Design & Manufacturing Engineer – CNC / DFM

Location: Scarborough, ON
Employment: Full-Time | Permanent
Schedule: Day Shift | Monday–Friday
Compensation: $35–$40/hour + Benefits

Where Mechanical Design Meets CNC Manufacturing

We're recruiting for an established Canadian advanced manufacturing organization seeking a Design & Manufacturing Engineer who can bridge the gap between mechanical design and real-world CNC manufacturing.

This is a hybrid engineering role for someone who doesn't want to spend their entire career behind a CAD screen or solely on the shop floor.

You'll take projects from CAD through manufacturing: reviewing complex customer designs, performing DFM analysis, designing fixtures and workholding in SolidWorks, supporting CAM and machining strategy, and working directly with CNC machinists to solve production challenges.

If you're strong in SolidWorks and mechanical design but also genuinely understand CNC milling, turning, tooling, feeds and speeds, GD&T, and manufacturability, this role offers the opportunity to use both sides of your skill set.

What You'll Be Doing

Mechanical Design & DFM

• Review customer CAD models, engineering drawings, and technical specifications

• Perform Design for Manufacturability (DFM) analysis for precision-machined components

• Identify potential manufacturing challenges before designs reach production

• Recommend design changes to improve manufacturability, quality, cost, and repeatability

• Interpret and apply GD&T requirements

• Work with customers and internal teams to turn engineering concepts into practical manufacturing solutions

SolidWorks, Fixturing & Tooling Design

• Design custom workholding fixtures, soft jaws, production tooling, and manufacturing aids

• Create detailed 3D models and drawings using SolidWorks

• Develop practical fixture solutions that improve setup time, repeatability, and machining accuracy

• Validate designs against real-world CNC manufacturing requirements

CNC Machining & CAM

• Develop and validate machining strategies for complex components

• Generate or verify CAM toolpaths using Mastercam or comparable CAM software

• Select appropriate tooling and cutting strategies

• Determine feeds, speeds, setup requirements, and machining sequences

• Support machining feasibility and process prove-outs

• Optimize cycle times without compromising dimensional or quality requirements

Manufacturing Process Development

• Develop manufacturing routings and operation sequences

• Create tool lists, setup documentation, and operation instructions

• Establish standardized machining strategies, feeds, speeds, and tooling practices

• Improve manufacturing consistency, repeatability, and cycle-time efficiency

Shop-Floor Engineering & Troubleshooting

This is a hands-on engineering role.

You'll work directly with CNC programmers, machinists, and Quality to:

• Troubleshoot machining and manufacturing issues

• Solve dimensional and quality problems

• Optimize setups and machining strategies

• Reduce scrap and rework

• Improve cycle times

• Perform root-cause analysis

• Implement permanent corrective solutions

Quoting & Manufacturing Feasibility

• Provide engineering support during the quoting process

• Estimate machining cycle times and setup requirements

• Evaluate tooling requirements and costs

• Assess material utilization and yield

• Determine manufacturing complexity and feasibility

• Help ensure new work is quoted using realistic production assumptions

What We're Looking For

• 3–5+ years of relevant mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, CNC machining, or machining-support experience

• Strong SolidWorks capabilities

• Strong understanding of mechanical design and DFM principles

• Practical knowledge of CNC milling and turning

• Understanding of machining setups, tooling, feeds, speeds, and cutting mechanics

• Ability to read and interpret complex engineering drawings

• Strong understanding of GD&T

• CAM programming or toolpath experience

• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, machinists, Quality, suppliers, and customers

CAM Experience

Mastercam experience is strongly preferred.

Comparable experience may include:

• Fusion 360

• SolidWorks CAM

• Esprit

• GibbsCAM

• Similar CNC/CAM platforms

The Background We're Targeting

We're particularly interested in candidates who have worked within:

• Precision CNC Machining

• Custom Manufacturing

• Aerospace Manufacturing

• Automotive Manufacturing

• Industrial Equipment

• Machine Shops

• Tool & Die

• Engineered Components

• High-Mix / Low-Volume Manufacturing

• Advanced Manufacturing

Experience combining precision machining with sheet metal fabrication or welding is an additional asset.

Education

A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related discipline is preferred.

However, we're equally interested in strong candidates who have developed their expertise through a combination of:

• CNC machining experience

• Technical education

• Trade certification

• Mechanical design

• CAM programming

• Hands-on manufacturing engineering experience

We're looking for capability, not simply credentials.

Who Will Thrive Here?

You'll likely be successful if you:

• Enjoy both mechanical design and hands-on manufacturing

• Think about how a component will actually be machined while you're designing it

• Can communicate effectively with both engineers and machinists

• Enjoy solving difficult manufacturing problems

• Understand that a good CAD model isn't necessarily a manufacturable design

• Are comfortable moving between SolidWorks, CAM, engineering drawings, and the shop floor

• Take ownership of problems and work through them until they're solved

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• $35–$40/hour, based on experience

• Full-time permanent position

• Monday–Friday day shift

• Comprehensive benefits

• Work across both design engineering and advanced manufacturing

• Direct exposure to complex precision-machined projects

• Opportunity to influence projects from design through production

• Work closely with experienced CNC machinists and engineering professionals

• Variety of technically challenging customer projects

• Employee assistance program

• Extended health care

• Life insurance

• Company events

• On-site parking

Apply Today

If you're a Design or Manufacturing Engineer who understands CNC machining, or a strong machining professional who has developed serious engineering and SolidWorks capabilities, we'd like to hear from you.

Apply today to learn more.