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Tooling Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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 resolve any issues that arise during production. This ...

UNAKA COMPANY, Inc.

Tooling Engineer

Greeneville, TN · On-site

Position Summary Meco Corporation is seeking an experienced Tooling Engineer to provide advanced technical and operational support for metal stamping tooling design, development, and production ...

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 ...

Top Gun Staffing Inc

Tooling Engineer

Weyauwega, WI

Support tooling design, development, maintenance, modification, and replacement activities. * Review engineering drawings, casting layouts, and tooling designs to ensure compliance with dimensional ...

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How much do tooling design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 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 is the highest paid design job?

In tooling design and related engineering fields, senior roles such as Lead Tooling Engineer or Design Manager tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures annually. These positions typically require extensive experience, advanced technical skills, and knowledge of CAD software and manufacturing processes.

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.

How much do tool designers make?

Tool designers typically earn a median annual salary of around $60,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Advanced skills in CAD software and knowledge of manufacturing processes can lead to higher compensation, with some experienced professionals earning over $100,000 annually.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineering roles such as senior aerospace engineers, petroleum engineers, or specialized software engineers in high-demand industries can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership or executive responsibilities.

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 use CAD software to design tools, analyze materials, and ensure functionality and safety, often collaborating with engineers and machinists. Strong knowledge of manufacturing methods, materials, and precision measurement is essential in this role.

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.

More about Tooling Design jobs
What states have the most Tooling Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Tooling Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Tooling Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Tooling Design jobs are:
Tooling Design jobs near you
Sr. Tooling Design Engineer, Investment Casting

Sr. Tooling Design Engineer, Investment Casting

SpaceX

Bastrop, TX • On-site

Other

Posted 29 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th 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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