Senior Tool Designer

Sparton is an innovative defense contractor headquartered in DeLeon Springs, Florida, with a rich heritage dating back to 1900. Renowned for our exceptional manufacturing capabilities, we specialize in producing high-quality sonobuoys critical to the United States' undersea warfare arsenal, enhancing national security against current and future adversaries. But we are more than manufacturers; we are problem solvers. Our team of dedicated engineers and skilled professionals tackles some of the most challenging issues in defense technology. Our expertise includes advanced research systems, maritime solutions, sophisticated sensor technologies and payload delivery capabilities.

Job Summary

The Tool Designer III leads the design of complex, high‑precision tooling, fixtures, and production equipment from concept through fabrication that support manufacturing operations. This role drives manufacturability improvements, mentors' junior designers, and partners with engineering teams to influence product design early in development.

Responsibilities and Tasks

• Lead the design of complex, high‑precision, or automated tooling and test fixtures.
• Perform advanced GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturability assessments.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to drive DFM and DFMaint into product and process design. Provide formal input to product design engineers of potential design changes that will make our products easier to assemble and maintain consistently.
• Analyze and redesign legacy fixtures to improve reliability, safety, ergonomics, and production efficiency based on needed tooling and new manufacturing processes or to accommodate production design changes.
• Partner with the Model Shop to optimize designs for machining strategy, cost, and build time.
• Determine material specifications to ensure productive life of tools/fixtures.
• Develop accurate project timelines, cost estimates, and design process flows.
• Inspect machines and facilities where tools will be used.
• Determine optimal clearances, speeds, temperature, and other pertinent conditions affecting final design requirements of tools.
• Lead design reviews and ensure compliance with Sparton's quality and safety standards.
• Ensure that appropriate new technology is incorporated in the tool/fixture design. Ensure that any models produced are suitable for additional electronic utilization (automation, animations, simulations, etc.).
• Perform analysis and present alternative designs (including materials changes) to ensure that tradeoffs between design costs and production usefulness are optimized.
• Support root‑cause analysis and corrective actions related to tooling performance.
• Establish and monitor compliance of historical and accountability records of production tooling. Establish standards for future design as appropriate.
• On the floor follow-up on installed tools/fixtures to ensure that designs are effective. Maintain records of changes with idea of improving the design process for future projects.
• Interface with internal and external vendor resources as needed including managing part resources, schedules, and priorities for multiple projects simultaneously.
• All other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Engineering, or related field, or equivalent education or training.

• Equivalent experience (Typically 5-8 years) of tooling or mechanical design, fixture development, or mechanical design in a regulated industry (Defense, aerospace, medical, automotive).

• Advanced proficiency in CAD modeling and drafting. SolidWorks Professional certification in areas appropriate to fixture/tooling design preferred.
• Strong understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, and manufacturing processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex design projects.
• U.S. Citizenship

• Experience with automated tooling, pneumatics, sensors, or integrated test systems.
• Background in defense or aerospace manufacturing.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capability.
• High level of technical judgment and problem-solving.
• Ability to influence cross-functional decisions.

• Less than 10% travel required.
• The physical demands describe here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. This job operates in a professional office environment and a manufacturing environment. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions in the plant. The noise level in the work environment may be loud.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, talk, and communicate, use hands/finger, feel, and reach with arms. This position requires the ability to lift, bend or stoop as necessary up to 20lbs.

• Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage.
• Healthcare concierge to help you navigate your benefit selections.
• Virtual health solutions for physical therapy, menopause, and diabetes.
• Company paid Basic Life Insurance. Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available.
• On-site wellness clinic.

• Competitive compensation.
• 401k program to plan for your future with company match 75% up to 8% plus 1% Employer contribution.
• Company Paid Time Off (Vacation and Sick).
• Paid parental leave.
• Adoption assistance.
• Fertility and family building assistance.

• Flexible work schedules available based on position:
  • 9/80 schedule providing every other Friday off
  • 5/8s
  • 4/10s
  • 3/12s
• Lifestyle spending account.
• Perks at work.
• Generous employee referral program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Voluntary benefits available: longer term care, legal, identity theft, pet Insurance, and many more options