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Tool designer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical tool designer skills. We ranked the top skills for tool designers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.6% of tool designer resumes contained jigs as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a tool designer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 tool designer skills for your resume and career

1. Jigs

Here's how tool designers use jigs:

Designed automated production assembly jigs and fixtures for medical devices.
Designed Tools and modified drawings for tools such as pullers and jigs that are utilized in the aerospace field using CADAM.

2. Assembly Fixtures

Here's how tool designers use assembly fixtures:

Implement design for manufacturing, assembly and reliability of assembly fixtures and processes.
Designed small tooling and assembly fixtures with Solid Works that were used for the production of cardiac rhythm management components.

3. Aerospace

Aerospace refers to the physical science focusing on designing and developing, testing, and producing systems that aid in navigation to space or traverse through the earth's atmospheric zone.

Here's how tool designers use aerospace:

Designed aerospace tooling for the production of composite filament-wound rocket motors used for satellite payload delivery.
Worked in a design/drafting capacity by creating/updating aerospace fasteners & fastener form tools.

4. CNC

CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control. It is a subtractive manufacturing technique that usually uses computerized controls and machine tools to strip layers of material from a stock piece.

Here's how tool designers use cnc:

Produced CNC programming for various machining processes utilizing CimCAD/CimLINK.
Design and build tooling for production operations * Design computer programs for automated production machines * Trained toolmakers for new CNC programming

5. NX

NX is an advanced, high-end technology developed by Siemens PLM software comprising of CAD/CAM/CAE software package. The primary function of NX is to be used in design engineering analysis.

Here's how tool designers use nx:

Trained on Unigraphics version NX 7.5 Mold layout and design for plastic injection molds to make automotive lighting components.
Drafted the Tools as per GD& T and Company Standards for Manufacturing in Unigraphics (NX).

6. GD

GD refers to Grade Delay and is often mentioned on report cards or academic records when the instructor of a particular subject decides to hold the grade of a student. This is usually done if the instructor wants the student to improve their grade by retaking the exam or doing something for extra credit that will ultimately enhance their overall grade. Eventually, when the grade is assigned, the GD is then replaced with the original grade.

Here's how tool designers use gd:

Apply GD & T, tolerance and part fit stack-up analysis.
Incorporated GD & T in designs.

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7. Creo

Here's how tool designers use creo:

Designed new tools and fixtures for parts and assemblies for final weld and leak tests by using PTC Creo.
Designed tooling for various Deep Draw Metal Forming press groups on PTC Creo 3/Windchill 10.

8. CAD/CAM

Here's how tool designers use cad/cam:

Experience in designing various tools using the Computervision CADDS 4X CAD/CAM System.
Assisted CAD/CAM operator with support as needed.

9. Mechanical Design

Here's how tool designers use mechanical design:

Tool Design, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, Operations, Sales
Execute mechanical design and hold design reviews.

10. Catia V5

Here's how tool designers use catia v5:

Develop tooling 3D models and 2D designs utilizing CATIA V5 and ENOVIA systems to support the various airplane programs at Auburn.
Design tools on CATIA V5 to build major components of aircraft for Spirit, Boeing, Airbus and Sikorsky.

11. Cad Cam

Here's how tool designers use cad cam:

Worked with supervisor of CAD CAM to establish standards and basic guidelines for CAM users.

12. Design Reviews

A dеѕіgn review іѕ a mіlеѕtоnе wіthіn a рrоduсt dеvеlорmеnt рrосеѕѕ іn whісh a design іѕ evaluated bаѕеd on іtѕ rеԛuіrеmеntѕ. Thе рurроѕе of dеѕіgn rеvіеwѕ іѕ tо examine thе overall design or a ѕресіfіс аѕресt оf a dеѕіgn аt еасh ѕtаgе of the development оf a nеw оr еxіѕtіng рrоduсt.

Here's how tool designers use design reviews:

Participated actively in Design Reviews.
Participate in engineering design reviews to reach a final product and tooling design that is capable of meeting customer requirements.

13. Auto CAD

Here's how tool designers use auto cad:

Produced drawings on Auto CAD LT, and delivered products to retail outlets.
Designed and maintained eyelet & progressive tooling on an Auto Cad platform.

14. Engineering Drawings

Engineering drawings are technical drawings that tell about the requirements for engineering components or equipment. Such drawings have standardized languages and symbols. There are multiple types of engineering drawings such as isometric drawing, orthographic or multiview drawing, schematic drawings, one view, and two view drawings, etc.

Here's how tool designers use engineering drawings:

Provided mold makers with assembly engineering drawings and detailed component engineering drawings.
Reviewed tool order instructions against engineering drawings, gathered all applicable engineering and manufacturing specifications.

15. Aided Design

Here's how tool designers use aided design:

Created detailed engineering part drawings using manual drafting and computer aided design methods.
Computer-aided design equipment to develop basic data and make preliminary layouts, sketches, and notes necessary to present design proposal.

5 Tool Designer resume examples

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What skills help Tool Designers find jobs?

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List of tool designer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a tool designer resume and required skills for a tool designer to have include:

Jigs
Assembly Fixtures
Aerospace
CNC
NX
GD
Creo
CAD/CAM
Mechanical Design
Catia V5
Cad Cam
Design Reviews
Auto CAD
Engineering Drawings
Aided Design
Technical Support
Design Concepts

Machine Shop
Engineering Changes
Shop Floor
Unigraphics
Laser
Pro-E
Design Tools
Plant Layout
EDM
Machine Tools
Design Fixtures
R
Injection Molds
Assembly Drawings
Sketch
Stamping Dies
BOM

Design Changes
Design Software
Assembly Tools
Design Standards
Test Equipment
Teamcenter
Design Process
CMM
Grinding Machines
Sigma
Manufacturing Support
Extrusion
Customer Specifications
UG
Engineering Support

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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