Tooling Design Engineer

Job Title: Press Brake Lead Engineer

Job Description

This role focuses on improving how structural steel components move through sheet metal fabrication, with a strong emphasis on press brake operations. You will design and develop tooling and automation solutions that enhance productivity, streamline bending and forming processes, and support the manufacture of steel structures and enclosures used in data centers. Working closely with a small team of engineers, you will use your press brake expertise and CAD skills to create innovative, practical solutions for a rapidly growing operation.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop end-of-arm tooling to support automated press brake operations.
• Create tooling solutions that automate and streamline the press brake process, from setup through production.
• Use CAD software to design fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing solutions for sheet metal fabrication.
• Analyze and optimize how parts move through fabrication, with a focus on press brake bending, punching, and forming operations.
• Apply a deep understanding of press brake operation to ensure tooling designs are practical, safe, and efficient.
• Incorporate the limitations and capabilities of press brake processes into tooling and fixture designs.
• Support productivity improvements by identifying bottlenecks and implementing process optimization initiatives on brake press machines.
• Collaborate with other engineers to develop and refine manufacturing methods for structural steel components and enclosures.
• Provide technical support to fabrication teams during tooling implementation and production ramp-up.
• Continuously review and improve existing tooling and processes to enhance quality, throughput, and reliability.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience with press brake and brake press machines.
• Strong understanding of bending, punching, and forming sheet metal components.
• Ability to design and develop end-of-arm tooling for automated press brake applications.
• Proficiency in CAD design for fixtures, tooling, and manufacturing solutions.
• Knowledge of the limitations and capabilities of press brake processes when designing tooling.
• Experience with Trumpf press brake equipment.
• Experience with Boost software for press brake or sheet metal programming.
• Demonstrated ability to support productivity improvements and process optimization in a fabrication environment.
• Solid understanding of how press brakes operate, including setup, tooling, and process parameters.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working in a sheet metal fabrication environment producing structural steel components and enclosures.
• developing automation solutions around press brake operations.
• Ability to work mostly independently while contributing effectively within a small engineering team.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a continuous improvement mindset.
• Comfort working in a fast-growing operation with new programs and evolving customer needs.
• Interest in or exposure to the data center sector and related structural steel applications.

Work Environment

You will work in a modern facility that includes a new office space and an approximately 800,000 square foot manufacturing floor dedicated to sheet metal fabrication and structural steel components. The engineering team consists of about four to five engineers and is growing quickly, with team members typically working mostly independently while collaborating as needed. The operation is highly dynamic, with new programs regularly introduced and a strong focus on the rapidly expanding data center sector. The environment centers around press brake and sheet metal fabrication technologies, including Trumpf press brakes and related software tools, within a large-scale, production-oriented manufacturing setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hazel Park, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/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 Hazel Park,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 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.