Tooling Design Engineer

Actalent; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 56,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability coverage

HSA benefits

Time Off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Tooling Design Engineer for a contract role based in Lansing, MI. The role focuses on designing tools, gauges, and production aids, with heavy CAD work and collaboration on the production floor. 75–80% desk-based design, 20% floor interaction.

Key activities include reviewing specifications, applying GD&T, and supporting tooling for CNC, turning, and additive manufacturing. The position requires extensive tooling design experience and Lean/Kaizen background.

Qualifications

• Design and develop new tools, tooling, gauging, and tooling aids to support production operations.
• Create designs and drawings using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.
• Analyze tooling performance and adjust designs to improve efficiency.
• Design tooling for CNC machining, turning, and additive manufacturing methods.
• Review technical manufacturing specifications to determine tooling requirements.
• Design for ergonomics when appropriate.
• Collaborate with team members to develop design solutions for production support.
• Evaluate tooling/gauge/aid performance to assess usability.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new tools, tooling, gauging, and other tooling aids to support production operations.
• Create designs and drawings using CAD software.
• Analyze tooling performance and adjust designs to improve efficiency.
• Design tooling for CNC machining, turning, and additive manufacturing methods.
• Review manufacturing specifications to determine tooling requirements.
• Ensure ergonomics considerations where applicable.
• Collaborate with team to develop design solutions for production support.
• Evaluate tooling performance to assess usability.
• Investigate and troubleshoot process issues.
• Provide technical support to operations.
• Coordinate with external engineering entities when needed.

Skills

Tooling design in CAD software

Design reviews

GD&T

Additive manufacturing

Composite materials knowledge

Kaizen and continuous improvement

Lean manufacturing

Ergonomics awareness

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

NX

CAD software

TeamCenter PLM

CMM programming

Job description

Job Title: Tooling Design EngineerJob Description

The tooling design engineer will support aftermarket operations, focusing on designing and developing tools, gauges, and tooling production aids to enhance new and existing production processes. This role involves interpreting part prints, understanding process requirements, and creating tools to facilitate production. Approximately 75-80% of the role involves desk-based design work, while the remaining 20% requires interaction with engineers on the production floor.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop new tools, tooling, gauging, and other tooling aids to support production operations.

• Create designs and drawings using Computer Aided Design (CAD) software.

• Analyze tooling performance and adjust designs to improve efficiency.

• Design tooling for CNC machining, turning, and additive manufacturing methods.

• Review technical manufacturing specifications to determine tooling requirements.

• Design for ergonomics when appropriate.

• Collaborate with team members to develop design solutions for production support.

• Evaluate tooling/gauge/aid performance to assess usability.

• Investigate and troubleshoot process issues.

• Provide technical support to operations.

• Consult with outside engineering entities when required to resolve issues.

• Coordinate multiple design projects.

• Provide technical support and guidance to internal and external vendors during tooling fabrication.

• Analyze process data in support of continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• 10 years experience designing tooling in a CAD software.

• Experience designing in NX.

• Experience conducting design reviews.

• GD&T experience.

• Additive manufacturing.

• Composite material knowledge.

• Kaizen and continuous improvement.

• Lean manufacturing principles.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Degree.

• TeamCenter PLM experience.

• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles.

• Experience with Kaizen events or continuous improvement programs like 6S.

• Experience with composite materials.

• Aerospace experience.

• CMM programming.

• CNC experience.

• GD&T certification.

Work Environment

This role operates within a large organization with 200,000 employees across 70 countries, including multiple facilities in Lansing and Holt. Work hours are from 7-8 AM, Monday to Friday, for a total of 45 hours per week. Employees receive 12 days off for holidays, and the contract runs through December 2027 with potential annual extensions. The work environment involves both desk-based design and collaboration on the production floor.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lansing, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.87 - $62.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Lansing, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 16, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Lansing,MI.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.