Principal Designer - HT Engineering

Job description

Job Description: Principal CAD Designer - Hand Tools Engineering Role Summary As a Principal CAD Designer for Milwaukee Tool, you will be a highly experienced, hands-on CAD professional responsible for developing creative and original design solutions from general specifications and cross functional team collaboration . You will work with speed, agility, and urgency across a wide range of assignments , from quickly completing straightforward CAD requests to creating complex surfaced models, complete product layouts, and tooling-ready designs while balancing product performance, manufacturability, and schedule. Working with limited direction, you will own significant CAD workstreams within larger development projects and partner closely with Engineering, Industrial Design, M anufacturing, and prototyping labs , to move designs from concept through release. You will also serve as a working lead for a small group of CAD designers by coordinating project and task loading, providing technical guidance and mentorship, developing team capability, anticipating timing and resource risks, and escalating concerns . Core Responsibilities Execute a wide range of CAD assignments, from quick-turn modeling and drawing updates to complex surfacing, assemblies, and tooling-ready models. Own existing and develop newly defined CAD workstreams or portions of larger projects, coordinating deliverables and maintaining model and drawing quality through release. Create and maintain 3D models, drawings, assemblies, BOM inputs, and change documentation using Siemens NX . Partner with engineers, industrial designers, manufacturing teams, and global CAD resources to translate technical direction into robust CAD deliverables. Lead a small team of CAD designers while remaining a highly engaged individual contributor. Manage team project loading, balance assignments against skills and capacity, and help establish clear priorities. Coach and develop CAD designers through technical guidance, work reviews, knowledge sharing, and targeted skill development. Anticipate CAD capacity, timing, quality, and capability risks; communicate concerns early and escalate resource or schedule needs when appropriate. Promote consistent CAD standards, modeling practices, release quality, and continuous improvement across the team. Support onboarding and help build team flexibility by developing broader capability across products, tools, and project types. Qualifications Technical Associate Degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 7+ years of experience in CAD modeling, drafting, product design support, and related technical assignments. Expert-level Siemens NX ( or comparable ) 3D CAD experience, including complex surfacing and multi-component assemblies. Demonstrated ability to work efficiently across both quick-turn requests and complex, longer-duration assignments. Strong working knowledge of component design and manufacturing methods such as plastic molding, forging, die casting, sheet metal, machining, and related processes. Strong organizational, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. Self-directed, adaptable, and able to operate with limited day-to-day direction while knowing when to engage engineering or functional leadership. Preferred: Practical Understanding of GD&T, tolerance analysis, drawing practices, model quality, and product release requirements. Preferred: Experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating the work of other CAD designers Preferred: Ability to assess workload, match assignments to team capability, recognize delivery risks, and communicate escalation needs clearly. Working conditions: Office Environment Primarily working in an indoor office environment at the Downtown Milwaukee location May sit for several hours at a time Prolonged exposure to computer screens Moderate noise i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers. Travel Requirements Up to 5% We provide these great perks and benefits: Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance plans Generous 401(K) savings plan Education assistance On-site wellness, fitness center, food, and coffee service And many more, check out our benefits site HERE . Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.