Tooling Engineer

Tooling Engineer Special Projects Division Job Description This role is a foundational position within a new Special Projects division, focused on ambitious R&D initiatives and supporting new business opportunities with deep engineering expertise. As a Tooling Engineer, you design, develop, and implement precision tooling systems that enable efficient, high-quality, large-scale manufacturing. You collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to create innovative tooling solutions for large parts and assemblies, emphasizing performance, reliability, and scalability. You contribute both hands-on technical work and strategic input to support new production capabilities and continuous improvement across the tooling lifecycle. Responsibilities

- Design structural and mechanical tooling to support large components and complex assemblies in large-scale manufacturing environments.
- Collaborate closely with engineering teams and external vendors to build, source, and implement robust tooling systems.
- Partner with technicians and manufacturing teams to ensure proper installation, setup, and safe use of tooling on the production floor.
- Support testing and validation activities to confirm tooling performance under real-world operating conditions.
- Drive continuous improvement of tooling designs and processes across the production lifecycle, incorporating feedback from manufacturing and quality teams.
- Provide clear documentation for tooling designs, operating procedures, and maintenance requirements.
- Offer technical guidance and support to internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure effective use and integration of tooling systems.
- Contribute to prototyping efforts by developing and iterating tooling concepts that enable new products and processes.
- Apply FEA and static analysis methods to validate tooling designs for high-load and high-temperature environments.
- Participate in multidisciplinary project discussions, providing strategic input on tooling requirements for new production capabilities.

Essential Skills

- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and how tooling supports product quality and production efficiency.
- Experience designing tooling systems for complex or large-scale parts and assemblies, including applications in machining and welding.
- Hands-on experience contributing to both prototyping and continuous improvement initiatives in a manufacturing or R&D setting.
- Demonstrated ability to perform finite element analysis (FEA) and static analysis to validate tooling under real-world conditions.
- Proficiency with 3D modeling and simulation tools such as SolidWorks, CATIA, NX, or ANSYS.
- Knowledge of material selection and fabrication techniques suitable for high-load and high-temperature environments.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, manufacturing, and vendor teams to implement tooling solutions.
- Strong technical documentation skills to capture tooling designs, procedures, and best practices clearly and accurately.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

- Bachelors degree in Engineering, Aerospace, Physics, or a related STEM field.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret data and make informed design decisions.
- Clear and effective communication skills for working with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
- Proven problem-solving abilities, with a track record of resolving complex technical and manufacturing challenges.
- Comfort working in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments with evolving priorities and project scopes.
- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including design, quality, and automation engineering.
- Familiarity with ITAR-related work environments and the ability to meet applicable U.S. Government export regulation requirements.

Work Environment You work in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary engineering environment that blends ambitious R&D projects with large-scale manufacturing operations. The role involves close collaboration with design, manufacturing, quality, and automation teams, as well as external vendors and partners. You regularly use advanced engineering software tools such as NX, CATIA, SolidWorks, and ANSYS for 3D modeling, simulation, and FEA, and you support tooling implementation on the production floor alongside technicians and manufacturing personnel. The environment emphasizes innovation, reliability, and scalability of tooling solutions, with a strong focus on continuous improvement and rigorous validation under real-world conditions. Dress code and day-to-day routines are aligned with a professional engineering and manufacturing setting, where safety, clear communication, and adaptability to changing priorities are essential.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Torrance, CA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $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 Torrance, CA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Torrance,CA. 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 [email protected] 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.