Tooling Engineer - CAD, Fixtures & Process Improvement

Cadence Inc; Staunton (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 131,000; Full time

Job summary

Cadence Inc is seeking an experienced Tooling Engineer for its Staunton, VA facility. You will design and develop production tooling, manage projects from concept to production release, and partner with cross‑functional teams to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.

The role requires hands‑on tooling design expertise, CAD proficiency, and experience with GD&T and lean manufacturing principles. Onsite work with occasional cross‑functional collaboration across shifts.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of Tooling Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Tooling Engineering, or related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience designing tooling such as fixtures, gauges, molds, dies, and production support equipment.
• Strong proficiency with CAD software and engineering drawing development.
• Working knowledge of GD&T, DFM/DFA principles, and manufacturing processes.
• Experience solving tooling and production challenges through root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong communication, project management, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop production tooling including fixtures, jigs, gauges, molds, dies, injection molding assemblies, and related manufacturing equipment.
• Create and maintain 3D models, engineering drawings, and tooling documentation using CAD software.
• Support manufacturing operations by troubleshooting tooling‑related issues and implementing corrective actions to reduce downtime, scrap, and rework.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Production, Maintenance, and suppliers to develop tooling solutions that improve productivity and process performance.
• Manage tooling projects from concept through fabrication, validation, and production release.
• Conduct tooling trials, inspections, and capability studies to ensure tooling meets quality and dimensional requirements.
• Coordinate tooling maintenance, repairs, modifications, and lifecycle management activities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on tool life, cycle times, setup reduction, safety, and cost savings.
• Support quality and manufacturing qualification activities, including PPAP, APQP, FAI, and new product launches where applicable.
• Ensure tooling designs comply with applicable safety, ergonomic, customer, and industry requirements.

Skills

Tooling engineering

CAD software

GD&T / DFM‑DFA

Project management

Root‑cause analysis

Cross‑functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Tooling Engineering

Tools

CAD/CAM

Simulation software

Project management tools

Job description

Cadence Inc is seeking an experienced Tooling Engineer for its Staunton, VA facility. You will design and develop production tooling, manage projects from concept to production release, and partner with cross‑functional teams to improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance.

The role requires hands‑on tooling design expertise, CAD proficiency, and experience with GD&T and lean manufacturing principles. Onsite work with occasional cross‑functional collaboration across shifts.