Tooling Engineer

Position: CAD & Tooling Engineer – Softgoods Design & Manufacturing Location: Boulder, CO - Onsite. Job Type: Full Time Job Description:- The CAD & Tooling Engineer – Softgoods plays a critical role in supporting product development by converting industrial design (ID) and product development (PD) intent into manufacturable tooling, fixtures, and part/assembly solutions. This role partners closely with Design Engineering team, Test Engineering, and manufacturing vendors to design, validate, release, and support tooling used in softgoods fabrication, assembly, and testing. The engineer also provides hands on support during peak build periods. Key Responsibilities Product Development & Collaboration • Create and maintain 2D and 3D CAD models for softgoods components and assemblies • Develop Flat patterns, Stitch layouts, Seam allowances, Layer stack ups • Generate production ready pattern files, Cut files, BOM inputs • Ensure CAD data accurately reflects material behavior, tolerances, and construction intent • Manage engineering change updates and revision control • Analyse product geometry and CAD data received from Industrial Design (ID) and Product Development (PD) teams • Design and engineer softgoods tooling including Cutting dies, Heat press tools, Stitching fixtures and jigs, Assembly aids and alignment tools • Define tooling requirements for Prototyping, Pilot builds, Mass production • Work with suppliers and internal teams to Build, Validate, Revise tooling solutions • Define part breakdown and hierarchical assemblies for softgoods products • Develop Assembly sequences, Stitch orders, Sub assembly definitions • Collaborate with Design Engineers (DE) to develop tooling, fixture, and assembly concepts • Partner with Test Engineers to design and develop functional and reliability testing fixtures • Support cross functional reviews to align tooling solutions with design intent, quality, and manufacturability • Translate product requirements into engineering ready layouts, patterns, and constructions • Drive Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Cost (DFC) optimizations • Support EVT / DVT / PVT phases with updated CAD and tooling data CAD, Tooling & Fixture Design • Design and create tooling and fixture CAD for softgoods manufacturing and testing • Develop tooling for Cutting, Forming, Assembly, Fixturing and alignment • Prepare and release finalized CAD packages to external manufacturing vendors • Maintain revision control and engineering documentation throughout development cycles Documentation & Manufacturing Handoff • Create and maintain: o Engineering drawings o Pattern packages o Tooling drawings and specifications o Assembly instructions and work guides • Support manufacturing handoff to: o Internal factories o External suppliers and vendors • Resolve CAD, tooling, or assembly issues during production ramp Vendor Support & DFM • Work directly with external vendors through the Design for Manufacturability (DFM) process • Review vendor feedback and incorporate design changes to improve quality, repeatability, and cost • Ensure tooling designs meet production scalability and vendor process capabilities Tooling Validation & Launch Support • Perform First Article Inspection (FAI) upon receipt of tooling • Observe and support initial tooling setup at vendor or internal manufacturing sites • Recommend tooling modifications and improvements based on build observations and quality data • Support early production and ramp phases as needed Manufacturing & Fabrication Support • Support the preparation of cut, print, and fabrication files for DE, including: o Zünd cutters o Laser cutting systems o 3D printers • Step in to provide hands on fabrication or build support during peak development or production periods Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in: Textile Engineering OR Mechanical / Industrial Engineering OR Product Design Engineering OR Fashion / Apparel Technology (with strong CAD background) • 3–8 years of experience in softgoods CAD, tooling, or product development • Demonstrated experience in the design of tooling and molds, including exposure to injection moulding or equivalent tooling disciplines • Softgoods CAD / pattern tools (Gerber, Lectra, Optitex, CLO, or equivalent) • Strong 3D and 2D CAD skills o Preferred tools: NX, SolidWorks, ProE / Creo, CATIA • Practical knowledge of manufacturing principles, tooling processes, and production workflows • Ability to collaborate across design, engineering, test, and manufacturing teams • Team oriented mindset with willingness to contribute beyond formal responsibilities Required Skills • Softgoods CAD and pattern engineering • Tooling design for cutting, pressing, stitching, and assembly • Product Development (PD) lifecycle support • Part definition and assembly engineering • DFM / DFA for sewn and bonded products • Cross functional collaboration with design, quality, and manufacturing teams Preferred Qualifications • Experience working with softgoods products (textiles, sewn assemblies, flexible materials) • Familiarity with fixture design for fabrication and testing environments • Familiarity with EVT/DVT/PVT development models • Exposure to quality and testing requirements related to softgoods products • Experience supporting global manufacturing vendors • Hands on exposure to prototyping or pilot line manufacturing environments Behavioural & Core Competencies • Strong problem solving and analytical skills • High attention to detail and engineering rigor • Clear communication across technical and non technical teams Adaptability in fast paced product development environments