Principal Designer - HT Engineering

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.