Tooling Engineer – Kentwood Area

The Pivot Group Careers; Kentwood (MI); On-site; USD 71,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pivot Group Network is seeking a Tooling Engineer to support Kentwood-area manufacturers. You will review tool designs, coordinate builds, track costs, and run trials to improve tooling for production lines.

Qualifications include a mechanical/ manufacturing engineering degree, CAD proficiency (SolidWorks/AutoCAD), and hands-on fixture design experience. Lean training is a plus. Authorized to work in the U.S. without visa sponsorship.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering or equivalent experience.
• Hands-on experience with fixture and gauge design.
• Proficiency in CAD software for tool and part modeling.
• Knowledge of machining processes and tool materials.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience supporting active production lines.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement training.

Responsibilities

• Review tool designs and drawings for accuracy and manufacturability.
• Coordinate tool builds and repairs with outside shops.
• Track tooling costs, lead times, and maintenance schedules.
• Run trials on new tools and document results.
• Update tooling drawings and records after changes.
• Support production teams with tooling setup and adjustments.
• Design and build fixtures, jigs, and gauges for production lines.
• Troubleshoot tooling problems during production runs.

Skills

Reading drawings

GD&T understanding

Production line experience

Six Sigma knowledge

Root cause analysis

Education

Bachelor degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Python

C# programming

Tool materials

Job description

Job Description:

Tooling Engineer | Kentwood, MI

Salary Range: $71,000 – $110,000 depending on experience

Are you a forward-thinking professional with a passion for designing and improving tooling for manufacturing processes? The Pivot Group Network, a Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is committed to fostering meaningful relationships in the manufacturing community. We partner with companies in the Kentwood area seeking skilled Tooling Engineers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across Michigan’s manufacturing regions. Our partner companies may or may not have an immediate opening for this exact role today, but we actively look for skilled professionals in the regions where they operate. If there is alignment now or in the near future, we reach out.

This posting covers Tooling Engineer opportunities with manufacturers based in and around Kentwood in Kent County, within about 30 minutes of the city, including Lowell and Ada.

The Opportunity

We partner with organizations in the Kentwood area that seek Tooling Engineers. These companies are committed to building strong teams and look for professionals who can lead initiatives effectively. By connecting with The Pivot Group Network, you position yourself for roles that match your background and aspirations.

Usual Responsibilities

• Review tool designs and drawings for accuracy and manufacturability.
• Coordinate tool builds and repairs with outside shops.
• Track tooling costs, lead times, and maintenance schedules.
• Run trials on new tools and document results.
• Update tooling drawings and records after changes.
• Support production teams with tooling setup and adjustments.
• Design and build fixtures, jigs, and gauges for production lines.
• Troubleshoot tooling problems during production runs.

Recommended Qualifications

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and GD&T.
• Experience supporting active production lines.
• Bachelor degree in mechanical or manufacturing engineering or equivalent experience.
• Hands-on experience with fixture and gauge design.
• Proficiency in CAD software for tool and part modeling.
• Knowledge of machining processes and tool materials.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with injection molding or stamping tooling.
• Familiarity with CNC programming.
• Lean manufacturing or continuous improvement training.
• Project management experience for tool builds.
• Experience with tool room equipment and repair.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Tool Design Engineer, Process Engineer, Fixture Design Engineer, Tooling Specialist, Die Engineer, Mold Design Engineer, Production Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Why The Pivot Group Network

The Pivot Group Network was founded by manufacturing professionals who’ve been on both sides of the hiring process. Our clients are strategic – they partner with us because they want real insight into their roles and the people filling them, not a stack of resumes. We focus on match-driven placements built around what actually matters: Commute, Compensation, Culture, and Career trajectory. Learn more at https://www.thepivotgroup.org.

The Pivot Group Network offers resources to support your search – market insights, resume feedback, and interview preparation. As our partnerships grow, we’ll reach out with opportunities aligned with your goals. Thank you for considering this approach to career advancement.

Required Skills:

Resume Data Offers Project Teams 3D Support Development Manuals Root Cause Analysis Six Sigma ROOT Analysis Salary Hiring Partnerships Corrective Actions SolidWorks Recruiting Compensation Mechanical Engineering Optimization Manufacturing Specifications Automation Programming AutoCAD C# Materials Preparation Data Analysis Software Documentation Design Engineering Python Science

Salary Package:

$ 71,000.00 – 110,000.00 (US Dollar)