Job Title: Tooling Designer (Trim Tooling / Final Assembly)
Job Description
The Tooling Designer will design production tooling and equipment used in automotive final assembly, including I/P carriers, lift assist tools, sub tables, conveyors, and other assembly tools. The role focuses heavily on 3D design in UGNX, primarily supporting Ford programs while adhering to GM MD1 standards. This position plays a key role in developing mechanical designs, coordinating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring that tooling and automation equipment meet customer specifications, quality expectations, and project timelines.
Responsibilities
Design mechanical tooling and equipment to support project objectives, including tools used in final assembly such as I/P carriers, lift assist tools, sub tables, conveyors, and other assembly tools.
Spend the majority of time (over 90%) performing detailed 3D design work in UGNX for automotive tooling and automation equipment.
Develop mechanical designs that comply with customer specifications and GM MD1 standards for automotive programs.
Work closely with Manufacturing, Controls Engineering, and Project Management to support projects from initial concept through final customer acceptance and sign-off.
Provide follow-up and ongoing support after customer sign-off to ensure tooling and equipment continue to meet performance and quality expectations.
Coordinate all internal and external mechanical design activities, including collaboration with other project engineers and suppliers involved in design and engineering.
Review and release final engineering drawings to the manufacturing department, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
Lead, organize, and participate in design review meetings for both internal designs and outsourced design work.
Develop and maintain strong working relationships with customers and suppliers to support successful project execution.
Ensure equipment being started up and commissioned operates in accordance with approved customer specifications and site installation requirements.
Interpret engineering drawings and specifications to develop equipment installation instructions that comply with site installation standards.
Gather required project information from customers and suppliers to create accurate and comprehensive equipment specifications.
Develop equipment specifications for internal mechanical design and for tooling and equipment built by external vendors.
Ensure selected suppliers follow defined processes, meet project quality and delivery expectations, and adhere to budget requirements.
Document all relevant information, decisions, and changes related to mechanical design based on input from customers and suppliers.
Conduct thorough line-up meetings and handoffs when transitioning projects to integration teams for build and commissioning.
Complete project-related purchase requests for design work and provide the necessary information to the purchasing team.
Travel occasionally (less than 5%) to supplier and customer sites to support design reviews, installations, or troubleshooting when required.
Provide clear, project-specific direction to design suppliers to ensure alignment with design standards and project goals.
Perform design and build buy-offs and conduct quality checks on tooling and equipment prior to final release.
Review all mechanical engineering drawings prior to final release to ensure they meet customer requirements and are ready for customer buyoff.
Essential Skills
Minimum of 3 years of experience designing tooling, equipment, or automation equipment.
Minimum of 3 years of experience designing in UGNX.
Proficiency in 3D design and 2D detailing using CAD tools.
Experience with tool design for manufacturing tooling and automation equipment.
Experience with automotive equipment and final assembly tooling.
Experience working on Ford programs, particularly in general assembly or final assembly environments.
Ability to interpret and apply GM MD1 standards in tooling and equipment design.
Strong mechanical design skills for tooling, lift assist devices, sub tables, conveyors, and related assembly equipment.
Ability to review, interpret, and release detailed mechanical engineering drawings.
Strong collaboration skills to work effectively with Manufacturing, Controls Engineering, Project Management, customers, and suppliers.
Ability to lead and participate in design review meetings.
Capability to develop equipment specifications and installation instructions based on customer requirements.
Attention to detail and strong documentation skills for tracking design decisions and changes.
Willingness and ability to travel occasionally (less than 5%) to local tooling suppliers or customer sites.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Experience in general assembly environments within the automotive industry.
Experience in body shop environments and related tooling.
Automation design, including tool build and integration.
Familiarity with lift assist tooling, I/P carriers, sub tables, conveyors, and body shop tooling.
Ability to provide oversight and direction to other project engineers and design suppliers involved in tooling and equipment design.
Experience performing design and build buy-offs and quality checks for tooling and automation equipment.
Strong relationship-building skills with customers and suppliers to support long-term partnerships.
Interest in contributing to a growing in-house design team and helping build internal design capabilities.
Work Environment
The role is based in a modern, brand-new facility in Auburn Hills that is focused on automotive trim and final assembly tooling. The design group consists of a collaborative team of approximately seven designers dedicated to this design team, with an additional design team of four to five designers supporting other customers. The culture emphasizes a family-style, team-oriented environment where colleagues work closely together to deliver high-quality tooling and automation solutions. Work is primarily office-based, with designers spending most of their time at computer workstations using UGNX and other CAD tools. The team currently works five days per week in the office, with occasional work-from-home flexibility when appropriate. Travel requirements are minimal (less than 5%), typically limited to visits to local tooling suppliers or customer sites for design reviews, installations, or troubleshooting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Lake Orion, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $40.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Lake Orion,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 19, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
