Tool Designer at Sterling Engineering

Title: Tool Designer

Location: Rockford, IL

Hire Type: Long Term Contract

Salary: $100k-$115k/yr.

Benefits: As a contract employee of Sterling, you are eligible to receive a Full Employee Benefits Package that includes paid time off, paid holidays, 3 medical plans to choose from, dental & vision plans, 401(k), and an Employee Stock Ownership (ESOP) plan.

The Mechanical Designer will support manufacturing operations by developing tooling, fixtures, and mechanical designs that meet production needs. This role focuses on creating reliable, cost-effective, and manufacturable tools while troubleshooting production challenges and introducing innovative solutions. The designer will support tool development from concept through implementation, collaborate with internal teams and outside vendors, and ensure all designs meet required specifications and standards.

Job Duties:

• Develop work-holding fixtures, check gauges, tooling, and automation end effectors (EOAT) for manufacturing processes.
• Produce mechanical designs that adhere to Woodward specifications using Creo Parametric and Elements/Direct.
• Provide troubleshooting support and solutions for work-holding issues at manufacturing machines.
• Stay informed about advancements in fixturing and tooling and introduce new solutions to enhance facility capabilities.
• Create designs using various materials, including metal and 3D-printed solutions.
• Oversee the design, manufacture, and implementation of tools, working with external vendors to ensure proper integration.
• Incorporate design-for-cost and design-for-manufacturing principles into tool designs to optimize performance and efficiency.
  
  

Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or equivalent certification (required).
• Bachelor’s degree (preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of design experience (required).
• Experience operating equipment/machines in a manufacturing environment (required).
• Proficiency in CAD software and drafting principles.
• Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering prints and process drawings.
• Proficient in advanced Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T).
• Understanding of sub .001" tolerances and gaging.
• Skilled in performing detailed tolerance stack-up analysis.
• Strong communication skills
  
  

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.