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Tooling Engineer Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Principal Manufacturing Engineer Full Time Technical Centennial, CO, US $145,000.00 To $175,000.00 ... Serve as the corporate technical representative with equipment OEMs, tooling vendors, automation ...

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · Hybrid

$90K - $128K/yr

Mold tooling, layup tooling, precision trimming and machining systems, part transfer/handling, verification tooling, etc. * Interpret engineering requirements and drive manufacturable designs, work ...

Composites Engineer

Loveland, CO · On-site

$90K - $128K/yr

Mold tooling, layup tooling, precision trimming and machining systems, part transfer/handling, verification tooling, etc. * Interpret engineering requirements and drive manufacturable designs, work ...

Manage tooling activities and engineering changes throughout the product lifecycle. * Create and ... update SolidWorks models and support tooling design changes. * Assist with Bills of Materials (BOMs ...

Manage tooling activities and engineering changes throughout the product lifecycle. * Create and ... update SolidWorks models and support tooling design changes. * Assist with Bills of Materials (BOMs ...

You'll work alongside engineering, production, quality, tooling, and customers to develop robust, repeatable molding processes that deliver exceptional results. What You'll Do: * Develop and validate ...

You'll work alongside engineering, production, quality, tooling, and customers to develop robust, repeatable molding processes that deliver exceptional results. What You'll Do: * Develop and validate ...

Product Design Engineer - Softgood

Boulder, CO · On-site

$135K - $163K/yr

Collaborate with Design Engineer to develop tooling and fixture design concepts. * Collaborate with Test Engineer to develop testing fixture. * Design and create tooling / fixture CAD. * Release CAD ...

IT Platform Engineer

Golden, CO · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

This is a hands-on engineering role with significant ownership. You'll work across platforms ... Maintaining runbooks + skill files, developing reusable tooling, and contributing to disaster ...

Showing results 41-60

Tooling Engineer information

See Colorado salary details

$56.8K

$115.7K

$171.9K

How much do tooling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for tooling engineer in Colorado is $115,654.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $87,300.00 and $129,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tooling engineer?

Tooling Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and maintain the tools, molds, dies, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. They work closely with engineering and production teams to ensure that tools are efficient, cost-effective, and meet product specifications. Tooling Engineers play a critical role in optimizing production quality and efficiency by selecting appropriate materials, overseeing tool fabrication, and troubleshooting issues related to tool performance.

What does a tooling engineer do?

A tooling engineer uses computer-aided (CAD) manufacturing to create and adjust tools or parts for vehicles, airplanes, heavy equipment, or any product that needs customized components. As a tooling engineer, your duties include drafting blueprints for designs crafting the necessary pieces. You also improve previous designs. You should have experience with metalworking and mechanics. Computer skills are just also important because tooling engineers build and troubleshoot designs with CAD software.

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

To thrive as a Tooling Engineer, you need strong knowledge of manufacturing processes, mechanical engineering principles, and experience with tooling design, typically supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Proficiency in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), familiarity with CAM systems, and understanding of industry standards are essential technical requirements. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help Tooling Engineers excel in cross-functional teams and address complex challenges. These skills ensure the efficient design, maintenance, and improvement of tooling systems critical to high-quality production and cost-effective manufacturing.

What are some common challenges tooling engineers face when working on new product launches?

Tooling Engineers often encounter tight timelines and evolving design specifications during new product launches. Coordinating with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure tools meet all requirements can be complex, especially when last-minute changes arise. Additionally, balancing cost efficiency with durability and precision in tool design is a frequent challenge. Effective communication and adaptability are key skills for overcoming these hurdles and ensuring a successful product launch.

What is the difference between Tooling Engineer vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectTooling EngineerManufacturing Engineer
Primary FocusDesign, develop, and maintain manufacturing tools and equipmentOptimize manufacturing processes and workflows
Skills & CertificationsCAD, machining, tooling design, certifications like CATIA or SolidWorksProcess improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, engineering degrees
Work EnvironmentMachine shops, manufacturing plants, R&D labsProduction floors, process planning areas, quality control
Industry UsageHeavy manufacturing, automotive, aerospaceElectronics, consumer goods, automotive

While both roles support manufacturing operations, Tooling Engineers focus on designing and maintaining the tools and equipment needed for production, whereas Manufacturing Engineers work on improving overall manufacturing processes. Both roles often collaborate closely to ensure efficient and high-quality production.

What are the most commonly searched types of Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What are popular job titles related to Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado?

For Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado look for?

The top searched job categories for Tooling Engineer jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Tooling Engineer jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Tooling Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Tooling Engineer jobs in CO?

For Tooling Engineer jobs in CO, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Tooling Engineer job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Full Time, and 43% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $115,654 per year, or $55.6 per hour.

Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Plastic Molding Technology LLC

Centennial, CO • On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Company Description:

Plastic Molding Technology (PMT) manufactures high precision plastic parts for automotive, telecommunications, medical device, renewable energy, and industrial customers. The primary manufacturing processes are injection molding and thermoforming. PMT has ~100 injection molding presses at its two primary manufacturing locations in El Paso, TX and Centennial, CO (a suburb of Denver). 

Why Join Us?

  • Competitive salary and benefits package
  • Opportunity to work in a dynamic and innovative manufacturing environment
  • Growth potential within the company

What you’ll do:

  • Serve as the principal technical authority for injection molding across all company facilities
  • Define, maintain, and evolve enterprise-wide standards, best practices, and procedures for injection molding execution
  • Provide expert technical guidance to the Director of Engineering, process engineers, manufacturing engineers, and leadership on complex, high-impact, or non-standard technical decisions
  • Lead the technical evaluation, quoting, and kickoff of all new injection molding tools, ensuring alignment with performance, quality, and long-term manufacturability requirements
  • Act as the primary technical interface with mold builders during tool design, review, and launch phases
  • Support new program launches by establishing robust process strategies and resolving tooling-related risks
  • Define technical specifications for injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, and automation, including development of RFQs and evaluation of vendor proposals
  • Collaborate with leadership and finance on capital planning, including equipment selection, replacement strategy, and expansion planning
  • Support capital projects through technical justification, vendor engagement, and execution oversight
  • Drive efforts to standardize molding systems and practices across sites to improve consistency, efficiency, scalability, and long-term maintainability
  • Identify opportunities to eliminate unnecessary engineering labor from quoting and execution workflows by implementing smarter systems, standards, and tools
  • Support development of training frameworks and technical documentation to reinforce standardized execution
  • Support capacity analysis, equipment sizing, and right-sizing of molding operations to meet current and future business needs
  • Provide technical input into plant layouts, equipment placement, and facility growth plans
  • Partner with operations and leadership to ensure manufacturing strategy aligns with business growth objectives
  • Serve as the corporate technical representative with equipment OEMs, tooling vendors, automation suppliers, and industry partners.
  • Support site teams as needed for complex process challenges, critical customer issues, or strategic initiatives.Stay current on industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in injection molding
  • Performs other duties as assigned

What we’re looking for:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline with a strong emphasis in plastics manufacturing. Advanced degree (Master’s) or equivalent combination of education and progressive industry experience demonstrating sustained technical leadership and authority
  • 15+ years of progressive experience in an injection molding manufacturing environment, with deep expertise in process engineering and/or tooling engineering
  • Demonstrated expertise in specifying injection molding equipment, auxiliary systems, and tooling, including development of technical requirements and evaluation of vendor proposals
  • Advanced proficiency in scientific injection molding principles and their practical application in production and tooling development
  • Proven experience with capacity planning, equipment sizing, and right-sizing manufacturing operations to support growth and efficiency
  • Experience leading or significantly contributing to capital projects, including technical justification, capital request development, and execution support
  • Strong business acumen, with the ability to align technical decisions with broader business objectives, cost considerations, and long-term strategy
  • Functional working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks sufficient to review layouts, tooling concepts, and equipment integration
  • Strong background in data-driven decision making, including use of process data, metrics, and analysis to guide technical direction
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) for technical analysis, documentation, and executive-level communication
  • Demonstrated ability to learn and effectively utilize new software tools and systems used by the organization
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage plant personnel, engineering teams, leadership, customers, and external vendors
  • Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving capabilities, particularly for complex, cross-site technical challenges
  • Exceptional time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities independently
  • Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and staying current with industry best practices and emerging technologies
  • High level of attention to detail combined with systems-level perspective
  • Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently


This position is on-site in Centennial, CO, with travel as needed to support strategic initiatives, major launches, and critical technical engagements.


Plastic Molding Technology does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies or third-party recruiters. Any resumes submitted to our employees or hiring managers without a formal, signed agreement in place with Human Resources will be considered property of Plastic Molding Technology. We will not be liable for any fees related to unsolicited submissions and will not recognize any claims to candidate ownership. A valid contract must be executed before any candidate submissions are accepted.