Die Designer

Job Title: Die Designer

Job Description

The Die Designer supports the engineering team by designing and detailing die cast dies and plastic injection molds from concept through production readiness. This role focuses on translating conceptual 3D designs into fully detailed, manufacturable tooling, including modifications, enhancements, and integration of new components into existing molds. You will typically work on one design at a time, collaborating closely with CAD leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure tools meet customer specifications, quality standards, and production requirements.

Responsibilities

• Study customer specifications, engineering data, and tool orders to develop accurate and functional tool designs.
• Develop complete 3D assembly models with associated 2D drawings using appropriate CAD software such as Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA.
• Detail and modify existing 3D die and mold designs, including adding features such as threaded holes, contour cavities, and dimensional changes to meet design requirements.
• Support production by enhancing and upgrading existing production tools to improve output, quality, and reliability.
• Work with suppliers to troubleshoot and resolve issues on problem tools, ensuring timely and effective solutions.
• Collaborate directly with purchasing, sales project engineering, manufacturing, and other groups as part of a cross-functional team to develop tooling solutions that meet cost, quality, and schedule objectives.
• Conduct design reviews with the CAD Manager and team members to align on project status, design approach, and upcoming work.
• Follow all corporate engineering standards, including documentation, revision control, and file management practices.
• Plan and schedule daily tasks effectively, managing workload to handle approximately 1-8 designs per week depending on complexity.
• Develop practical solutions to design and tooling challenges using education, experience, and sound engineering judgment.
• Take responsibility for design changes prompted by engineering change notifications, ensuring updates are accurately reflected in models and drawings.
• Participate in brief design reviews before starting new projects to understand requirements, constraints, and expectations.

Essential Skills

• Experience designing die cast dies, with a strong understanding of die function and operation (preference for 3+ years of experience).
• Proficiency in Siemens NX, SolidWorks, or CATIA for 3D modeling and 2D detailing.
• Hands-on experience creating complete 3D assembly models and associated 2D drawings for tooling applications.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and understanding of tooling, die design, and manufacturing principles.
• Ability to interpret customer specifications, engineering data, and tool orders to develop accurate tool designs.
• Experience supporting production tooling through design enhancements and upgrades.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams including engineering, purchasing, sales, manufacturing, and suppliers.
• Strong organizational skills to plan, schedule, and manage multiple design tasks and projects.
• Capability to apply flow, thermal, and simulation concepts to tooling design, supported by mechanical and analytical skills.
• Commitment to following corporate engineering standards, documentation practices, and file management procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Magma or MagmaSOFT for flow and thermal simulation of die cast processes.
• Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Tool & Die or a related technical discipline.
• Experience working in a die cast or tool and die environment.
• Exposure to simulation-driven design for optimizing die performance and quality.
• Interest in ongoing training and upskilling to expand competencies in additional engineering or tooling areas.

Work Environment

You will work on a collaborative team that includes engineers and other die designers in a supportive, growth-oriented environment. The team is described as outgoing, easygoing, and hardworking, with a strong focus on cooperation and open communication. You will receive direction from engineering leadership and senior engineers while reporting into the engineering management structure. Work typically begins between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. During periods of high demand, the team currently works around 50 hours per week, with an expected average of approximately 45 hours per week once workloads stabilize. The organization values training and development and is committed to upskilling team members to broaden their technical capabilities. Time-off benefits include paid time off during the initial months and paid major holidays that fall within the work period, and overtime is compensated on an hourly basis after a standard daily threshold once you are hired directly.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Saint Joseph, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $35.00/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 Saint Joseph,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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.