Design Engineer

Job Title: Design Engineer Job Description
The Design Engineer supports aluminum foundry and machining operations by designing and modifying permanent molds, foundry patterns, machining fixtures, and production tooling. This role takes projects from initial concept through production launch, creating detailed 3D models, drawings, and documentation. The position works closely with cross-functional manufacturing teams to troubleshoot tooling, casting, and dimensional issues, and to continuously improve tooling for quality, repeatability, productivity, and tool life.
Responsibilities
- Design and modify permanent molds, foundry patterns, machining fixtures, and production tooling to support aluminum casting and machining operations.
- Create accurate 3D models, detailed drawings, and supporting documentation, taking projects from concept through production launch.
- Collaborate directly with foundry, machining, quality, and production teams to troubleshoot tooling, casting, and dimensional issues on the manufacturing floor.
- Improve existing tooling to enhance quality, repeatability, productivity, and tool life, while supporting new product launches and cost-reduction initiatives.
- Apply design for manufacturing principles to ensure that parts and tooling are practical, manufacturable, and aligned with production capabilities.
- Use GD&T and tolerance analysis to develop and interpret engineering drawings that ensure dimensional accuracy and functional performance.
- Support continuous improvement activities by identifying opportunities to optimize tooling designs and manufacturing processes.
- Provide technical input and hands-on support during tooling build, tryout, and production ramp-up.
- Maintain organized design files, revision histories, and documentation to support traceability and effective communication with production teams.
Essential Skills
- At least 5 years of experience with 3D CAD modeling and mechanical design using Solidworks.
- Proven experience designing tooling, fixtures, patterns, molds, or similar manufacturing equipment.
- Ability to read, create, and develop engineering drawings with strong knowledge of GD&T and tolerancing.
- Practical understanding of how parts and tooling are manufactured within a production environment.
- Strong troubleshooting skills and comfort working directly on the manufacturing floor.
- Solid foundation in mechanical design and design for manufacturing principles.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with foundry, machining, quality, and production teams.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to produce accurate, production-ready documentation.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Technology, or Design/Drafting, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Experience with permanent mold tooling or foundry pattern design.
- Experience designing machining fixtures for CNC or other machining operations.
- Background in aluminum casting processes and related tooling requirements.
- Knowledge of CNC machining and general manufacturing processes.
- Ability to apply design for manufacturing and design for assembly best practices.
- Interest in working closely with experienced manufacturing professionals and learning from hands-on production exposure.
Work Environment
This is a full-time, on-site role in a manufacturing environment focused on aluminum casting and machining operations. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You will spend time both in an office or engineering area using Solidworks and related tools for 3D modeling and drawing creation, and on the manufacturing floor working directly with foundry, machining, quality, and production personnel. Engineers in this environment stay closely connected to production, with the opportunity to design tooling, see it built, observe it running in the plant, and continuously improve it based on real-world performance. The culture emphasizes collaboration, practical problem-solving, and visible impact on how products are produced, with direct interaction in a hands-on, production-focused setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Bettendorf, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $95000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Medical and dental insurance
Vision insurance
401(k) with matching contributions
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Short-term and long-term disability
Life insurance
Semi-annual profit-sharing
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Bettendorf, IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Bettendorf,IA. 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 [email protected] 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.