Tooling/Project Engineer

Actalent; Plano (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Tooling Engineer/Project Mechanical Engineer in Plano, TX to lead design, procurement, fabrication, assembly, integration, start-up and commissioning of large aerospace tooling systems. You will guide teams, define plans, manage budgets, and ensure on-time delivery with high technical standards.

Qualified candidates have 8+ years in aerospace tooling or heavy machinery, BS in Mechanical Engineering, and hands-on CAD/FEA experience (CATIA V5, NX, Ansys, Femap).

Qualifications

• 8+ years engineering experience in heavy machine design, aerospace tooling, or automation.
• Strong project management including scheduling and estimation.
• Experience guiding technical work in aerospace tooling design.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-term engineering projects from concept through commissioning.
• Coordinate with designers to develop concept models per customer specs.
• Review engineering deliverables like 3D models, drawings, and presentations.
• Travel domestically or internationally for project support as needed.

Skills

Aerospace tooling design

Project management

Leadership

Customer interfacing

Autonomous work

Communication

Travel readiness

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CATIA V5

NX

SolidWorks

Pro/E

Ansys

Femap

Job description

The Tooling Engineer/Project Mechanical Engineer will play a key role in the design, procurement, fabrication, assembly, integration, start-up, and commissioning of very large-scale automated aerospace assembly systems. This position leads engineering efforts to concept, develop, and design both conventional and automated tooling systems and customized machine tools for the aerospace industry, ensuring projects are completed on time, within budget, and to a high technical standard.

Responsibilities

• Lead the completion of long-term engineering projects from concept through commissioning.
• Perform engineering design evaluations and ensure projects are completed within budget and schedule constraints.
• Apply extensive engineering experience and sound judgment to plan and accomplish project goals.
• Lead by example and manage designers, stress analysts, offload design resources, and offload fabrication activities.
• Collaborate with designers to develop concept models in response to customer specifications and define detailed system plans and sequences of operations for bid proposals.
• Define, organize, and prioritize project goals to align with customer requirements and business objectives.
• Provide leadership to ensure design schedules are met and deliverables are completed on time.
• Work closely with the marketing team to support new design considerations and proposal efforts.
• Provide engineering support for new product introduction into manufacturing environments.
• Offer guidance and direction on aerospace tooling design, actively engaging in technical details rather than only delegating tasks.
• Manage and provide feedback to design teams to ensure the quality and functionality of tooling and equipment.
• Interface with customers, respond to inquiries, and resolve issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Build consensus and gain cooperation from internal and external stakeholders to obtain information and accomplish project goals.
• Review and provide independent checks and feedback on engineering deliverables such as 3D models, 2D drawings, and design presentations.
• Take personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, consistently meeting deadlines and commitments.
• Evaluate complex issues by gathering, organizing, and analyzing information to arrive at well-supported outcomes.
• Make timely, informed decisions that consider facts, goals, constraints, and risks.
• Identify problems, review relevant information, develop options, and implement effective solutions.
• Occasionally travel domestically or internationally to customer sites as required for project support and coordination.

Essential Skills

• At least 8+ years of engineering experience in one or more of the following areas: heavy machine design, structural design, aerospace tooling assembly systems, and automation.
• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant aerospace industry experience with tooling design, including the ability to guide and direct technical work.
• Strong project management capabilities, including scheduling, estimation, and requirements management.
• Ability to work autonomously in engineering concept development, detailed design, drawings, and technical publications.
• Experience with CATIA V5 and/or NX, with the ability to work independently in these tools.
• Knowledge of CAD software such as CATIA V5, NX, or equivalent software (e.g., SolidWorks, Pro/E).
• Experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software, preferably Ansys or Femap.
• Ability to work autonomously in jigs and tools, platforms, machine design, integration, and operations.
• Capability to lead teams, manage designers, and provide constructive feedback to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Strong customer relationship management skills and experience interfacing directly with customers.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across engineering, marketing, and manufacturing functions.
• Effective communication skills with all levels of personnel, both internally and externally.
• Consistent, reliable, and dependable work habits, with diligent follow-through on commitments.
• Ability to tackle complicated issues by evaluating and organizing information to reach sound conclusions.
• Skill in building consensus and gaining cooperation from others to accomplish goals.
• Demonstrated ability to provide independent review, checks, and feedback on engineering documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Manufacturing and machine shop background or relevant hands‑on experience is preferred.
• Experience in advanced analysis and stress analysis, with training and the ability to work with support where needed.
• Exposure to heating technologies and controls, with the ability to work autonomously in core mechanical technologies and systems.
• Proficiency with additional CAD tools such as SolidWorks or Pro/E is beneficial.
• Experience working with security‑sensitive projects or environments.
• Strong process‑based thinking and structured approach to requirements management.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead cross‑functional teams and coordinate complex engineering activities.
• Ability to support new product introduction processes and manufacturing integration.
• Comfort with occasional domestic and international travel to customer sites.

Work Environment

This role is 100% on‑site in an indoor office environment. Work is performed in a professional engineering setting focused on automation, factory integration, and tooling solutions for aerospace and related industries. The environment is casual yet highly technical, with regular use of advanced CAD and FEA software such as CATIA V5, NX, SolidWorks, Pro/E, Ansys, and Femap. Employees have access to modern office and engineering tools, and collaborate closely with design, manufacturing, and marketing teams. The position offers a competitive benefits structure through the staffing firm, including one week of paid time off, six paid holidays, and accrued sick pay. Upon potential conversion to a full‑time role with the client, employees may be eligible for a comprehensive compensation package with medical options for employees and their families, a casual work environment, and excellent growth opportunities within a global organization serving major aerospace, defense, and space launch vehicle customers.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plano, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $65.00 - $75.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plano, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Plano,TX.

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.