Tooling Engineer - Rockford Area

Tooling Engineer | Rockford, MI

Salary Range: $75,000 - $114,000 depending on experience

Are you a dedicated professional with a passion for designing and improving tooling for manufacturing processes? The Pivot Group is committed to fostering meaningful relationships and supporting career growth. We partner with leading manufacturing companies in Rockford, seeking experienced Tooling Engineers to strengthen their teams.

The Opportunity

We are collaborating with manufacturing firms in Rockford that are seeking skilled Tooling Engineers. These organizations are dedicated to maintaining high standards and are looking for professionals who can contribute effectively. By joining our network, you position yourself for opportunities aligned with your career goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and optimize new tooling, dies, jigs, and fixtures for manufacturing processes.
• Analyze and troubleshoot tooling-related production issues, implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Oversee the maintenance, repair, and modification of existing production tooling to ensure operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering, production, and quality teams to improve tooling performance and product quality.
• Evaluate and select appropriate materials, manufacturing methods, and suppliers for tooling components.
• Manage tooling projects from initial concept through design, build, and production launch.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives for tooling design, fabrication, and maintenance processes.

Recommended Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in the design, development, and optimization of molds, dies, jigs, and fixtures.
• Strong proficiency in CAD/CAM software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Mastercam) for tooling design and simulation.
• In-depth understanding of manufacturing processes such as injection molding, stamping, machining, or casting.
• Expertise in Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T) and metrology principles.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot tooling issues, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.

Bonus Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with toolroom machinery (e.g., mills, lathes, grinders, EDM).
• Proficiency in FEA (Finite Element Analysis) software for tooling simulation.
• Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies applied to tooling processes.
• Familiarity with automation and robotics integration for tooling applications.
• Project management experience for tooling development or modification projects.

Job Titles That Should Apply

Tool Engineer, Tooling Design Engineer, Mold Design Engineer, Die Design Engineer, Fixture Design Engineer, Manufacturing Tooling Engineer, Tool and Die Engineer, Tooling Development Engineer

Why Pivot Group

The Pivot Group 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.

If you're ready to take the next step in your career and connect with a firm that values fit over speed, we invite you to reach out. The Pivot Group 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.