Tooling Project Engineer

Actalent; Mobile (AL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent in Mobile, AL is seeking a Tooling Project Engineer who leads end-to-end aerospace tooling projects, from concept to final acceptance. This hands-on role requires regular presence at client sites and close collaboration with engineering, production, and supply chain teams.

You will manage scope, cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance, review drawings, and coordinate suppliers and subcontractors.

Qualifications

• Experience working on aerospace tooling projects and manufacturing environments.
• Ability to bridge engineering and production teams and communicate clearly.
• Familiarity with DFM principles applied to tooling and aerospace components.
• Ability to read engineering drawings and blueprints.
• Experience with CNC machining is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on aeronautical tooling projects from design review through qualification and final acceptance.
• Analyze technical requirements and specifications and translate them into robust, practical tooling solutions that support aerospace manufacturing.
• Contribute to the preparation, submission, and negotiation of technical tenders, ensuring proposed solutions meet customer and project objectives.
• Prepare and launch projects by defining scope, detailed plans, resources, and project organization in alignment with client expectations.
• Lead project execution from start to finish, maintaining oversight of cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.
• Ensure all tooling meets mechanical, dimensional, and functional requirements, and complies with relevant standards and customer specifications.
• Coordinate internal engineering, manufacturing, and production teams as well as external stakeholders, including clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, including planning, execution, delivery, and project closure, with appropriate documentation and sign-off.
• Monitor and control project performance, including tracking milestones, managing risks, and optimizing resources to meet project goals.
• Oversee subcontractors and ensure their work complies with technical, contractual, and quality requirements.
• Provide ongoing technical support and monitoring for subcontractors and suppliers, resolving issues and guiding technical decisions as needed.
• Support the definition, validation, and implementation of acceptance procedures and technical documentation for tooling projects.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and quality standards (QHSE) throughout project execution and on-site activities.
• Actively contribute to a positive and professional company image through effective customer-facing communication and collaboration.

Skills

Tooling experience

Manufacturing engineering

Machining

Aerospace manufacturing

DFM principles

Ability to read drawings

AutoCAD

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Job Description

The Tooling Project Engineer leads the end-to-end technical and project execution of aerospace tooling projects, guiding work from initial customer requirements and concept development through detailed design, manufacturing, inspection, testing, delivery, and final acceptance. This is a hands-on engineering position that requires regular presence at customer and supplier facilities and close collaboration with engineering, production, and supply chain teams. The role serves as the primary technical interface between the customer, internal engineering groups, suppliers, and manufacturing partners while maintaining accountability for project cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.

Job Title: Tooling Project Engineer

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on aeronautical tooling projects from design review through qualification and final acceptance.
• Analyze technical requirements and specifications and translate them into robust, practical tooling solutions that support aerospace manufacturing.
• Contribute to the preparation, submission, and negotiation of technical tenders, ensuring proposed solutions meet customer and project objectives.
• Prepare and launch projects by defining scope, detailed plans, resources, and project organization in alignment with client expectations.
• Lead project execution from start to finish, maintaining oversight of cost, schedule, quality, and technical performance.
• Ensure all tooling meets mechanical, dimensional, and functional requirements, and complies with relevant standards and customer specifications.
• Coordinate internal engineering, manufacturing, and production teams as well as external stakeholders, including clients, subcontractors, and suppliers.
• Manage the full project lifecycle, including planning, execution, delivery, and project closure, with appropriate documentation and sign-off.
• Monitor and control project performance, including tracking milestones, managing risks, and optimizing resources to meet project goals.
• Oversee subcontractors and ensure their work complies with technical, contractual, and quality requirements.
• Provide ongoing technical support and monitoring for subcontractors and suppliers, resolving issues and guiding technical decisions as needed.
• Support the definition, validation, and implementation of acceptance procedures and technical documentation for tooling projects.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, and quality standards (QHSE) throughout project execution and on-site activities.
• Actively contribute to a positive and professional company image through effective customer-facing communication and collaboration.

Essential Skills

• Strong experience in tooling, manufacturing engineering, machining, or aerospace manufacturing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to bridge engineering and production teams, facilitating effective communication and collaboration.
• Solid understanding of Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles and their application to tooling and aerospace components.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and blueprints accurately.
• Ability to open and view 3D CAD models and use tools such as AutoCAD in support of design and review activities.
• Customer-facing communication skills, with the ability to represent technical solutions clearly and professionally.
• Experience with tooling, fixtures, jigs, platforms, access equipment, or other aerospace manufacturing tooling.
• Machining experience, including familiarity with CNC machining processes and requirements.
• Strong manufacturing and industrial mindset, with practical problem-solving skills in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on aerospace, tooling, machining, or complex manufacturing projects.
• Exposure to aeronautical tooling projects, including design review, qualification, and acceptance activities.
• Experience contributing to technical tenders, proposals, or bids for engineering or manufacturing projects.
• Familiarity with coordinating subcontractors and suppliers in a technical project environment.
• Understanding of QHSE standards and best practices within manufacturing or aerospace settings.

Work Environment

This role is based onsite and embedded at a client facility in Mobile, Alabama, within an aerospace final assembly environment. The position involves regular presence on the production floor, close interaction with assembly operations, and hands-on engagement with tooling, fixtures, jigs, platforms, and access equipment. You will work directly with customer teams, suppliers, and subcontractors in a dynamic manufacturing setting where precision, safety, and quality are paramount.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mobile, AL.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mobile,AL.

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.