Design Engineer

The Machining Fixture Designer is responsible for designing and developing robust machining and secondary process fixtures to ensure repeatable, safe, and efficient manufacturing operations. This role focuses on creating accurate workholding and clamping solutions that meet machining, dimensional, quality, and productivity requirements across machining and secondary processes such as pressing, cleaning, and polishing.

The role works closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, and Production teams to support NPI, ramp up, and mass production, ensuring fixtures are manufacturable, cost effective, and compliant with PFMEA, safety, and quality standards.

Your responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Design, develop, and optimize machining clamping fixtures and secondary process fixtures (e.g. pressing, cleaning, polishing) to support stable, safe, and repeatable manufacturing processes.

• Perform detailed mechanical design and drafting (3D models and 2D drawings) for fixtures, tooling, and clamping systems using approved CAD software, in compliance with:

o Machining requirements

o Datum and tolerance schemes

o PFMEA and control plan requirements

o Ergonomic and safety standards

• Develop robust workholding solutions considering:

o Part locating schemes (3-2-1, datum-based, form-fit)

o Clamping force calculation and distortion control

o Accessibility for machining tools and secondary operations

• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, and Machining teams to ensure fixture concepts meet cycle time, quality, and capacity requirements

• Support NPI and process industrialization activities by providing fixture concepts, design reviews, and readiness before pilot runs and mass production release.

• Prepare and release complete fixture documentation, including:

o Design drawings and BOM

o Assembly and setup instructions

o Clamping sequence and key control points

• Liaise with external vendors and internal tool rooms for quotation, fabrication, modification, and debugging of fixtures.

• Support fixture try-out, machine trials, and process validation, including problem-solving during machining and secondary process ramp-up.

• Maintain and support fixture lifecycle management, including:

o Spare part definition and replacement strategy

o Design changes and continuous improvement updates

• Support the development of standardized fixturing concepts and best practices to reduce design lead-time and cost.

• Participate in continuous improvement, 6S, safety, and cost-reduction initiatives related to fixtures and manufacturing methods.

• Conduct training for production operators and technicians on correct fixture usage, setup, and handling.

• Provide technical support during internal and external audits, ensuring fixtures meet defined process and quality requirements.

• Perform other engineering tasks as assigned by the Superior to support departmental objectives.

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

Minimum 3–5 years of relevant experience in fixture and tooling design for machining and secondary processes.

Minimum Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent discipline

Strong understanding of:

• Machining processes (milling, cleaning fixture)

• Secondary operations such as pressing, transportation, deburring, and polishing

• Solid knowledge of GD&T, datum structure, and tolerance stack up related to fixturing.

• Experience in clamping principles, force calculation, and deformation control.

• Basic understanding of CNC machining constraints and process flow.

• Hands-on mindset with ability to debug fixtures on the shop floor.

• Organized, self driven, and customer oriented working style.

• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in cross functional teams.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (documentation, presentations, reports).

• Proficient in English (spoken and written).

• Proficiency in 3D CAD systems (e.g. TopSolid, NX, CATIA, SolidWorks).