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Tooling Design Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Vidoori

Security Software Developer

Hyattsville, MD · On-site

This role offers the opportunity to design, build and maintain secure software components and developer-focused security tooling, and to collaborate across engineering, product and security teams ...

kgs

Automation, Tooling, & Analytics Lead

Washington, DC · On-site

$117K - $154K/yr

... design, CMDB integrity, and emerging AI/agentic automation capabilities within established security ... Establish governance for automation and analytics tooling, including access control, change control ...

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$26

$43

$57

How much do tooling design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for tooling design in Washington is $43.15, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.38 and $50.38 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is tooling design?

Tooling design is the process of creating and developing tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures required to manufacture parts and products efficiently and accurately. Tooling designers work closely with engineers and manufacturers to ensure that the tools meet production needs, maintain quality, and optimize processes. This field is crucial in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and consumer goods where custom tools are needed to mass-produce components. Effective tooling design can reduce production costs, improve product quality, and speed up manufacturing cycles.

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

To thrive as a Tooling Designer, you need strong knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, CAD software proficiency, and experience with manufacturing processes, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and simulation software, as well as knowledge of industry standards, is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial to ensure the creation of efficient, precise tooling that supports safe and cost-effective production.

What are some common challenges faced by tooling designers when collaborating with manufacturing teams?

Tooling designers often encounter challenges such as balancing design specifications with manufacturability and cost constraints. Effective communication with manufacturing teams is crucial to ensure that tooling designs are practical and align with production capabilities. Additionally, adapting designs to accommodate last-minute changes or resolving unforeseen production issues requires flexibility and problem-solving skills. Building strong working relationships with engineers and machinists helps streamline the design-to-production process.

What is the difference between Tooling Design vs Manufacturing Engineering?

AspectTooling DesignManufacturing Engineering
Primary FocusDesigning and developing manufacturing tools and equipmentPlanning and optimizing manufacturing processes
Required SkillsCAD, mechanical design, materials knowledgeProcess analysis, production workflows, quality control
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, machine shopsFactory floors, production lines
Common CertificationsCAD certifications, mechanical engineering degreesSix Sigma, Lean Manufacturing certifications

Tooling Design focuses on creating the tools and equipment used in manufacturing, while Manufacturing Engineering oversees the entire production process. Both roles require technical skills and often collaborate to improve manufacturing efficiency.

What does a tooling design do?

A tooling designer creates and develops tools, dies, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes to produce parts efficiently and accurately. They use CAD software and have knowledge of materials, manufacturing methods, and engineering standards to ensure tools meet production requirements. The role often involves collaboration with engineers and machinists to optimize tool performance and durability.

What are popular job titles related to Tooling Design jobs in Washington?

For Tooling Design jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Tooling Design jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Tooling Design jobs in Washington are:

Tooling Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Design job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 8% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,752 per year, or $43.1 per hour.

Software Engineer (ML Visualization & Tooling)

Cynnovative

Arlington, VA • On-site

$85 - $120/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

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Job description

At Cynnovative, we leverage machine learning, computer science, and software engineering to address high-impact problems in the cyber domain, specifically those which are critical to U.S. national security. We primarily extend fundamental research to invent, design, develop, and deploy prototype solutions that support persistent problems in this domain.

Job Overview

As a Software Engineer (ML Visualization & Tooling) at Cynnovative, you will be responsible for developing user interfaces and internal tools that enable interaction with LLM experimentation workflows. This role is critical to making machine learning systems usable, intuitive, and accessible in support of U.S. national security efforts.

NOTE: This role requires an active TS/SCI security clearance and is located on-site in Northern Virginia.

Responsibilities May Include

Develop internal tools and user interfaces for ML experimentation

  • Build applications to launch, configure, and monitor experiments
  • Enable rapid iteration through intuitive and responsive tooling

Design and implement data visualization dashboards

  • Visualize model outputs, experiment comparisons, and performance metrics
  • Build interactive views (e.g., tables, charts, distributions) for exploring results
  • Support analysis of large-scale experiment outputs

Integrate frontend applications with backend systems

  • Connect to APIs for experiment execution, data retrieval, and logging
  • Handle asynchronous workflows and real-time updates
  • Ensure performance and reliability of UI components

Support development of prototype user-facing applications

  • Build lightweight interfaces for demonstration and validation

Collaborate cross-functionally

  • Work with applied mathematicians and ML engineers to translate experimental workflows into intuitive user interfaces
Requirements Must Have
  • B.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field
  • Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical teams
  • Proficiency in modern frontend development
    • React, TypeScript, or similar frameworks
  • Experience building full-stack or frontend-heavy applications
    • API integration, state management, asynchronous data handling
  • Familiarity with backend technologies
  • Experience with version control systems, particularly Git
  • U.S. Citizenship and active TS/SCI security clearance
Desired Skills Nice To Have
  • Familiarity with ML/AI workflows or experimentation tools
  • Experience building data visualization tools
    • Plotly, Streamlit, or similar
  • Experience working with APIs
    • REST, GraphQL
  • Understanding of UX principles for technical or data-heavy applications
  • Experience deploying applications using Docker or cloud platforms
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