SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Tooling Designer plays a critical role in the design, development, and maintenance of precision progressive stamping dies for punch press and clamp machines. This role will be responsible for the design of high-volume production dies, improving existing dies, and ensuring all tooling meets safety, quality, and reliability standards. Additionally, they will collaborate with the New Product Development team to create prototype dies, assist with new product design. This position requires close collaboration with engineering, quality, machine operators, toolmakers, and third-party partners to optimize tooling performance, troubleshoot issues, and drive continuous improvement.

REPORTING TO: Tooling Engineering Manager

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Progressive Die Design & Manufacturing Performance
  • Deliver progressive die designs that achieve safety, quality, productivity, and cost objectives.
  • Ensure tooling designs support high-volume manufacturing requirements while maximizing die life, reliability, and maintainability.
  • Drive continuous improvement of existing tooling to improve throughput, reduce downtime, minimize scrap, and enhance overall equipment effectiveness.
  • Establish and maintain tooling standards that promote consistency, repeatability, and best practices across manufacturing operations.
• Tooling Reliability & Lifecycle Management
  • Ensure production tooling meets defined performance, durability, and maintenance expectations throughout its lifecycle.
  • Develop strategies that extend tooling life and reduce unplanned downtime through effective design.
  • Establish tooling documentation, standards, and processes that improve asset management and knowledge retention.
  • Drive root-cause problem solving and corrective actions for tooling-related production issues.
• Engineering Documentation & Technical Excellence
  • Maintain accurate and complete tooling designs, engineering models, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation.
  • Ensure tooling designs effectively communicate design intent and manufacturing requirements to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Leverage CAD and engineering tools to support efficient design iterations and successful implementation of tooling solutions.
  • Apply sound engineering principles and material expertise to deliver reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective designs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Tool & Die, and external suppliers to develop tooling solutions that support business objectives and manufacturing excellence.
  • Drive successful new product introductions by ensuring tooling designs support manufacturability, scalability, quality, and production readiness.
  • Develop prototype tooling and innovative manufacturing solutions that accelerate product development and reduce time-to-market.
  • Collaborate across functions to identify opportunities for improved product designs, tooling concepts, and manufacturing processes.
  • Align stakeholders around technical requirements, project timelines, risks, and performance expectations to ensure successful implementation of tooling solutions.
  • Provide technical guidance and problem-solving support for complex tooling, manufacturing, and quality challenges.
  • Build strong working relationships that foster effective communication, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Continuous Improvement & Business Impact
  • Identify and implement Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) and continuous improvement opportunities that reduce cost and improve performance.
  • Support capital equipment planning and manufacturing capability improvements that strengthen operational effectiveness.
  • Drive measurable improvements in tooling efficiency, reliability, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Safety & Values
  • Ensure tooling solutions support a safe manufacturing environment and comply with all applicable safety standards and requirements.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to operational discipline, continuous improvement, and technical excellence
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform this job successfully.

• Demonstrated expertise in the design, development, and maintenance of high-volume progressive stamping dies, including tooling capable of achieving extended production cycles between preventive maintenance intervals.
• Strong problem-solving and conceptual design skills with the ability to develop robust, practical tooling solutions for complex manufacturing challenges.
• Comprehensive knowledge of progressive die design principles, tooling systems, and manufacturing processes.
• Extensive understanding of carbide and tool steel properties, material selection, and heat treatment processes.
• Ability to design tooling solutions that support both high-volume production and prototype or low-volume manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on technical aptitude with the ability to support prototype fabrication, tooling validation, troubleshooting, and manufacturing activities when needed.
• Strong attention to detail and precision in design, analysis, and documentation.
• Advanced proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software, including 3D modeling, design revisions, and technical drawing creation.
• Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, specifications, standards, and technical documentation.
• Strong knowledge of engineering fundamentals, including mechanical properties of materials and manufacturing methodologies.
• Understanding of preventive maintenance principles and tooling lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of good manufacturing practices, continuous improvement methodologies, and lean manufacturing principles.
• Working knowledge of metals, lubricants, coatings, and other industrial materials used in stamping operations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and with external partners.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Required:
  • High School Diploma or GED and advanced technical school training or Tool & Die Journeyman.
  • 5+ years of experience with progressive die manufacturing including repair and troubleshooting.
  • 2 years of experience with Solid Works.
  • Demonstrated experience troubleshooting stamping dies and production tooling in a manufacturing environment.
• Preferred:
• GD&T experience
• Experience operating presses and other manufacturing equipment in a high-volume manufacturing facility.
• Experience with the operation of standard toolroom equipment, Lathe, Mill, Surface grinder etc.
  • Experience with metrology equipment.
• Experience with Esprit and/or CAMWorks software.

• Experience with operation and troubleshooting of CNC machines, EDM and machining operations.
• Experience working with CMMS (computerized maintenance management software) to document work and asset history.

Total Rewards
The compensation range for this position is $76,200.00 - $114,200.00, depending on experience. This position may be eligible for performance based bonus plan.

Benefits Package

Our comprehensive U.S. benefit offerings include: Health benefits, 401(k) retirement savings program with company match, PTO, and more. More information on our benefits and rewards can be found on our career page: https://www.idexcorp.com/careers/our-benefits-and-rewards/