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Tooling Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... designs, ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant standards. * 5. Oversee the fabrication and assembly of tooling and fixtures, working with external vendors or in-house teams to ensure timely ...

Check and approve completed designs by other tooling designers or engineers. * Works closely with internal toolshop in diagnosing tooling issues when needed. * Assists the local toolshop in ordering ...

Optimize existing tooling designs for scrap reduction, improved cycle times, and machineability * Collaborate with the CNC department to ensure tooling is designed for manufacturing * Support design ...

JOB SUMMARY The Tooling Engineer designs foundry patterns, core boxes, and gate / riser systems. He / she works with and through the Production Design Team (PDT) to understand customer requirements ...

As a Tooling Engineer based in the United States, you will play a critical role in designing, developing, and maintaining the tools and equipment essential for manufacturing processes. Your expertise ...

The Tooling Engineer designs, develops, and maintains specialized tools, dies, molds, and fixtures to optimize manufacturing production efficiency and quality. This role will create CAD models ...

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Tooling Designer information

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$23

$38

$51

How much do tooling designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for tooling designer 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 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.
More about Tooling Designer jobs
What states have the most Tooling Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Tooling Designer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Designer jobs? For Tooling Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Tooling Designer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,245 per year, or $38.1 per hour.
Tooling Engineer II

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago


Job description

INTRODUCTION:

Visium Resources has been asked to identify qualified candidates for this Permanent Full-Time Tooling Engineer II position located onsite in Middletown, CT.  
 
JOB SUMMARY:

The Tooling Engineer II is a mid-level engineering role responsible for designing, developing, maintaining, and improving tooling and fixtures used in the manufacturing and assembly of legacy fuzing products. This position requires a balance of sustaining existing tooling, troubleshooting issues, and designing new tools to support production efficiency and quality. The Tooling Engineer II collaborates with cross-functional teams, including Manufacturing, Quality, and Test Engineering, to ensure tools meet production requirements and comply with industry standards.
 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Tooling Design and Development:
 
  • Design and develop tooling, and fixtures. using SolidWorks, ensuring compatibility with legacy fuzing product manufacturing processes.  
  • Create detailed 2D and 3D drawings, incorporating GD&T principles to ensure precision and manufacturability.  
  • Develop new tooling solutions to address production challenges, improve efficiency, or support new product introductions as needed.
  • Provide estimates for new tooling designs or modifications to existing tooling.
  • Reverse engineer existing tooling where a drawing might not exist or is a hand drawn 2D drawing.
 
Tooling Maintenance and Improvement:
 
  • Populate our tooling preventative maintenance database with existing tooling and determine the maintenance criteria for each tool.  Execute the tool maintenance as defined in the database and record results.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot existing tooling to ensure operational reliability and minimize downtime.  
  • Analyze tooling performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance durability, precision, and production efficiency.  
  • Modify or repair tools and fixtures to accommodate design changes or resolve manufacturing issues.  
 
Collaboration and Support:
 
  • Work closely with Manufacturing, Quality, and Test Engineering teams to ensure tooling meets production and quality requirements.  
  • Provide technical support, assisting with tooling setup, operator training, and issue resolution.  
  • Participate in design reviews, providing input on tooling feasibility and manufacturability.  
 
Documentation and Compliance:
 
  • Create and maintain detailed documentation, including tooling designs, specifications, and work instructions, using Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).  
  • Ensure all tooling designs comply with GD&T standards and industry regulations.  
  • Support compliance with safety, quality, and security protocols, including maintaining eligibility for a Secret security clearance.   
 
Project Management:  
 
  • Manage small to medium tooling projects, including scoping, scheduling, and coordinating with vendors or internal machine shops for tool fabrication.  
  • Track project progress and report updates to management, ensuring timely delivery within budget constraints.  
 
Continuous Improvement:  
 
  • Identify opportunities to optimize tooling processes, reduce costs, and improve production throughput.  
  • Stay current with industry trends, materials, and technologies to recommend innovative tooling solutions.  
 
Career Path Context: 

The Tooling Engineer II is a mid-level position within the engineering hierarchy (Tooling Engineer I, II, III, Senior Tooling Engineer, Staff Tooling Engineer). This role builds on foundational skills from Tooling Engineer I, with increased responsibility for independent design work, troubleshooting, and project management. The Tooling Engineer II is expected to demonstrate growing technical expertise and leadership, with the potential to advance to Tooling Engineer III or Senior Tooling Engineer roles by taking on more complex projects and mentoring junior engineers.
 
 
 

QUALIFICATIONS: 
 
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.  
  • Experience: 2-5 years of experience in tooling design, manufacturing engineering, or a related role, preferably in an assembly or production environment.  
  • Demonstrated experience with SolidWorks for 3D modeling and 2D drawing creation. Familiarity with Product Document Management (PDM) software a plus. 
  • Proficiency in applying GD&T principles to tooling designs and drawings.  
  • Hands-on experience supporting manufacturing operations, preferably with established products or precision components.  

Skills and Abilities:  
 
  • Strong proficiency in SolidWorks for designing tools, and fixtures. 
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for documentation and reporting.  
  • In-depth understanding of GD&T standards and their application in tooling design.
  • Ability to learn local software packages and databases   
  • Ability to troubleshoot and resolve tooling-related issues.  
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams.  
  • Detail-oriented with excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.  
 
Preferred:  
 
  • Experience in a manufacturing environment for fuzing products, aerospace, or defense industries.  
  • Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.  
  • Knowledge of CNC machining, additive manufacturing, or other fabrication processes.  
  
_____________________________________________________________________________________ 

Visium Resources is an award-winning employment firm with a mission to match talented individuals with highly successful organizations. At Visium, our company's success is based on your success. When you work with us, you are never 'just a number'. You are our most important asset. Here, you will know us by name through our regular visits to client sites and even occasional luncheons. We will always be there when you need assistance and will always go the extra mile to ensure that you are as successful as possible. Whether you're looking for contract, contract-to-hire or permanent opportunities, we firmly believe there is no employment agency that will work harder for you than Visium.
Visium Resources is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications, merit and business need.
Education:BS/BA DegreeEmployment Type: FULL_TIME