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Tooling Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Pae

Weld Tooling Design Engineer (ES2)

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Developing jig design concepts necessary to support Welding & Manufacturing team operations ... tooling problems. The selected candidate works under the guidance of a senior engineer/scientist.

Collabera

Tooling Design Engineer

Valley City, ND · On-site

Plans, coordinates and performs manufacturing engineering work for a project or process of limited scope. May assign, coordinate and review portions of the work to support personnel, including ...

Actalent

Tool Design Engineer

Postville, IA

Design tooling for plastic injection molding using 3D CAD software, ensuring robust, efficient, and ... Support engineering changes and product revisions that impact tooling by updating designs ...

Eaton

Tooling Engineer

Orchard Park, NY · On-site

$71K - $105K/yr

The Mid-Level Tooling Design Engineer designs, validates, and structurally analyzes specialized manufacturing tooling, assembly fixturing, high-pressure test fixtures, and test stands for commercial ...

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Tooling Design Engineer information

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$53.5K

$90.4K

$133.5K

How much do tooling design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for tooling design engineer in the United States is $90,449.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,000.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Tooling Design Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectTooling Design EngineerManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical or Industrial Engineering, CAD certificationsBachelor's in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering, CAD certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, manufacturing plantsProduction floors, design offices, plant management
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, consumer goods manufacturingAutomotive, aerospace, electronics, consumer products

Tooling Design Engineers focus on creating and optimizing tools and dies used in manufacturing processes, while Manufacturing Engineers oversee the entire production process to improve efficiency and quality. Both roles require engineering backgrounds and CAD skills, but their daily tasks and focus areas differ significantly.

What are some common challenges Tooling Design Engineers face when working on new product launches?

Tooling Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as tight development timelines, evolving product specifications, and the need to balance cost-efficiency with durability in tooling materials. Collaborating closely with manufacturing teams and suppliers is crucial to ensure designs are both manufacturable and maintainable. Additionally, they must proactively address potential production bottlenecks by anticipating how tool designs will perform during large-scale manufacturing, which often requires adaptability and strong problem-solving skills.

What are Tooling Design Engineers?

Tooling Design Engineers are professionals who design and develop tools, dies, molds, jigs, fixtures, and other equipment used in manufacturing processes. They work closely with production teams to ensure that the tools they design improve efficiency, maintain quality, and meet specific production requirements. These engineers use CAD software and engineering principles to create precise and durable tooling solutions, and often collaborate with machinists and other engineers to refine their designs. Their role is vital in optimizing the manufacturing workflow and reducing production costs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Tooling Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tooling Design Engineer, you need expertise in mechanical engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, often supported by a relevant engineering degree. Mastery of tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and familiarity with simulation software or GD&T certifications are commonly required. Strong problem-solving, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you collaborate with cross-functional teams and address complex design challenges. These skills ensure the delivery of efficient, cost-effective tooling solutions that meet production and quality standards.
More about Tooling Design Engineer jobs
What states have the most Tooling Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Tooling Design Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Tooling Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Tooling Design Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Design Engineer jobs? For Tooling Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Tooling Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,449 per year, or $43.5 per hour.
Tooling Design/Programming Engineer II

Tooling Design/Programming Engineer II

Techstaff

Mesa, AZ

$85 - $95K/hr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

  • 4-10 work schedule 
  • Salary $85 - $95k
  • Open to relocation assistance
  • Must be eligible to work in the USA with no sponsorship- now or in the future

Position Summary
The Tooling Design/Programming Engineer II designs, programs, documents, and supports tooling and manufacturing processes used to produce high-precision components.
The position develops stamping dies, fixtures, workholding, gauges, assembly tooling, and related components, while also creating and optimizing CNC programs used to manufacture tooling, prototypes, fixtures, and production parts.
This is a hands-on engineering role responsible for independently managing moderately complex assignments from concept through design, programming, fabrication, qualification, and production release. Success is measured by the ability to deliver safe, capable, maintainable, and cost-effective tooling and processes that meet quality, delivery, and productivity requirements.
 
Primary Responsibilities
  • Design stamping dies, fixtures, workholding, gauges, assembly tooling, and other production support equipment.
  • Develop tooling concepts, strip layouts, manufacturing sequences, and process plans.
  • Create 3D models, detailed drawings, bills of material, setup documentation, and manufacturing specifications.
  • Select appropriate materials, standard components, coatings, heat treatments, tolerances, fits, and clearances.
  • Develop CNC programs for tooling components, fixtures, prototypes, gauges, and production parts.
  • Select machining strategies, cutting tools, feeds, speeds, workholding methods, and setup requirements.
  • Verify CNC programs through simulation, prove-out, and first-piece inspection.
  • Support Tool & Die Makers and machinists during fabrication, assembly, setup, tryout, and production implementation.
  • Troubleshoot tooling failures, dimensional variation, process instability, excessive wear, scrap, and downtime.
  • Lead or support root cause analysis and corrective action for tooling and programming-related issues.
  • Modify and improve tooling and CNC programs to improve quality, capability, cycle time, tool life, uptime, and maintainability.
  • Participate in quotation, manufacturability, new product introduction, first article, validation, and production-readiness activities.
  • Identify technical, capacity, quality, cost, and schedule risks and communicate concerns before they affect commitments.
  • Maintain accurate revision control for drawings, CAD models, CAM files, CNC programs, bills of material, and setup documentation.
  • Apply GD&T and engineering standards to ensure tooling and processes consistently meet product requirements.
  • Support PFMEAs, control plans, process capability studies, gauge R&R, corrective actions, and other quality-system activities.
  • Support Lean manufacturing, setup reduction, standardization, mistake-proofing, and other continuous-improvement efforts.
  • Evaluate new tooling, machining, CAD/CAM, and manufacturing technologies when justified by business need.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Technology, or a related discipline; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  • Three to seven years of experience in tooling design, manufacturing engineering, CNC programming, or precision manufacturing.
  • Experience designing dies, fixtures, workholding, gauges, or production support equipment.
  • Experience developing CNC programs using a commercial CAM system.
  • Proficiency with 3D CAD software, preferably SolidWorks.
  • Working knowledge of GD&T, machining processes, cutting tools, materials, tolerances, and fits.
  • Ability to create and interpret detailed engineering drawings and manufacturing documentation.
  • Experience supporting tooling fabrication, machining, assembly, tryout, and production implementation.
  • Ability to independently resolve moderately complex tooling and manufacturing problems.
  • Strong written, verbal, and shop-floor communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience designing precision stamping dies, progressive dies, master dies, replaceable inserts, and strip layouts.
  • Experience with milling, turning, grinding, EDM, wire EDM, and tool-room practices.
  • Experience with SolidWorks and Mastercam or comparable CAD/CAM systems.
  • Experience in medical-device, semiconductor, aerospace, defense, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
  • Knowledge of PFMEA, control plans, process capability, gauge R&R, and first article inspection.
  • Formal Tool & Die, machining, CNC, or technical apprenticeship experience.
Key Attributes
  • Hands-on and comfortable working directly with manufacturing personnel
  • Practical, solutions-oriented, and accountable for results
  • Strong technical judgment and attention to detail
  • Proactive in identifying and communicating risk
  • Organized and capable of managing multiple priorities
  • Collaborative across Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Tool & Die
  • Committed to safety, quality, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement
Performance Measures
  • Tooling and programming assignments completed on schedule
  • First-pass tooling and CNC program success
  • Tooling qualification and production-release performance
  • Tooling-related scrap, downtime, and recurring issues
  • Cycle-time, setup-time, and tool-life improvements
  • Accuracy and completeness of engineering documentation
  • Responsiveness to production support requirements
  • Safety, quality, delivery, and cost impact of completed projects
Decision-Making Authority
The Tooling Design/Programming Engineer II is authorized to:
  • Make routine tooling design and CNC programming decisions within established engineering standards.
  • Recommend tooling concepts, materials, manufacturing methods, cutting tools, and purchased components.
  • Recommend changes to tooling, fixtures, drawings, programs, and manufacturing processes.
  • Stop or delay tooling release or manufacturing activity when an unresolved safety, quality, or technical risk exists.
  • Escalate significant technical, cost, capacity, quality, or schedule risks to the Engineering Manager.
Changes affecting customer requirements, regulatory compliance, product design authority, or significant capital expenditure require appropriate approval.
 
Education:Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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