Tooling Engineer

Job Title: Tooling Engineer / Manufacturing EngineerJob Description

This role focuses on developing, maintaining, and improving cutting-tool content within a Tool Data Management (TDM) environment, ensuring it serves as the single source of truth for approved cutting-tool data used by CNC programmers. The tooling engineer works closely with CNC programmers, machinists, manufacturing engineers, local tooling experts, and suppliers to define cutting tools accurately and make them readily available in the programming environment. The position requires a highly organized, self-directed professional who can establish control, consistency, and ownership of cutting-tool data within a CNC programming organization.

Responsibilities

• Maintain approved feeds, speeds, and other cutting parameters in the Tool Data Management (TDM) system based on released part-qualification results and metallurgical test outcomes.
• Serve as the primary programming and data contact for the implementation of new cutting tools into the TDM and CNC programming environment.
• Track tooling requests from initial identified need through technical validation, TDM implementation, and final availability for use by CNC programmers.
• Communicate proactively with requesting programmers when new or revised tooling is correctly implemented and ready for use in the programming environment.
• Collaborate closely with CNC programmers and machinists to understand tooling needs, current practices, and shop-floor challenges, and translate these into effective TDM solutions.
• Develop, maintain, and continuously improve cutting-tool and toolholder content within the TDM system to ensure accuracy, completeness, and usability.
• Own the day-to-day integrity of established TDM naming and classification structures, ensuring consistency and adherence to standards.
• Recommend and implement improvements to TDM naming conventions, classification structures, and data practices when appropriate.
• Work with manufacturing engineers, local tooling experts, and suppliers to ensure cutting tools are accurately defined and properly represented in both 2D and 3D formats.
• Create and modify 3D cutting-tool and toolholder geometry for use in Siemens NX CAM or similar CAD/CAM environments.
• Apply strong practical knowledge of cutting tools used in milling and turning applications to support effective CNC programming and machining.
• Ensure that tooling data and parameters in TDM support efficient, safe, and high-quality machining processes on CNC machines.
• Maintain a practical, shop-focused mindset with the goal of providing accurate tooling information that directly supports effective CNC programming and manufacturing operations.

Essential Skills

• Experience with Tool Data Management (TDM) systems and tooling management environments.
• Strong practical knowledge of cutting tools used in milling and turning applications.
• Ability to create and modify 3D cutting-tool and toolholder geometry using CAD or CAM software.
• Working knowledge of feeds, speeds, cutting-tool applications, and machining fundamentals.
• Practical, shop-focused mindset with an understanding that the objective is to support effective CNC programming and manufacturing, not just maintain a database.
• Experience working with CNC machines and CNC programming environments.
• Preferably 3+ years of relevant manufacturing experience in machining, manufacturing, tooling, CNC, or an equivalent technical area.
• Ability to work closely with CNC programmers, machinists, manufacturing engineers, tooling experts, and suppliers to align tooling data with real-world needs.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work in a self-directed manner to manage tooling data and projects.
• Experience with Siemens NX CAM or similar CAM software, or willingness and ability to work with comparable systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with Siemens NX CAM or similar CAD/CAM programs for programming and toolpath generation.
• Experience with comparable tool-management systems such as WinTool, ToolBoss, Tool Watch, or ToolHive, or equivalent platforms.
• Exposure to cutting-tool supplier systems and ecosystems, including major tooling brands and their digital tooling catalogs.
• Background in tooling design, including understanding of toolholders, inserts, and cutting-tool assemblies.
• Experience working in a manufacturing, machining, or shop-floor environment supporting CNC operations.
• Familiarity with 3D cutting-tool modeling and CAD software used to define tooling geometries.
• Relevant technical experience in machining, manufacturing, tooling, or CNC operations.
• Strong communication skills to coordinate with programmers, machinists, and other stakeholders regarding tooling implementation and changes.

Work Environment

The role is based in a manufacturing and shop-floor environment that utilizes CNC machines and a Tool Data Management (TDM) system as the central hub for cutting-tool information. You will work with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced CAD/CAM tools such as Siemens NX and 3D cutting-tool modeling software. The position operates within a collaborative team setting that fosters professional development and growth, with close interaction between CNC programmers, machinists, manufacturing engineers, tooling experts, and suppliers. The organization offers opportunities for long-term or direct employment and provides benefits including paid time off, vacation, retirement savings plans, and other comprehensive benefits. The company operates in a high-demand industry with a strong product backlog extending more than ten years, offering stability and long-term project continuity.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Greenville, SC.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $46.00 - $51.00/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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Greenville,SC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 27, 2026.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.