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Senior Tool Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Tooling Designer

Sandpoint, ID · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Job Title Senior Tooling Designer Who are we? As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist ... Create detailed tool drawings that support manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, repair, and ...

Senior Tooling Designer

Sandpoint, ID · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Job Title Senior Tooling Designer Who are we? As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist ... Create detailed tool drawings that support manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, repair, and ...

Job Title Senior Tooling Designer Who are we? As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist ... Create detailed tool drawings that support manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, repair, and ...

Tool & Die Maker Intern

Fargo, ND

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

Participate making pultrusion and extrusion tooling designed for and by Marvin Composites for ... Gain hands-on experience with our Senior Tool Makers to gain practical skills for a career in tool ...

Tool & Die Maker Intern

Fargo, ND

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

Participate making pultrusion and extrusion tooling designed for and by Marvin Composites for ... Gain hands-on experience with our Senior Tool Makers to gain practical skills for a career in tool ...

Tool & Die Maker Intern

Fargo, ND

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

Participate making pultrusion and extrusion tooling designed for and by Marvin Composites for ... Gain hands-on experience with our Senior Tool Makers to gain practical skills for a career in tool ...

Tool & Die Maker Intern

Fargo, ND · On-site

$25.50 - $32.25/hr

Participate making pultrusion and extrusion tooling designed for and by Marvin Composites for ... Gain hands-on experience with our Senior Tool Makers to gain practical skills for a career in tool ...

Dsgn Spec II

Aiken, SC · On-site

$72K - $122K/yr

Work under the guidance of Senior Tool Design Specialists to enhance knowledge and skills in designing effective tooling and fixtures. * Produce 3D CAD models and 2D technical drawing packages from ...

Senior Tool and Die Maker

Red Lion, PA · On-site

$37.72 - $41.35/hr

About the Role The Tool & Die Maker is responsible for building, repairing, and maintaining ... Designs simple tools, dies, jigs and fixtures for production areas. Builds drill jigs and fixtures ...

Summary/Objective The Tool and Die Technician is responsible for building, designing, blueprinting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing tool and die components used in manufacturing ...

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Senior Tool Designer information

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How much do senior tool designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior tool designer in the United States is $38.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.25 and $44.47 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Senior Tool Designers?

Senior Tool Designers are experienced professionals who create, develop, and improve tools, dies, molds, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. They work closely with engineers and production teams to ensure that tools are efficient, cost-effective, and meet specific design requirements. Senior Tool Designers often use CAD software to draft designs, oversee the fabrication process, and troubleshoot issues that arise during production. Their expertise helps companies streamline manufacturing, maintain quality standards, and reduce production costs.

What is the highest paid design job?

Senior Tool Designers can earn high salaries, especially when working in specialized industries like aerospace or automotive manufacturing, where advanced skills in CAD software and tool development are valued. However, executive-level design roles such as Chief Design Officer or Lead Industrial Designer often have higher compensation, particularly in large corporations or innovative firms.

How much do tool designers make?

Tool designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $65,000 to $75,000, with experienced professionals and those in specialized industries earning higher. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and the complexity of the tools designed, and many tool designers also benefit from skills in CAD software and manufacturing processes.

What jobs can DT GCSE get you?

A Senior Tool Designer with a DT GCSE qualification can pursue roles in manufacturing, engineering, or tool design, often working with CAD software and precision machinery. Additional certifications or technical training may enhance job prospects in specialized areas of tool development and production.

What are some of the common challenges faced by Senior Tool Designers when collaborating with cross-functional teams?

Senior Tool Designers often work closely with engineers, machinists, and production managers to ensure tools meet both design specifications and manufacturing requirements. A common challenge is balancing the technical needs of each department, such as optimizing tool functionality while considering cost and manufacturability. Effective communication and compromise are essential, as priorities may differ between teams. Success in this role often depends on the ability to translate complex design concepts into practical solutions that align with broader project goals.

What is the difference between Senior Tool Designer vs Tooling Engineer?

AspectSenior Tool DesignerTooling Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in mechanical engineering or manufacturing technology, with experience in tool designRequires similar engineering degrees, often with additional certifications in manufacturing processes
Work EnvironmentDesign-focused, often in CAD software, collaborating with manufacturing teamsMore technical, involved in the development, testing, and maintenance of tooling systems
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace industriesUsed in manufacturing, industrial equipment, and production facilities

While both roles require engineering knowledge and involve manufacturing environments, Senior Tool Designers focus on designing and developing tools, whereas Tooling Engineers handle the technical implementation, testing, and maintenance of tooling systems. Both roles are essential in manufacturing processes but differ in their primary responsibilities and focus areas.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Tool Designer, and why are they important?

As a Senior Tool Designer, expertise in mechanical design, CAD software, and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes are essential, typically supported by an engineering degree or equivalent experience. Proficiency with design tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation software, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is commonly required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in collaborating with engineers and production teams. These competencies ensure the creation of efficient, reliable tools that optimize manufacturing workflows and reduce production costs.

What does a tool designer do?

A tool designer develops and creates tools, dies, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes to produce parts and products. They analyze product specifications, create detailed drawings, and select appropriate materials, often using CAD software, to ensure tools are efficient, durable, and meet quality standards.
What cities are hiring for Senior Tool Designer jobs? Cities with the most Senior Tool Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Tool Designer jobs? The most popular types of Tool Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Tool Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Tool Designer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Senior Tool Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,245 per year, or $38.1 per hour.
Senior Tooling Designer

Senior Tooling Designer

Daher

Sandpoint, ID • On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Daher rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 63 rated aerospace companies


Job description

Job Title
Senior Tooling Designer
Who are we?
As an aircraft manufacturer, industrialist, industrial service provider and logistician, Daher currently has approximately 14,500 employees and achieved a revenue of 1.9 billion euros in 2025. With its family ownership, Daher has been focused on innovation since its creation in 1863. With locations in 15 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, Daher designs and develops value-added solutions for its aeronautical and industrial customers and partners
Kodiak Aircraft is seeking a highly capable Senior Tooling Designer to create practical, reliable tooling solutions that support stable, repeatable, and efficient aircraft production.
This role connects Tooling, Manufacturing Engineering, Production, Quality, Supply Chain, and suppliers. You will design fixtures, jigs, assembly aids, and tooling solutions that reflect real shop-floor needs and improve how aircraft are built.
This is more than a CAD design role. It is an opportunity to use hands-on manufacturing insight, production data, and strong tooling judgment to improve ergonomics, repeatability, flow, and quality in a low-rate aerospace production environment.
Why this role matters: the right tooling can reduce rework, improve ergonomics, increase repeatability, and help mechanics build aircraft more efficiently and consistently.
What Makes This Role Senior
Senior does not simply mean more years of tooling experience. We are looking for someone who can operate with independent judgment, bring practical ideas from prior roles, challenge tooling requests when needed, and help improve how tooling is designed, fabricated, validated, and maintained.
What You Will Do
  • Work directly with mechanics, Manufacturing Engineers, and the Tooling Lead to understand real build constraints and high-impact tooling needs.

  • Design tooling, fixtures, jigs, and assembly aids for structures, subassemblies, machining, fabrication, final assembly, and installation.

  • Create detailed tool drawings that support manufacturing, assembly, maintenance, repair, and supplier fabrication.

  • Ensure tooling designs are practical, robust, repeatable, ergonomic, maintainable, and realistic to fabricate with available resources.

  • Use production data such as rework, cycle time, bottlenecks, and labor impact to support tooling prioritization recommendations.

  • Validate tooling performance in production and improve or redesign tooling that does not add value.

What We Are Looking For
  • 7-10+ years of experience in tooling design and fabrication within aerospace or complex manufacturing.

  • Strong hands-on background in fabrication such as machining, welding, sheet metal, assembly tooling, or related processes.

  • Deep understanding of fixture design, locator strategies, tolerance stack-up, repeatability, and assembly constraints.

  • Proficiency in CAD; NX strongly preferred, with CATIA, SolidWorks, or equivalent platforms considered.

  • Competence applying GD&T per ASME Y14.5 and familiarity with gaging and fixturing principles.

  • Proven ability to design tooling that works on the floor and measurably improves production efficiency, ergonomics, and quality.

Preferred
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field, experience in low-rate high-mix production, supplier-built tooling validation, Lean or continuous improvement, and knowledge of tooling-related safety standards.

Why Kodiak Aircraft in Sandpoint?
At Kodiak Aircraft, tooling decisions are visible in the way aircraft are actually built. This role gives you the opportunity to stay close to the shop floor, solve practical production problems, and create tools that mechanics trust and use.
Sandpoint offers meaningful aerospace work in a unique location, with Lake Pend Oreille and Schweitzer Mountain nearby. If you enjoy turning real production constraints into better tooling solutions, we would like to hear from you.
Information related to the position:
  • The compensation range is $80,000 to $100,000 in base salary plus an annual target bonus.
  • The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Daher considers a number of factors when determining salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, skills, and current market conditions.
  • At Daher, your total rewards package is more than just your base salary as we offer a full benefit package including Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Life insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Paid Time Off, Paid Holidays and more.

Your next opportunity starts here - here are the next steps:
  • Review of your application
  • An initial conversation with a recruiter
  • One or more interviews depending on the position, with the relevant team members and manager(s)
  • After the interviews, constructive feedback regardless of the outcome

All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. By completing an application with Daher, you are seeking to join a team of hardworking professionals dedicated to consistently delivering outstanding service to our customers and contributing to the financial success of the organization, its clients, and its employees. Equal access to programs, services, and employment is available to all qualified persons. Those applicants requiring accommodation to complete the application and/or interview process should contact an HR representative.
Daher complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as amended by the ADA Amendments Act, and all applicable state or local law.

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