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Tool Designers

THE JOB

The development of new industrial tools and the planning of the material and 
equipment to be used to make them, as well as the steps to be followed is 
known as "tool design."  TOOL DESIGNERS apply their specialized knowledge of 
mechanics and structures to the design or modification of the dies, jigs, 
fixtures and gauges that are used in the material processing and assembly 
operations of industrial tool production.

Working from drawings, sketches, planning sheets, and other engineering and 
shop data, tool designers visualize all operations to be performed.  They 
then prepare a work design from which they or others under their direction 
make detailed production drawings.  The job may require computations 
involving stress, deflections, temperature expansions, dimensional 
tolerances, or other engineering data.  This work requires detailed 
knowledge of shop operations and the characteristics of the material from 
which tools are made.  Designers must also be familiar with production and 
inspection procedures.

The particular job duties and responsibilities of tool designers vary from 
firm to firm.  In some, usually smaller establishments, the position is 
filled by highly skilled and experienced tool and die makers.  Usually, 
however, the position is filled by a mechanical engineer, who works with a 
staff of engineering technicians.  Designers may have the complete 
responsibility for all aspects of tool design and production or they may 
specialize in areas such as small tools or production scheduling.

Computers have become an integral part of the tool designer's work place.  
Using "computer-aided-design" systems (CAD), for example, designers can 
generate realistic geometric models of objects on a computer terminal screen.
These images can be rotated to allow viewing from any angle; designers can 
even simulate and analyze the effects of selected stresses and try out 
alternative designs.  Computer models may eventually eliminate the need for 
most drawing and physical prototypes.


WORKING CONDITIONS

Typically, tool designers work in the tool design or engineering departments 
of large manufacturing plants.  Tool designers usually share their work space
with drafters or other engineering technicians in quiet, well-lighted 
surroundings separated from production areas.

Job shops (firms which contract to do engineering and drafting work for other
companies) are often used to create product prototypes.  Designers who work 
for job shops must sometimes travel to another city, where the contracting 
firm is located, to do the work.  When a contract with a job shop is 
finished, designers may be reassigned or laid off.


EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK

The following information is from the California Projections of Employment 
published by the Labor Market Information Division.  These figures represent 
the broad occupational group Mechanical Engineers which includes Tool 
Designers

Estimated number of workers in 1990             27,000
Estimated number of workers in 2005             31,660
Projected Growth Percentage 1990-2005              17%
Estimated openings due to separations by 2005   10,790

(These figures do not include self-employment nor openings due to turnover.)

A projected increase of over 4,000 new jobs combined with the estimated 
10,790 workers leaving the labor force will result in nearly 15,000 net job 
openings in California by the year 2005 in the same occupational group.

Tool designer positions are concentrated in durable goods manufacturing.  
These include defense products machinery, radio, TV and communications 
equipment, aircraft and parts.  These industries are generally found in the 
large urban areas of the state.  Over the next few years prospects in this 
field will be limited.  Many industries employing tool designers have moved 
some of their manufacturing of consumer products overseas where production 
costs are lower.

Because of reductions in defense spending, jobs for mechanical engineering 
type work will decrease; however, the employment of mechanical engineers is 
expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the
year 2005.  Growth for engineering work is expected due to the demand for new
and more complex industrial machinery and tools resulting from the 
development of more sophisticated automated production processes.

Turnover tends to be low where there are permanent positions.  Turnover, in 
some firms, may occur every two or three years as production contracts run 
out and individuals go to where there are better opportunities.


WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS

Beginning tool designers earn from $29,000 to $34,000 per year and 
experienced tool designers between $33,000 and $52,000 per year.  
Supervisory designers may earn from $44,000 to $68,000 per year.  The normal 
workweek is 40 hours, with overtime compensation being granted for additional
hours.  However, most tool designers are hired when a company wins a 
contract.  These contracts, and therefore the designer's employment, commonly
last from two to five years.  With completion of the contract, the designer 
may be laid off, and may have to relocate to find employment, or seek 
employment in a related field.


ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING

The amount of related job experience is the single most important factor 
considered by employers hiring tool designers.  The typical tool designer 
learned tool design on the job, usually having had experience in tool making.
Most employers prefer that the tool designer have at least two to three years
of tool design experience.  Some employers will hire applicants who have 
completed a two-year degree in mechanical engineering technology and who have
some experience in either a machine shop or tool making environment.  
Advancement to higher levels often requires a four-year degree, a Bachelor of
Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Training and experience in using CAD equipment is being sought by more and 
more employers.  Some employers do not regard tool designers as being fully 
qualified until they have six years of experience in tool design or an 
equivalent combination of technical training and shop experience.

Designers are expected to be familiar with the principles of plane and solid 
geometry, trigonometry, and related mathematics, in additional to having 
drafting skills.  The job requires knowledge of raw materials available for 
tool manufacturing, familiarity with planning, engineering, and production 
operations, and the ability to use such accessories as bearings, bushing, 
gears, and hydraulic and electrical equipment.  Many jobs in aerospace or 
defense related industries require American citizenship and security 
clearances.


ADVANCEMENT

Workers are promoted as they gain skill and experience.  With additional 
college courses, top designers may advance to more responsible positions in 
the field of tool engineering, which includes the selection, planning and 
production of tools, as well as designing.  They may also advance into 
management positions.  These jobs are variously known by such titles as 
manufacturing engineer, production planner, senior engineer (tool design), or
project engineer.


FINDING THE JOB

In tools design, experience is as important as education.  Graduates from 
engineering programs are hired directly into designer trainee positions.  
Designers might also start as tool and die makers or mechanical engineering 
technicians, developing the necessary experience which must they be 
supplemented with continuing education.  Applicants should contact employers 
directly.  Teachers' referrals and school or college placement offices are 
also frequently helpful.  The California Employment Development Department's 
Workforce Services Offices, private employment agencies, job shops, newspaper want 
ads, and notices in trade magazines also provide excellent job leads.


RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES

Mechanical Engineer                     No.   5
Tool and Die Maker                      No.  15
Production Planner                      No. 271
Drafting Occupations                    No. 338
Computer-aide Drafting Operator (CAD)   No. 481


OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES

DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th ed., Rev. 1)
Tool Designer                   007.061-026

OES (Occupational Employment Statistics)
System Mechanical Engineers          221350

Source:  State of California, Employment Development Department, 
         Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
         (916) 262-2162.