solve part / process defects
• Use knowledge of materials to create material specifications, support design engineering team(s) in material selection and supply chain in material sourcing projects

We value our employees by providing:

• Competitive compensation based on skills
• Industry leading health, dental, and vision plans
• Generous 401 (K) savings and profit sharing
• On-site UW Health clinic, fitness center, and walking paths
• Education assistance and internal training programs
• Electric vehicle charging
• Maternity & paternity leave

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

Experience leading capital projects related to large (600 to 900 ton) presses, tooling, and related equipment

Experience with CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred)

Experience in specifying and implementing hydraulic and mechanical press cells

Working knowledge of manufacturing process monitoring and control methods

Hands‑on experience in tooling project management

Experience in tooling specification and procurement

Design of tooling for drawn parts as well as progressive coil fed dies

10-12 years:

Tool (Die) and process design work experience involving highly aesthetic stainless steel and similar appliance type parts or equivalent combination of related post-secondary education and work experience

Preferred

Experience implementing press cell automation

Knowledge of GD&T ANSI Y14.5 and basic metrology methods

Experience with metal forming simulation software (AutoForm, Ansys Forming, Pam Stamp, etc.)

Experience in process risk assessments, risk reduction and system validation processes

Equal Opportunity Employer
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