ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Tooling Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

The LaSalle Group

Tooling Engineer

Stanford, KY · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

This Tooling Engineer role offers strong exposure to advanced stamping troubleshooting, CAD-based tooling design, supplier coordination and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

The Senior Tooling Engineer interfaces with production line teams, tooling suppliers, 3rd Party Tool and Die Maintenance, and other cross functional teams to optimize tool and part performance. This ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY

The Senior Tooling Engineer interfaces with production line teams, tooling suppliers, 3rd Party Tool and Die Maintenance, and other cross functional teams to optimize tool and part performance. This ...

GE Appliances

Principal Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

GE Appliances is seeking a Principal Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. In this highly visible role, you'll help define and uphold company-wide ...

GE Appliances

Principal Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

GE Appliances is seeking a Principal Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. In this highly visible role, you'll help define and uphold company-wide ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

GE Appliances is seeking a Senior Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. This team owns and continuously evolves the engineering standards for ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

GE Appliances is seeking a Senior Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. This team owns and continuously evolves the engineering standards for ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY · On-site

$100K - $137K/yr

GE Appliances is seeking a Senior Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. This team owns and continuously evolves the engineering standards for ...

GE Appliances

Senior Tooling Engineer

Louisville, KY

$100K - $137K/yr

GE Appliances is seeking a Senior Tooling Engineer to join our Metal Stamping Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (AME) team. This team owns and continuously evolves the engineering standards for ...

Magna

Engineer, Tooling

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process expertise, we continue to bring lightweight and innovative products to market. Job Responsibilities:

Magna

Engineer, Tooling

Bowling Green, KY

Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process expertise, we continue to bring lightweight and innovative products to market. Job Responsibilities:

ISCO Holding

Tooling Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$750 - $1.5K/mo

This role works closely with plant maintenance, engineering, and procurement teams to document tooling specifications, benchmark tool life and cost, and identify opportunities to reduce spend and ...

Metalsa

Tooling Supervisor

Elizabethtown, KY

As a Tooling Group Leader at Metalsa Elizabethtown, your pivotal responsibility involves overseeing ... Associate degree in engineering or a related field with 7 years of experience as a tool maker or ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTooling Engineer JobsTooling Engineer Jobs in Kentucky

Tooling Engineer information

See Kentucky salary details

$46.9K

$95.5K

$142K

How much do tooling engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for tooling engineer in Kentucky is $95,527.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,100.00 and $106,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 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.

More about Tooling Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky? The most popular types of Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky are:
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky? For Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Tooling Engineer jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Tooling Engineer jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Tooling Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Tooling Engineer jobs in KY? For Tooling Engineer jobs in KY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Tooling Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Engineer job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,527 per year, or $45.9 per hour.

Tooling Engineer

The LaSalle Group

Stanford, KY • On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

LaSalle Network is hiring for a Tooling Engineer to join a well-established manufacturing organization specializing in precision metal stamping and tool & die operations. This is a great opportunity for a hands-on engineering professional who wants to serve as the company's go-to expert in tooling design, die maintenance and pre-production launch support.
This Tooling Engineer role offers strong exposure to advanced stamping troubleshooting, CAD-based tooling design, supplier coordination and cross-functional collaboration with engineering, quality and production teams. If you have deep stamping and tool & die expertise and enjoy leading projects from concept through PPAP, this could be a great next step in your career.
Responsibilities
  • Lead tool and die maintenance strategies, evaluating die conditions and driving corrective actions to maximize tool life
  • Diagnose and resolve complex stamping issues such as formability, burrs, dimensional variation and galling
  • Create, modify and review 3D models, die designs and engineering drawings for new tooling and engineering changes
  • Conduct tooling feasibility reviews for new parts, including material selection, forming analysis and die process planning
  • Lead tooling-related activities for new part launches from concept through PPAP
  • Develop and manage tooling timelines, milestone tracking and risk mitigation plans
  • Collaborate with engineering, quality and production teams to ensure manufacturability
  • Validate tooling performance through tryouts, capability studies and dimensional verification
  • Serve as the primary technical liaison with external tool shops and die builders
  • Review supplier designs, progress reports and tryout results to ensure specifications and deadlines are met
  • Approve tooling and confirm readiness for production launch
  • Support the sales team with technical input for new RFQs, including tooling cost estimates and process feasibility
  • Participate in customer meetings to explain tooling concepts and stamping process capabilities
  • Lead initiatives to improve die performance, reduce downtime and enhance stamping quality
  • Support cost-reduction activities through tooling optimization and process improvements

What's Needed?
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
  • 5+ years of experience in metal stamping, tool & die or tooling engineering
  • Proficiency in CAD software
  • Strong understanding of stamping processes, die construction, GD&T and material behavior
  • Proven ability to troubleshoot complex tooling and stamping issues
  • Experience coordinating tooling suppliers and managing pre-production timelines preferred
  • Strong project management skills
  • Japanese language proficiency (read, write and speak) required, along with familiarity with Japanese business customs, due to close collaboration with Japanese equipment and process suppliers
  • Ability to understand JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) requirements for new product decisions

What's In It for Me?
  • Exposure to end-to-end tooling design, supplier management and production launch processes
  • Collaborative work environment across engineering, quality and production teams
  • Direct involvement in customer-facing technical discussions and RFQ support
  • Opportunity to work with global suppliers, including direct collaboration with partners in Japan

Key Details
  • Compensation: $70,000-$80,000
  • Benefits: Medical, 401(k), Vacation, Personal/Sick Time
  • Location: Stanford, KY
  • Work Model: In-office

If you're a tooling engineering expert looking to lead high-impact stamping and die programs with global supplier exposure, apply today!
Gavin Sullivan
LaSalle Network
#LI-GS1
LNESC
LaSalle Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer m/f/d/v.
LaSalle Network is the leading provider of direct hire and temporary staffing services. For over two decades, LaSalle has helped organizations hire faster and connect top talent with opportunities, from entry-level positions to the C-suite. With units specializing in Accounting and Finance, Administrative, Engineering, Marketing, Technology, Supply Chain, Revenue Cycle, Call Center, Human Resources and Executive Search, LaSalle offers staffing and recruiting solutions to companies of all sizes and across all industries.

Apply