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Tooling Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

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

$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

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 ...

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

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

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:

Electromac Group

Tooling Technician

Bowling Green, KY · On-site

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

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 ...

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

$13

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$29

How much do tooling jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 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 is tooling?

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 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 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.

Do toolmakers make good money?

Toolmakers typically earn competitive wages that vary by experience, location, and industry. Skilled toolmakers with certifications and proficiency in CAD and machining often have higher earning potential, with many earning above average salaries for manufacturing trades.

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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 6% 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 Specialist

Independent Stave Company

Louisville, KY • On-site

$750 - $1.5K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Independent Stave Company rating

5.3

Company rating: 5.3 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Position Summary:
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, and procurement teams to document tooling specifications, benchmark tool life and cost, and identify opportunities to reduce spend and improve uptime. This is a strategic, technical sourcing role that does not involve issuing POs.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Map all tooling types, vendors, and specifications used across company manufacturing locations.
  • Benchmark tooling usage and performance metrics across facilities (e.g., cost-per-cut, breakage rate).
  • Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, tooling redesign, or shared inventory strategies.
  • Support trials of alternative tooling or supplier options and document outcomes.
  • Partner with plant teams to track inventory, lead times, and cost variations.
  • Develop tooling cost dashboards and reports to support decision-making and strategic reviews.
  • Coordinate with the Procurement Analyst to include tooling in spend and cost reduction reports.

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years' experience in a manufacturing environment with exposure to tooling, maintenance, or sourcing.
  • Strong technical aptitude: ability to read specifications and engage with maintenance teams.
  • Organized, self-directed, and capable of managing cross-site collaboration.
  • Skilled in Excel and capable of building simple cost analysis tools.
  • Willingness to travel with overnight stays required to visit internal manufacturing sites across the company

Employee Benefits
Independent Stave Company offers competitive compensation and benefits to employees at each of our facilities. Domestic benefits include:
  • Competitive Pay & Bonuses; Semi-Monthly
  • Medical Insurance (Deductible: $750 for single, $1500 for family)
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Short-Term Disability
  • Long-Term Disability
  • Paid Vacation
  • Continuing Education
  • 401(k)- 50% match of eligible contribution

*Some benefits are only available for full-time employees or after designated waiting periods.
We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform substance abuse testing and background verification checks as permitted by state law.
Independent Stave Company is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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