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Tooling Designer Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

HGC Industries

Tooling Manager

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

HGC Industries is a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing gaskets, sealing surfaces, and ... The Tooling Manager is responsible for leading the development, optimization, maintenance, and ...

HGC Industries

Tooling Manager

Indianapolis, IN

HGC Industries is a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing gaskets, sealing surfaces, and ... The Tooling Manager is responsible for leading the development, optimization, maintenance, and ...

Valeo

Tooling Engineer

Seymour, IN · On-site

Valeo is a tech global company, designing breakthrough solutions to reinvent the mobility. We are ... Lead the tooling design and approval process according to the Valeo standards & Procedure (RAISE)

Valeo

Tooling Engineer

Seymour, IN

Valeo is a tech global company, designing breakthrough solutions to reinvent the mobility. We are ... Lead the tooling design and approval process according to the Valeo standards & Procedure (RAISE)

Nucor

Tooling Engineer

Saint Joe, IN

The Tool Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing tooling, manufacturing processes, part progressions, and detailed tooling drawings required to produce fasteners that meet ...

Nucor

Tooling Engineer

Saint Joe, IN · On-site

The Tool Design Engineer is responsible for designing and developing tooling, manufacturing processes, part progressions, and detailed tooling drawings required to produce fasteners that meet ...

TeamSoft

Equipment & Tooling Engineer

Warsaw, IN · On-site

$110K/yr

This role is focused on designing, launching, and improving manufacturing equipment and tooling within a General Assembly environment, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, throughput, and ...

Samtec

Manufacturing Tooling Engineer

Scottsburg, IN

Validate that Product Quality and Process Reliability are designed into all projects through ... Machine/Equipment/Tooling design and status. * Controls/Systems design and status. * Review project ...

Samtec

Manufacturing Tooling Engineer

Scottsburg, IN · On-site

Validate that Product Quality and Process Reliability are designed into all projects through ... Machine/Equipment/Tooling design and status. * Controls/Systems design and status. * Review project ...

samtec

Manufacturing Tooling Engineer

Scottsburg, IN · On-site

Validate that Product Quality and Process Reliability are designed into all projects through ... Machine/Equipment/Tooling design and status. * Controls/Systems design and status. * Review project ...

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All JobsTooling Designer JobsTooling Designer Jobs in Indiana

Tooling Designer information

See Indiana salary details

$22

$36

$48

How much do tooling designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for tooling designer in Indiana is $36.25, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.76 and $42.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Tooling Designers when working on new product launches?

Tooling Designers often face tight deadlines and changing specifications during new product launches. Coordinating with engineers, production teams, and suppliers can present challenges, especially when design modifications are required to address manufacturability or cost concerns. Balancing the need for innovative tooling solutions with practical production constraints is essential, and designers must ensure their designs are both efficient and reliable to avoid costly delays. Effective communication and adaptability are key for success in this fast-paced environment.

What are Tooling Designers?

Tooling Designers are professionals who create and develop the tools, dies, molds, jigs, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. They work closely with engineers and production teams to design equipment that ensures products are manufactured efficiently, safely, and to specification. Tooling Designers use CAD software and other technical tools to create designs, test prototypes, and refine tooling for mass production. Their expertise helps manufacturers reduce costs, improve product quality, and streamline operations.

What is the difference between Tooling Designer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectTooling DesignerManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a technical diploma or associate degree in manufacturing, mechanical design, or related fieldsBachelor's degree in manufacturing, industrial engineering, or mechanical engineering
Work EnvironmentDesigns and develops tooling for manufacturing processes, often working in CAD software and collaborating with production teamsOversees manufacturing processes, improves production efficiency, and ensures quality in factory settings
Industry UsageCommonly employed in automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods manufacturingUsed across various manufacturing sectors to optimize production systems

While both roles support manufacturing, Tooling Designers focus on creating the tools and dies needed for production, whereas Manufacturing Engineers optimize and manage the overall manufacturing processes. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job focus within manufacturing industries.

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 abilities in mechanical design, CAD modeling, and a solid understanding of manufacturing processes, usually supported by a degree in engineering or industrial design. Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or CATIA and familiarity with materials selection and simulation tools are commonly required. Attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills in this field. These skills and qualities are essential for developing efficient, high-quality tooling solutions that meet production requirements and ensure manufacturing success.
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Designer jobs in Indiana? For Tooling Designer jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tooling Designer jobs in Indiana look for? The top searched job categories for Tooling Designer jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Designer jobs in IN? For Tooling Designer jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Tooling Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Designer job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $75,406 per year, or $36.3 per hour.
Senior Tooling Engineer - Seats Production

Senior Tooling Engineer - Seats Production

CrossFire Group

Warsaw, IN • On-site

$114K - $172K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Senior Tooling Engineer – Seats Production

Position Summary
The Senior Tooling Engineer – Seats Production is responsible for the design, development, sourcing, validation, and launch support of production tooling used in automotive seat manufacturing operations. This role plays a critical part in supporting new product launches, process improvements, and capacity expansion initiatives by ensuring tooling solutions meet requirements for safety, quality, cost, ergonomics, and production efficiency.
Working cross-functionally with manufacturing, quality, product engineering, automation, and external suppliers, the Senior Tooling Engineer delivers robust, production-ready tooling and fixtures while driving continuous improvement throughout the tooling lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Tool Design & Development
  • Design and develop jigs, fixtures, gauges, and production tooling for seat manufacturing processes.
  • Ensure tooling designs meet product specifications, dimensional tolerances, and quality standards.
  • Collaborate with product and process engineering teams to support Design for Manufacturability (DFM) initiatives.
  • Evaluate tooling concepts and recommend solutions that improve manufacturability, efficiency, and reliability.
Tool Procurement & Supplier Management
  • Develop tooling specifications and manage requests for quotation (RFQs).
  • Identify, evaluate, and select tooling suppliers based on quality, cost, technical capability, and delivery performance.
  • Coordinate tool fabrication activities and monitor supplier progress to ensure program timing requirements are met.
  • Support supplier issue resolution and continuous improvement initiatives.
Tool Validation & Production Readiness
  • Plan and execute tooling trials and validation activities.
  • Verify tooling performance against design and production requirements.
  • Perform dimensional reviews and ensure compliance with engineering specifications.
  • Approve tooling for production use following successful validation and sign-off processes.
Maintenance & Troubleshooting
  • Develop and maintain preventive maintenance plans for production tooling.
  • Troubleshoot tooling-related issues impacting safety, quality, or productivity.
  • Implement corrective actions and drive root-cause analysis activities.
  • Manage tool life tracking and replacement planning to maintain operational efficiency.
Cost & Process Optimization
  • Analyze tooling expenditures and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
  • Optimize tooling designs to improve durability, reduce cycle times, and minimize downtime.
  • Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Drive process enhancements focused on quality, throughput, and operational performance.
New Program Launch Support
  • Participate in cross-functional program launch activities and readiness reviews.
  • Ensure tooling availability and readiness for prototype, pilot, and production builds.
  • Coordinate tooling modifications resulting from engineering changes.
  • Provide technical support during launch, ramp-up, and production stabilization activities.
Required Qualifications

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field with 12+ years of manufacturing experience; OR
  • Master's degree with 8+ years of relevant manufacturing experience; OR
  • Ph.D. with 5+ years of relevant manufacturing experience; OR
  • Equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Experience supporting automotive manufacturing environments.
  • Experience with Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and ERP systems.
  • Experience supporting Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing operations.
  • Automotive OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience preferred.
Technical Skills
  • Strong expertise in production tooling, fixtures, gauges, and manufacturing processes.
  • Knowledge of automotive seating systems, trim operations, and interior component manufacturing preferred.
  • Ability to interpret engineering drawings, GD&T, and manufacturing specifications.
  • Experience leading tooling validation and launch activities.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and production planning tools.
Leadership Competencies
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional projects and influence stakeholders.
  • Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis skills.
  • Excellent communication, project management, and organizational abilities.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Work Environment
  • Manufacturing plant environment with regular exposure to industrial equipment and machinery.
  • Exposure to noise, moving equipment, and standard manufacturing conditions.
  • Occasional travel to supplier locations and manufacturing facilities may be required.
  • Flexibility to support off-shift, weekend, or launch activities as business needs dictate.

Target Base Salary Range:
$114,000 – $172,000 annually

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