Cold Forming Tool Design Engineer Jobs in Connecticut

Position Summary:
The Tool Designer is responsible for the design, development, and documentation of deep draw tooling, progressive dies, fixtures, and inspection gages used throughout the manufacturing facility. This role works within the Engineering department under the Engineering Manager and is the primary technical owner of all tooling design output, from initial concept through final release to the production floor.
The Tool Designer owns the controlled tooling drawing packages that serve as the authoritative reference for setup, production, and tool maintenance on each active job. This position is responsible for keeping drawing packages current as tooling is modified or revised by internal and external toolmakers, as well as for sourcing, purchasing, and tracking outside tooling. The Tool Designer is expected to partner closely with the internal toolroom, vendors, manufacturing engineering, and production to ensure tooling is designed, built, and documented for repeatable, high-quality manufacturing.
Essential Functions:
To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each stated essential function, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation may be made to help qualified individuals with disabilities perform the essential functions.
Key Responsibilities:
Tool, Fixture & Gage Design:
§ Design deep draw tooling, progressive dies, secondary fixtures, and inspection gages in SolidWorks.
§ Develop tooling concepts that meet customer print requirements, material specifications, and production volumes.
§ Apply GD&T per ASME Y14.5 to ensure tools, fixtures, and gages produce and verify parts within specification.
§ Generate detailed manufacturing drawings, bills of material, and component prints for toolmakers and outside vendors.
§ Support draw analysis, tonnage estimation, and design validation as needed to confirm tooling intent prior to build.
Tooling Drawing Package Management:
§ Build and maintain the controlled tooling drawing package for each active job as the authoritative reference for setup, production, and maintenance.
§ Update drawing packages whenever tooling is modified, repaired, or revised by internal or external toolmakers.
§ Verify red-line changes presented by the toolroom and incorporate them into the controlled drawing set.
§ Ensure all drawing revisions are properly tracked, dated, and accessible to production, setup, and toolroom personnel.
§ Maintain version control and archive obsolete revisions in accordance with QMS document control requirements.
External Tooling Procurement & Vendor Coordination:
§ Source, quote, and place orders for outside tooling, components, and consumables in support of active and new tool builds.
§ Track all outside tooling purchases through receipt, qualification, and release to the floor.
§ Manage vendor relationships and hold suppliers accountable for delivery, quality, and design intent.
§ Conduct vendor visits and tool tryouts as needed to support new tool builds, debug, or troubleshoot existing tooling.
§ Maintain accurate purchase records, lead time data, and vendor performance information.
Internal Toolroom Support & Continuous Improvement:
§ Partner with the internal toolroom on tool builds, repairs, modifications, and tryouts.
§ Provide design support and drawing clarification to toolmakers during fabrication, setup, and rework.
§ Drive design-for-manufacturability improvements that reduce tool cost, setup time, and downtime, and support new product introduction with tooling concepts and budgetary estimates.
§ Capture lessons learned from tool issues and incorporate improvements into future designs, escalating systemic or high-risk issues to the Engineering Manager with documented data and recommendations.
§ Performs other duties as directed.
§ Supports continuous improvement, safety, and audit preparation initiatives as assigned.
Requirements
Position Qualifications and Competency Statements:
§ SolidWorks Proficiency: Advanced ability to design tooling, fixtures, and gages in SolidWorks, including parts, assemblies, and detailed drawings.
§ Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of deep draw tooling design, progressive dies, and metal forming principles.
§ GD&T: Proficient application of GD&T per ASME Y14.5 to tooling, fixtures, and inspection gages.
§ Attention to Detail: Produces accurate, complete, and revision-controlled drawing packages.
§ Communication: Clear, direct communication with toolmakers, engineers, vendors, and production personnel.
§ Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose tooling issues and drive design-based solutions through to resolution.
Skills and Abilities:
§ Required education: Based on experience. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Tool & Die preferred; equivalent hands-on experience considered.
§ Required experience: Minimum 5 years of tool design experience, with direct experience designing deep draw tooling, fixtures, and gages in SolidWorks.
§ Required proficiencies: Advanced SolidWorks (parts, assemblies, drawings), GD&T per ASME Y14.5, deep draw and metal forming principles, drawing package and revision control, and outside vendor management.
§ Required attributes: Strong technical judgment, ownership mindset, attention to detail, and ability to balance design quality with production timelines.
Work Environment:
This position involves working both in office and within the shop work environment, including time spent in the toolroom and on the production floor supporting tool tryouts and setup. Occasional travel is required to support outside vendor visits and tool tryouts. The employee must be aware of potential hazards, including, but not limited to, working in close proximity to moving mechanical parts, operating vehicles, exposure to electrical current, high temperatures, and chemicals. It is critical that the Tool Designer maintain situational awareness while actively engaging on the production floor and in the toolroom.
Salary Description
50-55 / HR