Jig and Tool Designer

Jig and Tool Designers Make Vital Contributions to the Manufacturing Process

If someone needs to have an extra key cut for a specific lock, they will typically take the original key to a hardware store or big-box store that offers this service. As that person watches, the proprietor or staff member secures the original key and a blank key parallel to each other in a cutting device then pushes a button/flips a switch; this sets a spinning blade in motion that passes under the blank and cuts the duplicate while the pre-cut key acts as a guide or template for the path of the blade.

This key cutting machine is an everyday example of what is commonly known as a jig, or a device that both holds the work piece/material and guides the cutting tool to perform a specific operation; as an aside, it is the latter guiding action that typically differentiates a jig from a fixture, which has only the singular role of holding the workpiece in place.

Within the manufacturing sector, jigs are distinctive tools used in the production process to provide uniform quality, accuracy/precision, and interchangeability of components or parts. Whether the need is for a single key or precise openings in thousands of plastic or metal modules for a mass-produced item, the cuts must be custom in nature; the key would be useless if it cannot open the lock, and the time and money invested in making that item will be wasted if its parts do not fit together properly; achieving the desired level of precision is the responsibility of a jig and tool designer.

Capable jig and tool designers can deliver significant contributions to the manufacturing process relative to:

  • Cost Savings
  • Time Savings
  • Waste Reduction
  • Production Volume
  • Operating Efficiency
  • Quality and Accuracy

Some of the specific responsibilities for a jig and tool designer may include the following:

  • Preparing process sheets/maps and standard operating procedures
  • Verifying accuracy and quality in accordance with control procedures
  • Ensuring adherence to all safety and regulatory policies and procedures
  • Designing jigs and tools using schematics/drawings
  • Devising work-holding solutions that reduce set-up times
  • Determining the methods and the sequencing of operations
  • Ensuring that jigs and tools function with proper angles/contours

Educational background for jig and tool designers is typically an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, mechanical technology, or related technical field. The capability to use computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) software would be an asset when seeking employment in this field.

Connecting Top Talent
With Great Companies

Find your ideal position today

Align Jig and Tool Designer Jobs Searches with Recruitment Agency Resources

The knowledge and skills of jig and tool designers can address a wide variety of needs in the manufacturing sector; a small sampling of the different applications for jigs includes:

Drilling

Welding

Tapering

Machining

Woodworking

However, due to the specific nature of this role, many manufacturers in search of skilled jig and tool designers will contract the services of a recruitment agency such as Winters Technical Staffing to identify, evaluate, and present suitable candidates. In such cases, agencies like Winters Technical Staffing will maintain/have access to a group of possible candidates with varying degrees of work experience and expertise, thereby permitting them to move quickly in an effort to fulfill the needs of their clients.

In turn, this bodes well for individuals seeking employment in this area of manufacturing as it can provide direct access to job opportunities that are often not advertised through public means/avenues. By aligning their search efforts with the networking resources of Winters Technical Staffing, job seekers can streamline the process more effectively, thus enhancing their overall potential for success.

Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto has been a leader in placing qualified candidates in manufacturing jobs, including jig and tool designers, for more than 40 years. Therefore, individuals interested in pursuing an entry-level or senior role as a jig and tool designer may find it advantageous to capitalize on the knowledge, resources, and manufacturing sector networking available to them through these experienced placement professionals.

For more information on the specialization of Winters Technical Staffing with respect to recruitment for the manufacturing sector, including jobs for jig and tool designers, visit

For more information on the specialization of Winters Technical Staffing with respect to recruitment for the manufacturing sector, including jobs for jig and tool designers, visit

Contact Winters Today

Begin or advance your career as a jig and tool designer by capitalizing on the networking and resources provided by one of Toronto’s leading staffing agencies for manufacturing jobs. Call the recruitment specialists from Winters Technical Staffing at 416-495-7422 today to book a no-obligation discussion with one of our knowledgeable consultants.