Mechanical Design Engineer (Tooling Design Focus)

Title: Mechanical Design Engineer (Tooling Design Focus)

Location: Santa Clara, CA 100% onsite

Length of Contract: 6-12 months (Potential Contract-to-hire based on performance)

Process: 3 rounds, Phone/Onsite

Ideal Start Date: ASAP

Background Check/Drug Screen

Scope: As a Mechanical Design Engineer focused on tooling, you ll collaborate with a cross-functional team of Hardware Engineering, Platform Design, Reliability Engineering, and global Contract Manufacturing (CM) partners. You ll be part of a team that values precision, innovation, and early-stage design collaboration to ensure manufacturing success at scale. The position is for a Sr. Mechanical Engineer with Creo/PTC design experience. This person would be working on manufacturing facing design work that includes fixtures, test chassis/racks, etc.

Responsibilities:

In this role, you ll lead the design, development, and validation of custom tooling and fixtures that support new product introduction and high-volume manufacturing. You ll own the mechanical design process from initial concept through CAD development, documentation, and production support driving innovation and manufacturability every step of the way.

We are looking for a mechanical design engineer with experience in tooling design Engineer who will be responsible for the conceptualization, CAD design, and engineering validation of custom tooling, fixtures, jigs, and test equipment that support high-volume electronics manufacturing. This role is centered on engineering innovation and design collaboration, not factory-floor production support. You will contribute to early-stage product design, ensuring manufacturability and quality through precise fixture and tooling design, and support NPI (New Product Introduction) into global manufacturing environments.

• Engineer, design, and validate custom tooling, test fixtures, and jigs to support high-volume production.
• Translate mechanical and process requirements into CAD models, engineering drawings, and detailed documentation.
• Participate in design reviews and provide feedback to optimize DFM/DFT aspects of new products.
• Partner closely with Hardware Engineering, Platform Design, CM partners, and Reliability Engineering teams.
• Select and specify manufacturing processes (CNC, injection molding, sheet metal, coatings) as applicable to designed tools.
• Drive tolerance stack-up analysis for complex mechanical assemblies.
• Interface with overseas CMs and vendors to enable tool release, prototype builds, and pilot production.
• Investigate and recommend new manufacturing technologies to improve quality and cost- effectiveness of tooling solutions.
• Create and manage BOMs, ECOs, and revision histories (Agile PLM and Windchill PDMLink experience a plus).

Qualifications

• B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
• 5 7+ years of experience in mechanical design of tooling and big fixtures (Supporting Manufacturing) preferably for high- volume or precision electronics manufacturing.
• Proficient in 3D CAD (Creo/ProEngineer); GD&T and tolerance analysis required.
• Familiarity with DFM/DFA best practices
• Experience working cross-functionally with design, test, and manufacturing engineering teams.
• Understanding of common fabrication methods (CNC, molding, sheet metal), but with a focus on design and specification not shop-floor operation.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and highly self-motivated.
• Work with cross functional teams to deliver on scope, tooling requirements and schedule detail-oriented, and highly self-motivated..
• Manage procurement of materials and components required for tooling projects.
• Produce equipment training documentation.
• Oversee technician/operator training on equipment.
• Fluent in English; strong technical communication skills.
• Some travel is required. Ability to travel domestically and internationally is required.

Nice to Have

• Experience with automated test stations or tooling incorporating sensors or software interfaces.
• Familiarity with shock, vibration, and EMC test protocols.
• Experience with liquid cooling systems.
• Python or scripting experience for automation of test fixtures or data collection.
• Exposure to Propel / Agile PLM or Windchill PDMLink systems.