Tools Designer

LTD Material LLC; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

LTD Material LLC in Austin, TX seeks a skilled Tooling Designer to design and improve tools, jigs, fixtures, and workholding devices for manufacturing. You will translate part drawings and production requirements into practical tooling concepts, from concept through fabrication and testing to production use.

You will develop 3D CAD models and detailed drawings, select materials, evaluate manufacturability, and collaborate with machinists and suppliers to ensure tool performance, safety, and

Qualifications

• Experience designing tooling for manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency in 3D CAD (SolidWorks, Inventor, or equivalent).
• Ability to produce complete manufacturing drawings and assemblies for fabrication.
• Strong understanding of machining, material selection, and mechanical design.
• Ability to interpret drawings, GD&T, tolerances, and repeatability.

Responsibilities

• Design tools, fixtures, jigs, and workholding devices for manufacturing, machining, assembly, and inspection.
• Develop tooling designs from part drawings and process requirements with input from production.
• Create 3D models and 2D drawings and BOMs.
• Select materials and clamping methods; ensure manufacturability and durability.
• Collaborate with machinists, engineers, and suppliers to support tooling fabrication.

Skills

Tooling design

3D CAD

Manufacturing drawings

GD&T

Mechanical design

Education

Associate degree or technical cert

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

We are seeking a skilled Tooling Designer to design, develop, and improve tools, jigs, fixtures, and workholding devices used in a manufacturing environment. This position translates part drawings and production requirements into practical tooling designs that improve accuracy, repeatability, safety, and efficiency. The ideal candidate can independently develop designs from concept through fabrication, testing, and production use.

Key Responsibilities

• Design custom tools, fixtures, jigs, and workholding devices for manufacturing, machining, assembly, and inspection processes.
• Develop original tooling designs based on part drawings, CAD models, process requirements, and input from production personnel.
• Create detailed 3D CAD models, 2D manufacturing drawings, assembly drawings, and bills of materials.
• Incorporate appropriate dimensions, tolerances, material specifications, and assembly requirements into drawings.
• Design fixtures that securely locate and hold parts while providing adequate access for machining, processing, loading, and unloading.
• Select suitable materials, hardware, locating components, and clamping mechanisms for each application.
• Evaluate designs for manufacturability, durability, ease of use, maintenance, and cost.
• Work with machinists, engineers, production employees, and outside suppliers to support tooling fabrication and implementation.
• Assist with prototype assembly, fit checks, and production trials to verify tooling performance.
• Troubleshoot tooling problems and modify existing designs to improve part quality, reduce setup time, and minimize scrap.
• Maintain accurate design files, drawing revisions, and tooling documentation.
• Consider operator safety, ergonomics, and protection of the workpiece throughout the design process.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience designing tools, fixtures, jigs, or workholding devices for a manufacturing environment.
• Proficiency with 3D CAD software such as SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, or an equivalent design platform.
• Ability to produce complete manufacturing drawings and assemblies suitable for fabrication.
• Strong understanding of machining and fabrication processes, material selection, and mechanical design principles.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, dimensional tolerances, and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T).
• Understanding of part locating, clamping, clearance, tolerance accumulation, and repeatability.
• Ability to develop practical designs independently and resolve problems during fabrication and production use.
• Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and ability to manage multiple projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing tooling for CNC machining, grinding, polishing, welding, or automated manufacturing.
• Hands‑on experience with machining, toolmaking, fixture assembly, or manufacturing equipment.
• Experience supporting precision manufacturing and handling delicate or easily damaged components.
• Associate degree, technical certification, or other education in mechanical design, manufacturing technology, or a related field; equivalent practical experience will also be considered.