| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Engineering |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | Tool Room Manager |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | Fresher or up to 2 years in tool design |
Tool Design Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Tool Design Engineer
Department: Engineering
Reports to: Tool Room Manager
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Tool Design Engineer designs the dies, moulds, jigs and fixtures that make and hold parts in manufacturing. They study the component, design the tool for correct parts and long tool life, and prepare drawings for the tool room. The role sits in tooling or manufacturing engineering. A good Tool Design Engineer designs tools that make parts to tolerance, run reliably, are easy to maintain, and reach the target output before wearing out.
Key responsibilities
- Study components and plan the tooling needed to produce them.
- Design press tools, moulds, jigs and fixtures in 3D CAD.
- Select tool materials, standard parts and the right heat treatment.
- Do force, strength and tool life calculations for the tool.
- Prepare tool assembly and detail drawings for the tool room.
- Support tool trials and correct the tool after first samples.
- Work with the tool room and vendors on tool manufacture.
- Improve existing tools for better output, quality and tool life.
- Maintain tool drawings, revisions and manufacturing records for each tool.
Requirements
- Diploma or degree in tool and die making or mechanical engineering
- Training in a 3D CAD tool
- Knowledge of press or moulding processes
- Fresher or up to 2 years in tool design
KRAs and KPIs for a Tool Design Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Part quality | First off samples within tolerance after tool trial |
| Tool life | Tools reach the target number of parts before major rework |
| Trial success | Tools corrected to production within the planned trials |
| Deliverables | Tool drawings released on the project schedule |
| Maintainability | Tools designed for easy maintenance and part change |
| Records | Tool drawings and revisions kept complete |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: SolidWorks or NX, AutoCAD, Mould or die design modules, MS Excel, Tool standard part libraries.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Tool Design Engineer, Tool Room Manager, Design Engineering Manager
Interview questions for a Tool Design Engineer
- Walk me through designing a simple press tool for a part.
- How do you select material and heat treatment for a die?
- How do you design a fixture to hold a part for machining?
- How do you correct a tool after the first samples are wrong?
- How do you design a mould for easy maintenance?
- How do you estimate tool life for a job?
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What does a Tool Design Engineer do?
A Tool Design Engineer designs the dies, moulds, jigs and fixtures used to make and hold parts. They study the component, design the tool in 3D CAD, select materials, do force and tool life calculations, and prepare drawings for the tool room. Their job is tools that make parts to tolerance and last.
What is the difference between tool design and product design?
Tool design creates the tooling that makes a part: the die, mould, jig or fixture. Product design creates the part itself. The product designer decides the component; the tool designer works out how to produce it accurately and repeatably. The two must work together for a part to be makeable.
What qualifications does a Tool Design Engineer need?
A diploma or degree in tool and die making or mechanical engineering, with 3D CAD skills. Knowledge of press tools, moulds and machining helps. Employers value tool life and force calculation, material selection and the ability to correct tools after trials.