Manufacturing Engineer 1 -Tooling & Fixture Design (Entry Level)
9 days ago
Waterbury
Job DescriptionDescription: Essential Duties and Responsibilities • Assist in the design of CNC workholding fixtures (milling/turning/secondary ops) to improve part stability, repeatability, and throughput., • Create and maintain 2D/3D CAD models and drawings for fixtures, soft jaws, nests, clamps, and related tooling., • Collaborate with engineers, tool room machinists and CNC operators to review fixture concepts, incorporate feedback, and support build/debug., • Support fixture prove-outs on the shop floor; document results and implement revisions as needed., • Assist with process documentation including set-up sheets, work instructions, tooling lists, and basic process flow documentation., • Support continuous improvement efforts (cycle time reduction, scrap reduction, ergonomic/safety improvements) using structured problem-solving., • Participate in root cause analysis for fixture- or process-related quality issues (5-Why, fishbone) and help implement corrective actions., • Help standardize tooling/fixture components and support basic tooling inventory and identification practices., • Assist with engineering changes affecting fixturing, gaging, and process steps; update documentation accordingly., • Work cross-functionally with Quality and Inspection to ensure fixtures support print requirements and measurement strategy., • Follow all safety policies; support EHS requirements related to guarding, clamping forces, pinch points, and safe setup practices. Requirements: Required • Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or related field (0–2 years experience)., • Basic understanding of machining concepts (turning/milling), fixturing fundamentals, and how workholding impacts quality., • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, familiarity with basic GD&T concepts., • Working knowledge of CAD (SolidWorks preferred; equivalent acceptable)., • Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and willingness to be hands-on in a manufacturing environment., • co-op in machining, tooling, or manufacturing engineering., • Exposure to fixture design principles: locating schemes (3-2-1), datum strategy, clamp methods, repeatability., • Familiarity with common shop measuring tools and concepts (calipers, micrometers, indicators)., • Basic knowledge of machining process planning and tooling selection., • Practical mechanical aptitude and curiosity, • Clear communication with machinists/operators, • Design-for-manufacturability mindset, • Documentation discipline and follow-through, • Structured problem-solving, • Combination of office and shop-floor work; PPE required., • Ability to stand/walk for extended periods and occasionally lift up to 25 lbs., • Designs and releases simple fixtures with supervision, then progressively more complex workholding., • Builds strong relationships with tool room and operators; responds quickly to production needs. SolidWorks (or similar CAD), basic CAM exposure a plus, Excel, and document control practices. Compensation: • Competitive salary commensurate with experience., • PTO