Tool Designer

Position: Tool Designer

Closing date: 25 March 2026

Incomar is an aerospace and defence company based in Centurion, South Africa. We are continuously expanding our specialised product development and flight operations capabilities. The group was established in South Africa in 1999, with its origins in military aircraft weapons and avionics integration and flight testing. The company is well established in the local and international industry, with a strong capability in several specialist areas, including:

• Systems Design, Development, and Integration.


• System Testing on a range of platforms / products.


• Product Development.


• Flight Test Execution and Support.

A Tool Designer within the Manufacturing Engineering department plays a critical role in supporting the industrialisation of new products from early prototyping through to full serial production. This position is responsible for conceptualising, designing, and developing specialised tooling, fixtures, and assembly aids that enable efficient, safe, and repeatable production processes. Working closely with design, manufacturing engineering, supply chain, and production teams, the Tool Designer ensures that all tooling solutions meet technical requirements, quality standards, and operational needs throughout the product lifecycle.

Required Qualifications:

• Completed Apprenticeship in Tool Making and/or a Technical Diploma in Engineering with accreditation in CAD/CAM design tools.


• Police clearance certificate (required prior to commencement of employment).

Required Skills and Experience:

• 3 or more years of experience in tool design within the automotive (Aerospace preferred) Industry.


• Experience and Knowledge of tool design and manufacturing processes for composite products.


• Proficiency in 3D CAD (e.g. SolidWorks, AutoCAD, CATIA), knowledge of aerospace manufacturing methods and GD&T, and prior exposure to production or toolroom environments.


• Familiarity with industry standards such as ISO 9001, AS9100, and aerospace-specific regulations.


• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage continuous improvement activities.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Experience in the aerospace, automotive, electronics, or precision engineering sectors is advantageous.


• Strong proficiency in 3D CAD and drafting for tooling and fixture design (SolidWorks preferred).


• Good understanding of aerospace manufacturing processes: CNC machining, sheet metal, composites, assembly, drilling, and metrology.


• Practical knowledge of GD&T, tolerancing for interchangeability, and inspection methods using CMMs and gauges.


• Familiarity with automation and robotics is often desirable for tooling around automated drilling, fastening, or composite placement.


• Experience with test and calibration usage and handling.

Job Description:

• The Tool Designer will be required to Industrialise products for prototype and serial production.


• The role involves close collaboration with design, production, quality assurance, and supply chain teams.


• Design and develop jigs, fixtures, moulds, gauges and assembly aids for aerospace component manufacture and assembly, from concept through release to production.


• Analyse engineering drawings and 3D models to define tooling requirements, tolerances and inspection strategies; apply GD&T to achieve required accuracy.


• Produce detailed 3D CAD models and 2D drawings, including BOMs and specifications, ensuring compliance with internal and customer standards.


• Collaborate with design, manufacturing, quality and shop-floor personnel to optimise tooling for safety, ergonomics, cost, and producibility.


• Support build trials, commissioning, troubleshooting and continuous improvement of existing tools; implement design changes and maintain configuration control.


• Prepare usage instructions, maintenance plans, and inspection criteria; provide training and technical support to production users as needed.

Key Qualities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Good communicator.


• Able to maintain strict confidentiality.


• Able to multitask.


• Self-motivated and output driven.


• High work capacity and ability to deliver under pressure.


• Quality driven with good attention to detail.


• Team player.

Responsibilities:

• Develop detailed tooling concepts, layouts, and 3D CAD models (fixtures, jigs, moulds, dies, assembly aids).


• Produce BOMs, tool engineering drawings, BOMs, and specifications for tool fabrication and procurement.


• Perform tolerance analysis, and ensure tools meet manufacturability and serviceability requirements.


• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers to integrate tooling within production lines; support prototype runs and process validation.


• Specify materials, surface treatments, heat treatments, and hardening where required.


• Troubleshoot tooling issues (wear, alignment, repeatability) and propose corrective actions / improvements.


• Work with suppliers to source, quote, and qualify tool suppliers; manage tool fabrication, acceptance, commissioning.


• Maintain tooling documentation, registers, change control, and lifecycle costing; drive continuous improvement initiatives.


• Ensure tooling designs comply with company safety, regulatory, and quality standards.