ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Tooling Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Vast

Tooling Engineer

Long Beach, CA

$112K - $159K/yr

Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production. * Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft ...

Belcan

Tooling Engineer

Sylmar, CA · On-site

$100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Tooling Engineer Pay Rate: $100, 000 /annually + Bonus Location: Sylmar, CA Area Code: 818, 747 Zip ... Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality to resolve issues, share resources, and ...

Belcan

Tooling Engineer

Lake View Terrace, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Tooling Engineer Pay Rate: $100, 000 /annually + Bonus Location: Sylmar, CA Area Code: 818, 747 Zip ... Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality to resolve issues, share resources, and ...

Vast

Tooling Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$162K - $230K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production. * Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft ...

Socket.dev

Senior Tooling Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$140 - $230/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Bachelor's in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field * 5+ years of tooling design and development experiencePreferred: new product introduction / pilot / production ...

New

Anduril Industries

Tooling Engineer, Sentry

Irvine, CA · On-site

Partner with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, PMO, Quality, and Test Engineering to ensure tooling feasibility, readiness, and production line alignment. * Apply DFM/DFA, GD&T, and ...

ANDURIL INDUSTRIES

Tooling Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$129K - $171K/yr

ABOUT THE JOB As a Tooling and Equipment Design Engineer, you will be developing tooling, equipment ... Drive collaboration with manufacturing technology, product design, manufacturing engineering ...

CelLink Corporation

Tooling Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

In this role, you will work closely with Product Design, Process Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to develop practical tooling and fixture solutions that enable efficient, repeatable, and ...

CelLink Corp

Tooling Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

In this role, you will work closely with Product Design, Process Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to develop practical tooling and fixture solutions that enable efficient, repeatable, and ...

CelLink Corporation

Tooling Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

In this role, you will work closely with Product Design, Process Engineering, and Manufacturing teams to develop practical tooling and fixture solutions that enable efficient, repeatable, and ...

Anduril Industries

Tooling Engineer

Santa Ana, CA

ABOUT THE JOB As a Tooling and Equipment Design Engineer, you will be developing tooling, equipment ... Drive collaboration with manufacturing technology, product design, manufacturing engineering ...

K2 Space

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

The Role You will own the success of custom tooling and structures that will be key to our ... Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or other relevant engineering discipline * Experience ...

Mosaic.tech

Tooling Engineer

Santa Ana, CA · On-site

$129 - $171/hr

ABOUT THE JOB As a Tooling and Equipment Design Engineer, you will be developing tooling, equipment ... Drive collaboration with manufacturing technology, product design, manufacturing engineering ...

New

Hermeus

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$138K - $187K/yr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate across engineering disciplines and external vendors to deliver rapid, high-precision prototype tooling solutions. * Leverage advanced materials and manufacturing methods, including ...

Hermeus Corporation

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$138.55 - $187.45/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate across engineering disciplines and external vendors to deliver rapid, high-precision prototype tooling solutions. * Leverage advanced materials and manufacturing methods, including ...

New

Karman Industries

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110 - $160/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You will drive tooling design from concept through structural analysis, fabrication coordination ... Partner with mechanical, turbomachinery, and manufacturing engineering to build DFM/DFA, GD&T, and ...

New

General Matter

Tooling Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $175K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

You will collaborate with engineering and production teams to creates jigs, fixtures, and assembly aids, from rapid prototyping to sophisticated tooling. If you seek high-impact and are excited by ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

All JobsTooling Engineering JobsTooling Engineering Jobs in California

Tooling Engineering information

What is tooling engineering?

Tooling engineering is a specialized field focused on designing, developing, and maintaining tools, dies, molds, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes. Tooling engineers ensure that production tools are efficient, precise, and durable to support high-quality and cost-effective manufacturing. They work closely with design, production, and quality teams to optimize tool performance and troubleshoot any issues that arise during the production process.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tooling engineer?

To thrive as a Tooling Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering, CAD design, and manufacturing processes, often supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with software like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and relevant manufacturing systems, as well as certifications in areas like GD&T or Six Sigma, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and resolve production challenges. These skills are crucial for designing efficient, cost-effective tooling solutions that ensure product quality and seamless manufacturing operations.

What are some common challenges faced by tooling engineers when introducing new tooling into manufacturing processes?

Tooling Engineers often encounter challenges such as ensuring that new tooling designs meet both production efficiency and product quality standards, coordinating with cross-functional teams to integrate tooling with existing equipment, and managing tight project timelines. Additionally, troubleshooting unexpected issues during initial production runs and balancing cost constraints with technical requirements are frequent hurdles. Successful Tooling Engineers proactively communicate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to address these challenges and ensure a smooth transition from design to full-scale production.

What is the difference between Tooling Engineering vs Manufacturing Engineering?

AspectTooling EngineeringManufacturing Engineering
Primary FocusDesign, development, and maintenance of tooling and fixtures used in manufacturing processesPlanning, designing, and optimizing overall manufacturing processes and production workflows
Skills & CertificationsCAD/CAM, tooling design, machining, certifications like CATIA or SolidWorksProcess improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, manufacturing systems
Work EnvironmentMachine shops, manufacturing plants, tooling design labsProduction floors, plant operations, process development centers
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, consumer electronicsAutomotive, industrial equipment, consumer goods

Tooling Engineering primarily focuses on creating and maintaining the tools and fixtures needed for manufacturing, while Manufacturing Engineering oversees the entire production process. Both roles are essential in manufacturing industries and often collaborate to ensure efficient production and high-quality output.

How much do tooling engineers make in the US?

Tooling engineers in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior tooling engineers or those with specialized skills can earn over $100,000 annually. Compensation often includes benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

What does a tooling engineering do?

A tooling engineer designs, develops, and maintains tools, dies, and fixtures used in manufacturing processes to ensure efficient production and high-quality output. They analyze product specifications, select appropriate materials, and collaborate with production teams, often using CAD software and precision measurement tools. Their work helps optimize manufacturing operations and reduce costs.
Tooling Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution.

Tooling Engineer

Vast

Long Beach, CA

$112K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Vast has multiple Tooling Engineer openings, reporting to the Senior Manager, Tooling, to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.

This will be a full-time, exempt position located in our Long Beach location. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Own the design, activation, and implementation, and support fabrication, of fixtures and tooling required for Haven-1 assembly, lifting, and handling.
  • Work with Integration and Manufacturing to define vehicle integration flow, manufacturing process, concepts and tooling interfaces.
  • Collaborate with vehicle engineering and production to define fixture and tooling specifications, qualification plans, and introduce to production.
  • Perform mechanical analysis for spacecraft fixtures.
  • Develop operation and maintenance plans for all test fixtures and tooling. Assist the facilities manager(s) in all aspects of project implementation as needed
  • Manage schedule on assigned projects including critical next steps, deadlines, and outcome.
  • Manage vendor relationships and coordinate meetings to identify new technologies and how they can be applied to Vast's cutting edge applications.
  • Develop, test, and implement tool improvements to yield time savings or tolerance improvements.
  • Coordinate tooling modifications related to part, production, or other changes.
  • Work closely with engineering stakeholders and technicians to solve production-related issues. 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, or other engineering discipline.
  • Experience with GD&T.
  • 5+ years of experience in aerospace or automotive tooling.
  • 5+ years of experience in NX or other 3D CAD packages.
  • Hands-on experience with handling, lifting, or building large, complex assemblies.
  • Knowledge of project planning and execution practices, including logic-linked schedule management.

Preferred Skills & Experience:

  • Experience with work orders and assembly instructions.
  • Design of pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic motion systems.
  • Critical lifting and break overs fixtures.
  • Integration tooling design.
  • A passion for hardware development, including working in a fast-paced environment and hands-on design and development.
  • Strong communication skills.

Additional Requirements:

  • Willingness to work evenings and/or weekends to support critical mission milestones
  • Ability to lift up to 25 lbs unassisted

Pay Range: 

  • Tooling Engineer II $112,340 - $159,468
  • Senior Tooling Engineer $137,760 - $195,552
  • Staff Tooling Engineer $162,360 - $230,472

Apply