Tooling Engineer - Paw Paw Area

the-pivot-group-careers; Paw Paw (MI); On-site; USD 73,000 - 112,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pivot Group Network is partnering with Paw Paw-based manufacturers to source Tooling Engineers who design, develop and optimize tooling for manufacturing processes. This role emphasizes collaboration with production and design teams to ensure cost-effective and manufacturable tooling solutions.

Qualified candidates bring 5+ years in tooling design within manufacturing, strong CAD/CAM skills (SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD), and a solid grasp of stamping, injection molding, and CNC processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of tooling design, development, and optimization within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in CAD/CAM software (SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, AutoCAD) for tool design and analysis.
• Strong understanding of stamping, injection molding, CNC machining, and associated tooling requirements.
• Experience with tool life management, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting tooling issues.
• Knowledge of GD&T principles and their application in tooling design and inspection.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize tooling for manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with production and design teams to ensure manufacturability and cost-effectiveness of tools.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for tooling-related issues.
• Manage tooling lifecycles, including procurement, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
• Develop and maintain tooling documentation, specifications, and CAD models.
• Evaluate new tooling technologies and materials for potential application in production.

Skills

CAD/CAM software

GD&T

Root cause analysis

Tooling design

Manufacturing processes knowledge

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

CATIA

AutoCAD

Job description

Tooling Engineer | Paw Paw, MI

Salary Range: $73,000 - $112,000 depending on experience

Are you a meticulous professional with a passion for designing and improving tooling for manufacturing processes? The Pivot Group Network, a West Michigan manufacturing-focused recruiting group, is dedicated to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We are collaborating with companies in Paw Paw seeking experienced Tooling Engineers.

We are building our network of talent in this field across West Michigan and the broader manufacturing region Pivot Group Network serves. 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.

The Opportunity

We partner with manufacturers across Paw Paw seeking Tooling Engineers who want more than a lateral move. These companies hire intentionally, and we connect them with professionals ready for roles that fit.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize tooling for manufacturing processes.
• Collaborate with production and design teams to ensure manufacturability and cost-effectiveness of tools.
• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for tooling-related issues.
• Manage tooling lifecycles, including procurement, maintenance, repair, and replacement.
• Develop and maintain tooling documentation, specifications, and CAD models.
• Evaluate new tooling technologies and materials for potential application in production.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in tooling design, development, and optimization within a manufacturing environment.
• Proven expertise in CAD/CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD) for tool design and analysis.
• Strong understanding of various manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, injection molding, CNC machining) and their associated tooling requirements.
• Experience with tool life management, preventative maintenance, and troubleshooting tooling issues.
• Knowledge of GD&T principles and their application in tooling design and inspection.

Bonus Qualifications

• Experience with CAD/CAM software for mold design and manufacturing (e.g., SolidWorks, Catia, Mastercam).
• Familiarity with various manufacturing processes beyond injection molding, such as stamping, casting, or machining.
• Knowledge of metrology tools and techniques for inspecting and validating tooling (e.g., CMM, optical comparators).
• Certification in a relevant field (e.g., Tool & Die Maker apprenticeship, Lean Six Sigma).
• Proficiency in a programming language for automation or data analysis (e.g., Python, VBA).

Job Titles That Should Apply

Tooling Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Process Engineer, CNC Programmer, Jig and Fixture Designer, Mold Designer, Die Designer, Production Engineer, Automation Engineer, Metrology Engineer

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.