Tooling Engineer

Pure Fishing; Sandwich (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Pure Fishing is seeking a Plastics Tooling Engineer to design, develop, and optimize tooling for plastic components in a hands-on, onsite setting. You will partner with engineering, manufacturing, R&D, and quality teams to improve injection molding processes, reduce costs, and support safe production operations.

Strong blueprint-reading and problem-solving skills are essential for success. The ideal candidate will have CAD proficiency (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA), knowledge of injection molding

Qualifications

• Experience in tooling design for plastics manufacturing.
• Strong CAD skills with SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
• Ability to read blueprints and technical drawings.
• Knowledge of injection molding processes and tooling materials.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical abilities.
• Experience mentoring employees and coaching teams.

Responsibilities

• Design tooling solutions for plastic parts production.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, R&D, NPD, and quality teams to meet specs.
• Optimize existing tooling designs through CI initiatives.
• Drive improvements to tools through engineering changes to cut costs and boost efficiency.
• Conduct tests and evaluations to validate tooling performance.
• Provide technical support to troubleshoot tooling issues during production.
• Stay current on industry trends in plastics tooling technology.
• Coordinate with outsourced tool shops on mold design, fabrication, and testing.

Skills

Blueprint reading

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Project & time management

Mentoring

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Plastics Engineering

5+ years tooling design experience

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

CATIA

Injection molding

CNC machining

Mold design

Job description

Posted Friday, August 7, 2026 at 5:00 AM

About Pure Fishing

Pure Fishing is a global leader in the fishing tackle industry, with a portfolio of iconic brands that includes Abu Garcia®, Berkley®,Fenwick®, Frabill®, PENN®, Pflueger®, Plano®, Savage Gear®, Shakespeare®, SpiderWire®, Ugly Stik®, and many more. The brands that came together to form Pure Fishing were founded by inventors and innovators responsible for many of the advancements in the fishing tackle industry that anglers worldwide benefit from today. Our team of industry-leading experts and our global network of operations and innovation hubs strive to find those next innovations and produce world-class products designed to delight our consumers, strengthen business for our customers, and build love for our brands globally.

But to us fishing is not just about business, it is about time shared with family and friends, for some the peace derived from time on the water or for others the thrill of the battle and satisfaction of the earned triumph, and for all that feeling you get with every catch. We are a passionate team hungry to win while dedicated to creating memorable experiences with our brands and products and helping anglers everywhere have more fun catching more fish. We want your next day on the water to be your best day on the water. At Pure Fishing we have high expectations for Execution, we strive to Empower our people every day, expect and encourage Authenticity.

Position Summary

As a Plastics Tooling Engineer, you will design, develop, and optimize tooling solutions that support the production of high-quality plastic components. Working in a collaborative, onsite environment, you will partner closely with cross-functional teams to improve injection molding processes, enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support safe, reliable operations. Success in this role requires strong blueprint-reading skills, attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Your contributions will have a direct impact on product quality, manufacturing performance, and continuous improvement throughout the operation.

What will you do:

• Design and develop tooling solutions for plastic parts production, considering factors such as material properties, part design, and production requirements.
• Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, R&D, NPD, and quality teams to ensure tooling meets project specifications and quality standards.
• Optimize existing tooling designs through continuous improvement initiatives and engineering changes to enhance efficiency, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
• Drive improvements to existing tools by implementing engineering changes that increase operational efficiency, improve performance, and reduce costs.
• Conduct tests and evaluations to validate tooling performance and identify areas for improvement.
• Provide technical support and expertise to troubleshoot tooling issues during production.
• Stay current on industry trends and advancements in plastics tooling technology to drive continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with outsourced tool shops on mold design, fabrication, and testing to support new product launches and ongoing production needs.

The ideal candidate will have:

• CAD Proficiency: Strong experience with CAD software such as SolidWorks and AutoCAD for designing tools, molds, and fixtures.
• Technical & Manufacturing Knowledge: Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings, with knowledge of injection molding, CNC machining, casting, and related manufacturing processes.
• Material Expertise: Understanding of tooling materials, including steel, aluminum, and plastics, and their performance in various manufacturing applications.
• Problem-Solving & Analytical Skills: Ability to analyze complex technical challenges and develop effective, practical solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Thorough approach to identifying and resolving design, material, and process issues before they impact production.
• Demonstrated passion for developing and mentoring employees, particularly those early in their skilled trades careers, with a strong focus on coaching and supporting direct reports.
• Project & Time Management: Demonstrated ability to prioritize work, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Additional qualifications that will help you be successful in this role:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, Plastics Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in tooling design and development, specifically in plastics manufacturing.
• Proficiency in CATIA software for designing tooling and molds.
• Strong knowledge of injection molding processes and tooling materials.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with internal teams and external vendors.

Travel:

• 10–20% travel may be required to support other company locations, vendors, and suppliers, including occasional international travel.