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Tooling Project Manager Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

2nd Shift Machining Team Leader

Louisville, KY · On-site

$29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Launch new products using project management tools and identify appropriate tooling, fixtures, and equipment for production * Operate CNC and machining equipment and train associates on machining ...

2nd Shift Machining Team Leader

Louisville, KY

$29/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Launch new products using project management tools and identify appropriate tooling, fixtures, and equipment for production * Operate CNC and machining equipment and train associates on machining ...

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Electrical Estimator

Louisville, KY · On-site

$70K - $100K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collect and analyze all project costs, including material, labor, equipment, and tooling to ensure ... Electrical Experience in Construction Management, Architecture, engineering, or equivalent trade ...

Sustainability and Energy Manager

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

$111K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Through our robust product engineering, outstanding tooling capabilities and diverse process ... Responsible for supervising project expenses and ensuring timely delivery of project objectives.

Showing results 41-60

Tooling Project Manager information

See Kentucky salary details

$73.8K

$88.2K

$116.4K

How much do tooling project manager jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for tooling project manager in Kentucky is $88,182.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $80,300.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a tooling project manager do?

A Tooling Project Manager oversees the planning, development, and implementation of tools and equipment used in manufacturing or production processes. They coordinate with engineering, procurement, and manufacturing teams to ensure tooling projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality standards. Their responsibilities often include managing project timelines, budgets, resources, and resolving any technical or logistical challenges that arise during the tooling lifecycle. Effective communication and strong project management skills are essential for success in this role.

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

To thrive as a Tooling Project Manager, you need expertise in project management, manufacturing processes, and tooling design, often supported by a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools like MS Project or Jira, and relevant quality standards or certifications (such as PMP or Six Sigma) is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities help in coordinating cross-functional teams and managing client expectations. These skills ensure successful project delivery, cost control, and high-quality tooling outcomes in a competitive manufacturing environment.

How does a tooling project manager typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a project lifecycle?

As a Tooling Project Manager, you will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and quality assurance teams to ensure that tooling projects meet technical specifications, deadlines, and budget constraints. Regular coordination meetings, progress updates, and problem-solving sessions are common, as is facilitating clear communication between all stakeholders. You'll often act as the bridge between design engineers who specify requirements and the manufacturing teams who use the tools, ensuring alignment and quickly addressing any issues that arise. Effective collaboration and stakeholder management are key to project success in this role.

What is the difference between Tooling Project Manager vs Manufacturing Engineer?

AspectTooling Project ManagerManufacturing Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, PMP or similar certifications often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering
Work EnvironmentProject-based, coordinating tooling development and installationProduction floor, process optimization, and equipment design
Industry UsageManufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and tooling companiesManufacturing plants, product development, and process improvement

The Tooling Project Manager focuses on overseeing the planning, execution, and completion of tooling projects, ensuring timely delivery and quality. In contrast, a Manufacturing Engineer concentrates on designing and improving manufacturing processes and equipment. Both roles require engineering backgrounds but differ in scope and daily responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Tooling Project Manager jobs in Kentucky?

For Tooling Project Manager jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Tooling Project Manager jobs?

Cities in Kentucky with the most Tooling Project Manager job openings:

Infographic showing various Tooling Project Manager job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,182 per year, or $42.4 per hour.

Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining-Louisville,Kentucky

BAE Systems

Louisville, KY • On-site

$107K - $182K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

New


BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 150 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

Job Description
BAE Systems, a leading defense contractor and Fortune 500 Company, is seeking a Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining to join our Naval weapon systems team in Louisville, Kentucky. At BAE Systems, we value our workforce and their well-being. We prioritize safety, offer generous benefits, and promote work life balance, like a 9/80 schedule with every other Friday off.
Our ideal candidate will challenge our current operations and focus on improving all facets of our machining processes across the site. The Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining will be one of the leaders in machining innovation across the Production Value Stream and will be at the forefront of problem solving and resolution to technical production barriers. He/She will be responsible for ensuring technical compliance to manufacturing processes, policies, and procedures while providing innovative solutions to our cross-functional teams to improve customer delivery, cost and schedule.
As a Principal Manufacturing Engineer - Machining, you will...
  • Provide strategic technical direction and guidance on complex projects, influencing technical decisions and ensuring alignment with business goals
  • Work with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, and production, to ensure seamless integration of machining processes
  • Develop and optimize new machining processes, improve existing ones, and create necessary tooling and fixtures to improve efficiency, quality, and safety
  • Identify new or additional equipment needs related to existing or new product manufacture
  • Evaluate new or used equipment to determine benefits and return on investment, ability to maintain the physical and dimensional requirements of components, assemblies and products, and ability to meet safety and ergonomic requirements
  • Prepare BOE's and appropriations for approvals and administrator spending of budgeted funding for tooling, fixtures, and equipment
  • Monitor machine performances and work with Maintenance & Operations to coordinate preventative maintenance schedules and tooling & equipment calibration
  • Identifying and resolving complex technical issues related to machining processes, equipment and product quality
  • Provide technical support to machinists & shop personnel, Operations and Scheduling
  • Work with Quality Engineering to implement and maintain quality control measures throughout the machining process to include monitoring, periodic and final inspections
  • Create and maintain documentation for routers & work instructions, tooling & equipment specifications, and engineering changes
  • Create and maintain adequate documentation for analysis research, and historical records related to machining processes
  • Collaborate with Design, Quality and Operations to resolve manufacturing issues
  • Support training and development of shop and floor personnel in machining best practices

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Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • B.S. degree in Manufacturing, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline or overall equivalent experience
  • Proficiency in using Siemens NX software for design & modeling of fixtures, components & parts, and connected to machine programming (highly preferred).
  • Experience with Vericut or other machining simulation software
  • Strong knowledge of CNC machining (Lathes, Turning, Milling, Hobbing, Routers, Cutters, Grinding, Drilling, EDM, Machine Centers), manual machining, and related equipment, tooling & fixturing
  • Strong familiarity with GD&T, blueprint reading, and machine tolerances
  • Experience with MRP type systems and shop floor data collection
  • Knowledge of materials and metallurgy relevant to maching operations
  • Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences, both verbally and in writing
  • Knowledge of quality control procedures, inspection requirements, and relevant industry standards
  • Ability to plan, execute, and manage complex projects, ensuring they are completed successfully on-time and with high-quality results
  • Strong problem-solving, priority setting, team engagement, communication and project management skills
  • Proficiency of MS Office Suite products (SharePoint, Outlook, Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.)

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Defense Contracting Experience
  • 7+ years in a machine and manufacturing operation/environment
  • Excellent time management, interpersonal and leadership skills
  • Experience with the programming of multiple head configurations
  • Experience with the programming of complex 3,4,5 axis mills, and multi-axis vertical & horizontal lathes
  • Directing the creation of ROM's, BOE and quoting of equipment & tooling
  • Professional Certifications (PMP, CQE, Six Sigma, ISO, Problem Solving, etc.).
  • Program/Project Management (PMP highly favored)
  • Experience in utilizing Lean manufacturing methods to reduce costs & improve quality
  • Experience in value stream mapping, Visio, and the layout of machining operations

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $107359 - $182510
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.
About BAE Systems Platforms & Services
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
The Platforms & Services (P&S) sector under BAE Systems, Inc does the big stuff: the armored combat vehicles, naval guns, missile launchers, and ship repair...just to name a few. Our employees take pride in the work they do and why they do it. They are on the front lines every day, building our products to protect the lives of those who serve. We may be biased, but we think P&S does some of the coolest work around, and we think you will too.

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