Fixture Designer

Job Title: Fixture DesignerJob Description

This role focuses on designing and developing innovative part-holding fixtures and manufacturing processes for complex component parts in a dynamic job shop environment. The fixture designer applies strong mechanical design, machining, and CAD/CAM skills to create cost-effective, high-quality solutions that support new product development, continuous improvement, and long-term growth. The position collaborates closely with engineering, production, quality, sales, and estimating teams to ensure robust, efficient, and repeatable manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Support the development of new products that align with the organization's growth initiatives by providing effective fixturing and process solutions.

• Define, create, and implement cost-effective methods for the manufacture and inspection of complex component parts.

• Design and/or procure new tooling, gauging, and fixturing to support production and quality requirements.

• Create detailed CAD designs using NX software to develop fixtures, tooling, and related components.

• Comply with all requirements of the quality system, including documentation and adherence to established standards.

• Work closely with shop floor personnel to reduce setup times and drive process improvements and quality enhancements.

• Incorporate new tooling technologies, fixturing concepts, and time studies to improve efficiency and consistency.

• Assist in estimating and determining standard costs for manufactured parts, providing technical input to support accurate quotations.

• Design and maintain capable manufacturing processes, including work holding fixture design, process print and work instruction documentation, and cutting tool selection.

• Participate in CNC programming activities and support G-code development as needed to ensure robust machining processes.

• Lead or facilitate APQP activities for assigned product groups, ensuring thorough planning and validation of manufacturing processes.

• Verify process costs and support customer PPAP approvals by providing necessary documentation and technical justification.

• Effectively manage changes to manufacturing processes for assigned product groups, including completing engineering operations in the change process.

• Facilitate and participate in Lean Manufacturing and other continuous improvement events to enhance productivity and quality.

• Troubleshoot prototype and pilot processes, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions for fixturing and machining issues.

• Participate in MRB activities and establish effective rework processes to address nonconforming product and improve future performance.

• Serve as a strong communicator and bridge builder between engineers, supervisors, production personnel, sales, and estimating to ensure alignment and collaboration.

• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to team members on fixturing, machining practices, and process improvements.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Design Engineering or Mechanical Engineering is preferred.

• Minimum of 5 years of working experience within design engineering.

• Very strong background in designing part-holding fixturing for vertical and horizontal machining centers.

• Extensive machining experience on vertical and horizontal machining centers and lathes.

• Excellent blueprint reading skills with a thorough understanding of GD&T and general quality principles.

• Basic understanding of mechanical inspection techniques and their application to production parts.

• Experience using CAD/CAM software; NX experience is preferred.

• Proven creative fixturing experience to support effective part processing.

• G-code programming knowledge is preferred and beneficial for CNC machining support.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, production, sales, and estimating teams.

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with the ability to troubleshoot complex manufacturing and fixturing issues.

• Management or leadership experience is preferred, particularly in a manufacturing or engineering environment.

• Hands-on knowledge of CNC machining processes and tooling selection.

• Proficiency in interpreting and applying process documentation, work instructions, and quality requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in tooling and fixture design for CNC machining applications.

• Familiarity with CNC programming and G-code development for vertical and horizontal machining centers and lathes.

• Experience with SolidWorks, Unigraphics, and AutoCAD or similar CAD tools.

• background in machining, tooling design, and fixture design within a job shop or high-mix environment.

• Experience with APQP facilitation, process print creation, and work instruction documentation.

• Exposure to Lean Manufacturing principles and participation in continuous improvement events.

• Experience supporting cost verification, estimating, and standard cost development for manufactured parts.

• Involvement in MRB activities and development of effective rework processes.

• Ability to act as a dedicated teacher and mentor, sharing knowledge with peers and shop floor personnel.

• Comfort working in a smaller, growth-oriented organization where flexibility and collaboration are highly valued.

Work Environment

The role operates in a combined machine shop and office environment. You will spend time on the shop floor working directly with machining centers, lathes, tooling, and fixtures, as well as in an office setting performing design, documentation, and programming work using CAD/CAM software such as NX and other design tools. The organization functions as a job shop, focusing on unique and varied opportunities rather than high-volume, repetitive production. The company is privately held, with ownership invested in long-term growth and employee satisfaction. The culture emphasizes collaboration, open communication, and ensuring employees do not feel like a number. Team members enjoy a close-knit environment with company gatherings and outings that foster connection and engagement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hartland, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $36.65/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 Hartland,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 27, 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.