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Tooling Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Kenda Tires

Tooling Engineer

Cartersville, GA

The Tooling Engineer leads the design and development of precision tooling for the production of steel parts. This role requires a technical expert who will bridge the gap between digital design and ...

Fuyao Glass America Inc

Tooling engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including design, manufacturing, and quality assurance to optimize tooling designs and troubleshoot issues. This role demands a proactive ...

PSG

TOOLING ENGINEER

Archbold, OH

$80K - $90K/yr

Will also assist in specifying and identifying perishable tooling, print information, tooling design and quotes. REQUIREMENTS: * 4+ years of Tooling Engineering * Metal Stamping or related field

Actalent

Tooling Engineer

Saint Paul, MN · On-site

$48 - $57/hr

Design and develop new injection molds, tooling, and fixtures based on product and manufacturing requirements. * Collaborate with product development, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure tools ...

PSG

TOOLING ENGINEER

Archbold, OH · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

Will also assist in specifying and identifying perishable tooling, print information, tooling design and quotes. REQUIREMENTS: * 4+ years of Tooling Engineering * Metal Stamping or related field

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How much do tooling design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for tooling design 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 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 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 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.

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Tooling Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,245 per year, or $38.1 per hour.
Sr. Tooling Design Engineer, Investment Casting

Sr. Tooling Design Engineer, Investment Casting

SpaceX

Bastrop, TX • On-site

Other

Posted 6 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 143 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 60 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SENIOR TOOLING DESIGN ENGINEER, INVESTMENT CASTING 

SpaceX is seeking a Sr. Tooling Design Engineer to own the design and development of wax injection molds and ceramic core injection molds used to produce turbine blades and vanes. This role is critical to scaling reliable, high-performance cast components. You will design complex tooling that must repeatedly deliver extremely tight tolerances and intricate internal cooling geometries while supporting aggressive rate and cost targets. 

As a member of the materials team, you will work closely with materials, casting, and manufacturing engineers to develop tooling solutions from concept through production qualification. Your designs will directly impact casting yield, dimensional stability, and the overall manufacturability of mission-critical hardware. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

  • Design high-precision wax injection molds and ceramic core injection molds for complex turbine blades and vanes 
  • Interpret and enable mold filling simulations and apply first-principles analysis to optimize gating, venting, cooling, and shrinkage compensation 
  • Account for multi-stage shrinkage (wax, ceramic, and alloy) to consistently meet stringent dimensional and metallurgical requirements 
  • Own tooling designs from concept through tryout, qualification, and production release 
  • Collaborate closely casting engineers, materials scientists, and vendors to troubleshoot tooling-related casting defects and improve yield 
  • Apply advanced GD&T and tolerance stack-up analysis to complex airfoil geometries 
  • Support design for manufacturability (DFM) initiatives to enable high-rate production while maintaining quality and cost targets 
  • Interface with internal manufacturing teams and external tooling vendors to ensure designs are successfully translated into reliable production tooling 
  • Drive continuous improvement of tooling standards, materials, and maintenance practices for high-volume casting operations 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS: 

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering, or an engineering discipline 
  • 5+ years of professional experience designing high-precision injection molds for wax patterns or ceramics 

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE: 

  • Demonstrated success taking complex tooling from design through production qualification 
  • Direct experience designing molds used in the production of turbine blades and vanes 
  • Experience with Siemens NX 
  • Experience with injection molding simulation software 
  • In-depth knowledge of wax and ceramic material behavior, rheology, and processing 
  • Deep understanding of the investment casting process and associated shrinkage/ distortion mechanisms 
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, high-mix manufacturing environment 
  • Hands-on experience supporting mold tryouts and casting process development 
  • Experience with manufacturing tooling, including CNC and mold making 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Willingness to work extended hours and weekends when required to support hardware delivery and production campaigns 
  • Must be willing to travel (up to 25%) to external suppliers and other SpaceX facilities 

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