Tooling Engineer

Petersen Inc.; Ogden (UT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Petersen Inc. in Ogden, UT, is seeking a hands-on Tooling Engineer to design tooling, fixtures, and workholding, develop SolidWorks models and fabrication drawings, and ensure manufacturability and cost-effectiveness.

You will collaborate with machinists and CNC programmers, improve setup time and throughput, drive SMED-related improvements, and promote continuous improvement through shop-floor engagement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4-7 years of experience in tooling, fixturing, or manufacturing engineering.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks.
• Strong understanding of machining and fabrication processes.
• Experience designing tooling and supporting machining operations.
• Ability and willingness to work directly in a shop environment on a regular basis.

Responsibilities

• Design tooling, fixtures, and workholding solutions.
• Develop SolidWorks models and detailed fabrication drawings.
• Ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, accessible, and cost-effective.
• Define and standardize tooling and component selection.
• Develop and maintain tooling systems and standards (including tooling data structure and best practices).
• Collaborate with machinists and CNC programmers during setup and production.
• Improve setup time, repeatability, and overall manufacturing efficiency.

Skills

SolidWorks proficiency

Machining knowledge

Shop floor collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

Tools

SolidWorks

Job description

• Design tooling, fixtures, and workholding solutions
• Develop SolidWorks models and detailed fabrication drawings
• Ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, accessible, and cost-effective
• Define and standardize tooling and component selection
• Develop and maintain tooling systems and standards (including tooling data structure and best practices)
• Collaborate with machinists and CNC programmers during setup and production
• Improve setup time, repeatability, and overall manufacturing efficiency
• Drive reduction of waste in machining processes (setup time, motion, overprocessing, rework)
• Develop standardized tooling and fixturing solutions to improve consistency and flow
• Support setup reduction efforts (e.g., SMED principles)
• Identify and implement improvements that increase throughput and reduce variability
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling and fixturing
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through hands-on engagement in the shop
• Spend regular, consistent time in the machine shop supporting builds and machining operations
• Work directly with machinists during setup, prove-out, and troubleshooting
• Observe real-world performance of tooling and refine designs accordingly
• Act as a hands-on engineering resource to ensure practical, executable solutions

Core Responsibilities

• Design tooling, fixtures, and workholding solutions
• Develop SolidWorks models and detailed fabrication drawings
• Ensure tooling designs are manufacturable, accessible, and cost-effective
• Define and standardize tooling and component selection
• Develop and maintain tooling systems and standards (including tooling data structure and best practices)
• Collaborate with machinists and CNC programmers during setup and production
• Improve setup time, repeatability, and overall manufacturing efficiency

Lean & Continuous Improvement Responsibilities

• Drive reduction of waste in machining processes (setup time, motion, overprocessing, rework)
• Develop standardized tooling and fixturing solutions to improve consistency and flow
• Support setup reduction efforts (e.g., SMED principles)
• Identify and implement improvements that increase throughput and reduce variability
• Participate in root cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling and fixturing
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement through hands-on engagement in the shop

Shop Floor Engagement

• Spend regular, consistent time in the machine shop supporting builds and machining operations
• Work directly with machinists during setup, prove-out, and troubleshooting
• Observe real-world performance of tooling and refine designs accordingly
• Act as a hands-on engineering resource to ensure practical, executable solutions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 4-7 years of experience in tooling, fixturing, or manufacturing engineering
• Proficiency in SolidWorks
• Strong understanding of machining and fabrication processes
• Experience designing tooling and supporting machining operations
• Ability and willingness to work directly in a shop environment on a regular basis

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on machining or fabrication experience
• Experience with CNC processes and work holding strategies
• Familiarity with tooling systems and data management (e.g., TDM concepts)
• Experience applying Lean manufacturing principles (standard work, SMED, continuous improvement)
• Experience improving setup time, cycle time, and process repeatability

What Success Looks Like

• Tooling and fixtures are reliable, repeatable, and easy to use
• Standardized tooling approaches reduce variability across jobs
• Measurable reductions in setup time and process waste
• Strong alignment between engineering and shop execution
• High credibility with machinists and manufacturing teams