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Tooling 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 ...

Independent Stave Company

Tooling Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$750 - $1.5K/mo

The Tooling Specialist is responsible for improving cost visibility and performance across all tooling used in stave mills and cooperages. This role works closely with plant maintenance, engineering ...

ISCO Holding

Tooling Specialist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$750 - $1.5K/mo

The Tooling Specialist is responsible for improving cost visibility and performance across all tooling used in stave mills and cooperages. This role works closely with plant maintenance, engineering ...

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

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 ...

Metalsa

Tooling Supervisor

Elizabethtown, KY

As a Tooling Group Leader at Metalsa Elizabethtown, your pivotal responsibility involves overseeing our skilled toolmakers and ensuring the flawless functioning of our tool room. Leading a proficient ...

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 · 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:

Metalsa

Tooling Supervisor

Elizabethtown, KY · On-site

As a Tooling Group Leader at Metalsa Elizabethtown, your pivotal responsibility involves overseeing our skilled toolmakers and ensuring the flawless functioning of our tool room. Leading a proficient ...

Aerotek

Tooling Member

Georgetown, KY

$29 - $35/hr

Diagnose tooling issues, identify root causes, and implement effective corrective actions. * Perform welding repairs and modifications when needed. * Inspect finished tools and dies to ensure ...

Electromac

Tooling Technician

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

The Tooling Technician is responsible for ensuring tooling meets process expectations. The ideal candidate will have good manual dexterity, be detail-oriented and self-motivated, and thrive in a fast ...

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 ...

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All JobsTooling JobsTooling Jobs in Kentucky

Tooling information

See Kentucky salary details

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How much do tooling jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for tooling in Kentucky is $20.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $23.61 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs make $3,000 a day?

High-paying jobs that can earn $3,000 or more per day include specialized roles such as senior project managers, certain consulting positions, and experienced contractors in fields like construction or engineering. These roles often require advanced skills, certifications, or extensive experience, and may involve freelance or contract work with variable schedules.

What is a tooling job?

A tooling job involves designing, manufacturing, or maintaining tools, dies, and equipment used in manufacturing processes. Workers in this field often operate machinery, read technical drawings, and may require skills in machining, welding, or CAD software. The role is essential for producing parts and ensuring efficient production workflows.

What are tooling jobs?

Tooling jobs involve designing, creating, maintaining, and repairing the tools, dies, molds, jigs, fixtures, and other devices used in manufacturing processes. Professionals in this field ensure that production equipment operates efficiently and accurately, contributing to the quality and consistency of finished products. Tooling roles can include toolmakers, tool designers, and tooling engineers, all of whom work closely with production teams to optimize manufacturing operations and reduce downtime.

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 a solid background in mechanical engineering, precision machining, and tool design, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree or technical certification. Familiarity with CAD software, CNC machinery, and quality control systems is essential for designing and producing effective tooling solutions. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and collaboration skills help you excel in troubleshooting and optimizing tooling processes. These competencies ensure the efficient production of high-quality tools, supporting manufacturing productivity and minimizing downtime.

What is the difference between Tooling vs Machining?

AspectToolingMachining
Primary FocusDesign, fabrication, and maintenance of tools and equipment used in manufacturing processesCutting, shaping, and finishing materials using machines
Skills & CertificationsBlueprint reading, tool design, CNC programming, certifications in tooling or manufacturing technologyMachine operation, precision measurement, CNC machining, certifications in machining or manufacturing
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, tool rooms, workshopsMachine shops, manufacturing facilities, production lines

Tooling professionals focus on creating and maintaining tools that enable manufacturing, while machining specialists operate machines to shape materials. Both roles are essential in manufacturing, often working closely but with distinct responsibilities.

What jobs pay $700 a day?

In the tooling industry, skilled trades such as experienced toolmakers, CNC programmers, and specialized machinists can earn around $700 per day, especially with advanced certifications and extensive experience. These roles often require technical skills, familiarity with manufacturing tools, and the ability to work in high-precision environments, sometimes involving overtime or contract work to reach higher daily rates.

What jobs pay 4000 a week without a degree?

In the tooling industry, high-paying roles such as skilled machinists, CNC operators, or industrial maintenance technicians can earn around $4,000 weekly with experience and specialized skills. These jobs often require technical training, certifications, and hands-on expertise but do not necessarily require a college degree.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in tooling, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in tooling often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapid advancements in manufacturing technology, ensuring the precision and durability of tools, and managing tight production deadlines. Addressing these challenges involves continuous learning, collaborating closely with design and production teams, and adopting rigorous testing and maintenance protocols. Leveraging new software tools for design and simulation can also help streamline workflows and reduce errors, making it easier to meet quality and efficiency standards.
What are popular job titles related to Tooling jobs in Kentucky? For Tooling jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Tooling jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Tooling jobs in Kentucky are:
Tooling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Tooling job openings in Kentucky as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,510 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Tooling Engineer

The LaSalle Group

Stanford, KY • On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 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.

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