Mechanical Engineer / Tool & Die Designer

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop progressive stamping dies for the production of micro-miniature metal stampings from thin-gauge BeCu and Phosphor Bronze raw materials.
• Select appropriate die configurations, punch/die clearances, and progressive strip layouts accounting for BeCu and Phos Bronze material springback, work-hardening, and burr characteristics.
• Create detailed 2D and 3D engineering drawings and models using AutoCAD Inventor, AutoCAD Mechanical, and SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer.
• Develop strip layouts, die cross-sections, and detailed component drawings with GD&T callouts to print tolerances.
• Specify tooling materials, surface treatments, and heat-treat requirements for punch and die components.
• Utilize CAM software (Esprit) for EDM and CNC toolpath generation for die component fabrication.

Mechanical Engineering & Documentation

• Maintain and organize engineering files in both hard-copy and electronic formats, ensuring revision control and document integrity.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, quality, and production personnel to resolve tooling and process issues.
• Prepare and distribute engineering documentation including drawings, procedures, and reports using MS Word, MS Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

New Product Development & Customer Interface

• Participate in the preparation of new product quotations, including feasibility assessment, die cost estimation, and cycle time analysis.
• Evaluate incoming customer RFQs for stampability, tolerancing, and material compatibility with BeCu and Phos Bronze alloys.
• Interface directly with customers on all aspects of design expectations, tolerance stack-up, and design-for-manufacturability (DFM) feedback.

Production Process Proficiency

• Demonstrate proficiency in the production of reeled heat-treated (HT) and non-heat-treated stamped product (minimum one month hands-on OTJ training per process area).
• Demonstrate proficiency in the production of loose-piece heat-treated and non-heat-treated stamped product.
• Understand and support heat-treating, tumbling, winding, and reeling processes as applied to BeCu and Phos Bronze micro-stampings.
• Proficient in inspection processes including optical comparators, CMM, vision systems, and hand gauging for micro-miniature stamped parts.

Position Qualifications And Competency Statements

• Regard for Safety – Ability to follow safety rules and processes; keeps own safety and the safety of others in the forefront of every action, including in press-side and production floor environments.
• Technical Expertise – Deep knowledge of progressive die stamping fundamentals, thin-gauge BeCu and Phos Bronze material properties, GD&T, and precision manufacturing processes.
• Communication – Ability to effectively communicate technical information with customers, colleagues, and production personnel verbally and in writing.
• Problem Solving – Ability to diagnose and resolve complex tooling and process issues using analytical skills and hands-on experience.
• Accountability – Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions and engineering decisions.
• Initiative – Ability to identify engineering and process improvement opportunities and drive them to completion without constant direction.

Skills And Abilities

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, or closely related field preferred; equivalent combination of technical education and documented experience will be considered.
• Progressive Die Design Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of progressive die design experience in a precision metal stamping environment, with demonstrated experience in micro-miniature stampings at tight tolerances.
• Material Knowledge: Experience working with thin-gauge BeCu and/or Phos Bronze strip materials strongly preferred.
• CAD/CAM Proficiency: Proficient in AutoCAD Inventor, AutoCAD Mechanical, SolidWorks eDrawings Viewer, and CAM software (Esprit or equivalent).
• Office Software: Proficient in MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat for engineering documentation and communications.
• Attention to Detail: Ability to interpret and create complex engineering drawings and work to tolerances in the thousandths-of-an-inch range.
• Training Compliance: All skills verified through OTJ training with competence assessed via supervisor observation.

Salary Description

$52.89 to $67.31 per hour