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Senior Tooling Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Tooling Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

As a Tooling Engineer II focused on TPS, you will design the tooling that is critical to successfully manufacturing, forming, machining and integrating thermal protection materials. You will work ...

Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process expertise, we continue to bring lightweight and innovative products to market. Job Responsibilities:

Sr. Tooling Engineer

Beverly, MA · On-site

$140K - $150K/yr

Interface with Operations, Engineering, Tooling personnel and Supply Chain to prioritize tooling needs. * Provide hands-on support for basic injection mold and extrusion maintenance and repair ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$118K - $148K/yr

Northwood is looking for a Senior Tooling Engineer to design, build, commission, and improve the tools and equipment that enable us to manufacture, assemble, test, deploy, and scale our ground ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Los Lunas, NM · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

The Senior Tooling Engineer will design, analyze, and procure custom handling equipment for lifting, in-factory movement and overland transportation of Pacific Fusion's large custom hardware. You ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Los Lunas, NM

$101K - $139K/yr

Why This Role Matters The Senior Tooling Engineer will design, analyze, and procure custom handling equipment for lifting, in factory movement and overland transportation of Pacific Fusion's large ...

Tooling Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$162K - $230K/yr

Vast has multiple Tooling Engineer openings, reporting to the Senior Manager, Tooling, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

As a Tooling Engineer II focused on TPS, you will design the tooling that is critical to successfully manufacturing, forming, machining and integrating thermal protection materials. You will work ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Los Lunas, NM · On-site

$147K - $221K/yr

Why This Role Matters The Senior Tooling Engineer will design, analyze, and procure custom handling equipment for lifting, in factory movement and overland transportation of Pacific Fusion's large ...

Senior Tooling Engineer

Marion, OH · On-site

$91K - $124K/yr

... tooling space * Manufacturing background preferred * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Bachelors Degree in Engineering or related field Preferred skills and experiences * 5 years ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Tooling Engineer information

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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior tooling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior tooling engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior tooling engineer?

Senior Tooling Engineers are specialized professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the tools, molds, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. They play a key role in ensuring that production equipment is efficient, safe, and capable of producing high-quality parts. Senior Tooling Engineers often lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate with design, production, and quality teams to optimize manufacturing workflows. Their expertise is essential in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods manufacturing.

What are some common challenges faced by senior tooling engineers when introducing new tooling solutions to manufacturing processes?

Senior Tooling Engineers often encounter challenges such as aligning new tooling solutions with existing manufacturing equipment, ensuring minimal production downtime during implementation, and maintaining high product quality standards. They also need to collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including design, production, and quality assurance—to address unforeseen issues and optimize the tooling for efficiency and safety. Balancing cost-effectiveness with innovation is another key aspect, as is staying updated with the latest industry technologies and standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior tooling engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Tooling Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of tool design, manufacturing processes, materials science, and typically a degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering. Familiarity with CAD/CAM software, mold flow analysis tools, and experience with CNC machinery or related certifications are highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring high-quality tool production, efficient project execution, and seamless collaboration with cross-functional teams.
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Cities with the most Senior Tooling Engineer job openings:

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Infographic showing various Senior Tooling Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Senior Tooling Engineer

Inversion

Vista, CA • On-site

$137K - $193K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth
Who We Are:
Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.
Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform - one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.
Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.
Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space-based defense and logistics.
What You'll Do:
At Inversion, development speed and scalable systems depend on robust, practical tooling that makes assembly and integration repeatable. As a Tooling Engineer II focused on TPS, you will design the tooling that is critical to successfully manufacturing, forming, machining and integrating thermal protection materials. You will work closely with materials engineers, technicians, and manufacturing teams to create tooling that is simple, durable, and effective across demanding thermal processes. In this role, you will:
  • Lead the design of tooling used at each stage of the manufacturing and integration process for TPS materials from initial concept through fabrication.
  • Design layup molds, winding mandrels, and forming tools for parts with complex curvature accounting for elevated-temperature processing, tool-to-part CTE mismatch, and tool life
  • Design tooling that supports thin, curved, and fragile parts through machining, trimming, and drilling
  • Generate detailed CAD, drawings, and fabrication packages for internal and external build
  • Work directly with technicians and manufacturing teams to improve ergonomics, repeatability, and process flow
  • Coordinate with outside vendors and internal machine shop resources to fabricate and modify tooling quickly
  • Improve tooling designs through hands-on iteration during material development and hardware build

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
  • 2+ years of applicable experience designing and fabricating tooling, fixtures, or support equipment
  • Experience using Siemens NX or similar CAD software
  • Strong GD&T, drawing creation, and tolerance fundamentals
  • Familiarity with machining, welding, fabrication, and common shop processes
  • Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing, assembly, or prototype hardware builds
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Capable of working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup environment
  • This position is on-site at Inversion HQ in Playa Vista, CA.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience designing tooling for composite manufacturing, such as layup molds, cure tools, trim and drill fixtures, or bond fixtures
  • Experience designing mandrels for tape winding or filament winding, including extraction, breakdown, or collapsible features
  • Familiarity with tooling materials and construction for elevated-temperature service, such as Invar, tooling board, and composite tooling
  • Familiarity with vacuum bagging, oven, and autoclave processing
  • Familiarity with metrology, alignment tooling, or inspection fixtures
  • Experience working directly with technicians and production teams to refine tooling in use
  • Experience with rapid prototyping methods and quick-turn vendor fabrication

Our office headquarters is located in Playa Vista, CA. This position requires in-office presence.
The California annual base salary for this role is currently $137,000-$193,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
ITAR Compliance:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.
Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Noticefor further details.