Senior Mechanical Designer / Checker – BIW Tooling

Company: GableTek
Location: Southfield, MI
Schedule: Hybrid – 4 Days Onsite / 1 Day Remote
Hours: 40 Hours per Week; Overtime May Be Required

Position Overview

GableTek is seeking an experienced Senior Mechanical Designer / Checker with a strong background in Body-in-White (BIW) automotive tooling and fixture design.

This position requires hands-on experience designing and checking automated body shop tooling, including geometry fixtures, framing systems, bodyside tooling, sub-assembly fixtures, weld tooling, and related mechanical systems.

The ideal candidate will have strong NX CAD skills, GM tooling experience, and knowledge of North American automotive BIW tooling standards.

Important: This is a tooling/fixture design position. Candidates whose experience is primarily in automotive product design, plastic components, sheet metal product design, HVAC, suspension, powertrain components, molded parts, or other product engineering disciplines will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and check mechanical tooling and fixtures for Body-in-White assembly systems.
• Develop detailed 3D models, 2D drawings, specifications, and mechanical layouts using NX CAD.
• Design and modify tooling for:
  • Geometry/GEO stations
  • Framing lines
  • Bodyside systems
  • Sub-assembly stations
  • Weld fixtures and tooling
  • Weld gun BGAs
  • Cap adapters
  • Servo motor applications
• Modify existing 3D and 2D models for tooling "kits" and develop new designs for simple through complex systems.
• Create kit sheets identifying before-and-after tooling modifications.
• Review specifications, sketches, drawings, concepts, and customer requirements to determine proper tooling design.
• Perform design checking to ensure drawings and models meet customer and project standards.
• Apply proper fixture and detail stack-up methodology, including an understanding of machining and tooling stack-ups.
• Ensure designs meet applicable NAAMS, GM, customer, plant, and internal tooling standards.
• Review CAD attributes and utilize CAD checking processes to ensure design accuracy.
• Understand automotive body shop assembly strategies, including part flow through automated assembly systems.
• Understand the function and application of GEO and re-spot systems.
• Modify and revise designs to correct operating deficiencies and resolve production or installation issues.
• Coordinate with Technical Leaders, Project Engineers, Senior Mechanical Engineers, Controls Engineers, and other designers.
• Coordinate purchased components and supplier items within CAD model and drawing environments.
• Support troubleshooting of mechanical design and tooling issues.
• Assist with installation, startup, commissioning, and final machine acceptance when required.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical design/checking experience within automotive Body-in-White tooling and fixtures.
• Strong NX CAD experience.
• Previous GM Body Shop/BIW tooling design experience.
• Strong knowledge of North American automotive manufacturer standards and specifications.
• Experience with geometry-setting fixtures and tooling.
• Experience designing tooling for framing lines, bodyside systems, and sub-assembly applications.
• Strong understanding of BIW fixture design and mechanical tooling principles.
• Knowledge of automotive assembly strategies and part flow within body shops.
• Understanding of GEO and re-spot tooling systems.
• Strong understanding of fixture/detail stack-ups and machining relationships.
• Familiarity with NAAMS standards and automotive customer-specific tooling standards.
• Ability to interpret customer specifications, engineering drawings, layouts, and technical requirements.
• Ability to troubleshoot mechanical design problems and determine appropriate solutions.
• Strong competency with CAD platforms and associated design software.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a multidisciplinary engineering team.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience checking mechanical designs for accuracy, manufacturability, and customer compliance.
• Understanding of mechanical design sequences and controls documentation.
• Experience coordinating mechanical designs with Controls Engineering.
• Ability to describe the operation and maintenance requirements of automated mechanical systems.
• Experience supporting automotive tooling installation, startup, and final acceptance.
• Associate Degree in Mechanical Technology, Mechanical Design, or a related discipline preferred; equivalent hands-on BIW tooling experience will be considered.

Work Schedule

This position currently operates under a hybrid schedule:

• 4 days per week onsite in Southfield, Michigan
• 1 day per week remote
• 40 hours per week
• Overtime may be required depending on project demands.

Hybrid scheduling is based on project performance and business requirements and is subject to change.

Travel

Approximately 5–20% domestic travel may be required to support other facilities and customer locations during installation, startup, troubleshooting, and final machine acceptance. International travel may occasionally be required depending on project needs.

Ideal Candidate Background

Candidates should come directly from the automotive automation, BIW tooling, special machine, or body shop integration industry with substantial experience designing and/or checking tooling fixtures.

Strong candidates will be able to demonstrate recent experience with NX, GM standards, NAAMS, GEO fixtures, framing systems, bodyside tooling, sub-assembly fixtures, and automotive BIW assembly processes.